Be Intentional

To be honest I’m struggling with how to start this post. The topic is clear to me the method is clear and to be honest this is one thing I know all to well. We need to be intentional with everything we do. But what does that mean?

Intentional very simply means to simply do something on purpose, deliberately. In many cases though I’m sure you can say you did not intentionally put on that 30 lbs or purposely set out to do something you were supposed to, or purposely rack up thousands of dollars in debt. Rather these things happened as a result of not being intentional.

There is a reason over 70% of people live paycheck to paycheck and only 44% have $1000 saved up to cover them in the event of an emergency. On the other side, 42% of adults in America are classified as obese. Another scary one for me is that only 22% of Amercians attend church regularly (only 31% claim to attend at all). I can tell you these are not because we are not paid enough, not because someone is forcing those french fries down our throats and not because there is no church around us. Rather we have failed to be intentional in these areas of our lives.

I know, I’m starting off kind of harsh and not doing so intentionally. I recognize fully things happen, medical bills, family trauma, etc., etc. In those cases I totally understand it and empathize with those that have faced that, but it still challenges us to change the course. It is time to recognize our faults, see where we are going, so that we can strive to be better, focus our time and energy to be intentional with our time, moneyand resources we have been given.

I’ve written before and covered priorities, knowing these priorities will helps us to be more intentional. Another way is to know your goals and what you want to achieve. If you have never sat down and thought about those goals, it is time to do so. Without them you are like a ship without a rudder or a child that is so easily swayed by the latest advertisement on the television.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. Ephesians 4:14 (KJV)

Here are some areas we can be intentional and ways that we can hold ourselves accountable to be intentional. I guarantee you if you take these steps you can achieve your goals and change the course of your future.

1. Be Intentional with Your Health: This is everything from your eating habits, working habits, and sleep habits. I’ve been known to be an insane person when it comes to my workout regimen, but not as strong when it comes to my sleep schedule. It is important that we recognize this need as these 3 elements all go hand in hand together. It has been shown if you exercise regularly you are more likely to eat better. Additionally you will sleep better. Then as an added bonus while some may disagree you will be more energize for the day ahead.

2. Be Intentional with your Money: You knew I had to go here… This is why a written budget is so critical. It lets you see what you are spending and holds you accountable to spend according to the written plan. There was a time I used a Credit Card and knew in general what I spent on that card monthly and then paid it off each month. In general, I used quicken so I technically knew what I was spending it on, but I never managed that I could only spend X amount on groceries, Amazon… You name it. Once I got rid of the card, wrote everything down and managed every transaction I now had control. My savings each month immediately started to increase and wow… How did I not have all this extra left before. It all starts with a budget.

3. Be Intentional with God: In my house church always comes first. After all God gave us life, gave us a guidebook and directed us in all that we do. Along with church comes the Tithe, it is the first line item in my budget. It has been like that for years and I can attest I have never outgiven God. Last week, I was responding to a post about Baby Step 2 and church. For me, this is not even a question. I respect the thought process and desire, they are trying to pay off debt and trying to manage their time and wanted to know how people managed all these things. My response is simple, Sundays are off limits for me. In 6 days God created the world and on the 7th day he rested. God gives us 6 days to do what we need to do and asks us to honor him on 1 day, no brainer. God also gave us a guide that we need to rest too. If you are working extra hours, taking on other jobs, be sure to take some time to rest, your body will need it.

I hope these help to give you some clear areas to be intentional with and how to address them. If you know your guidelines, write them down and keep your focus you can be intentional with everything. You will be more energize, less stressed and more focused in your life. I'll leave you with one last quote.

“The busier you are, the more intentional you must be” - Michael Hyatt