Lately, I have been discussing the challenges I've faced over the past six-plus months with a good friend of mine. While I have a clear understanding of my goals, there are certain actions along the way that I haven't perfected yet. (Yes, this is coming from a middle-aged guy who has held mid-level managerial roles in the past, haha!) Due to these challenges, I've started to question whether I am still capable of achieving my future aspirations. Direction is crucial, but another vital aspect is, of course, intentional and strategic action. It might sound a bit business-like, but, come on, titos and titas, isn't that a good approach to life?
Being intentional at work.
I first encountered the concept of being intentional from a classmate years ago, around 2014. Back then, I didn't fully grasp the meaning of intentionality, but unbeknownst to me, I was already applying it in my professional life. My primary focus during that period was to fast-track my career. I pushed my limits at work, wearing multiple hats and juggling various responsibilities. My goal was to gain more experience and refine my skills. These steps, although small and nimble, ultimately led to my well-deserved promotion.
Being intentional with your life.
Life after leaving the corporate world wasn't easy. I had clear goals to achieve and a solid plan to execute, yet I struggled to find the right rhythm. It turned into an employment gap filled with setbacks—projects and clients didn't materialize, side hustles weren't generating sufficient profit, and certain plans got pushed back. It seemed like it wasn't the time YET to harvest the fruits of my efforts. This made me reflect on why I didn't have the same appetite for intentional actions in my personal life as I did in my professional life. Curious, I asked a few people around me if they shared the same sentiment, and surprisingly, it got them contemplating their own actions and plans. Here's what they had to say:
Tired from work. Whether stuck in traffic commuting to and from work, making oneself too available at the office, or overthinking about the following day's workload, people I have spoken to expressed a common sentiment – they are simply tired. During their rest days, they just want to chill and avoid over-worrying. We all get tired, and we all need to take some days off to recuperate. However, it's worth considering why not use that downtime to look around and assess where you are now.
Plans and goals change. Another key finding is that life goals change. Experiences, both good and bad, alter your perspective on living. For instance, a friend of mine's dreams crumbled when she lost both her parents. Her aspirations were centered around making her parents proud, ensuring that her actions led to the realization of their dreams. She had built her dreams envisioning her parents being there with her (they were relatively young, around 50-ish when they died). Losing them plunged her into a state of depression, taking a toll on her career and health. It took her two years to emerge from that tunnel. I recall her telling me that after losing both her parents, it was challenging for her to let go of those dreams. She found herself questioning why she hadn't seized opportunities earlier to fast-track her aspirations, and that's why it took her time to put herself together. One thing she shared is that she became so entangled with her old dreams that she forgot about having her own personal dreams. Telling yourself life goes on is different when you actually take actions to change it.
Not having a network of supporters. At work, you have a supervisor to support you. In real life, there's no corporate supervisor monitoring your every move. Everything you do is observed by you alone. Therefore, it's crucial to be honest with yourself. Ask: Am I doing enough? Is this the right niche for me? Am I willing to change? Be a critic of your actions and reflect on these questions. But not to a point when you start self-deprecating, okay?
How to be more intentional this 2024?
Create a goal. Everything in this world is created with a dream, so write down all your dreams, and pick the top ten you want to come true in the next two years. You can narrow your goals too, you can pick the top two to work on for this year, and the most important thing is to include actions associated in attaining that goal.
Embrace a stoic mindset. Accept the status quo and control what is within your reach. Acknowledge that sometimes things won't unfold as planned, and it's okay to feel frustrated. We shouldn't invalidate our emotions, but it's crucial to begin accepting situations and events. Redirect your focus towards actions that can lead to favorable outcomes. Life's challenges can impact our thinking, clouding our ability to make rational decisions. In moments of unclear thinking, the next step becomes evident, leading to our next point.
Establish a safe space. A small circle of supportive friends is better than a network of constant judgers. Surround yourself with good listeners. Verbalizing your thoughts can clear your mind, making answers flow more naturally. Sharing with a group that shares your interests or experiences fosters empathy, making it easier to express what's on your mind.
Select the right partner. If you find love along your journey, seek someone supportive—someone who can calm you, provide a sense of security, and offer logical strategies for executing your plans. (Finding this person might feel like searching for someone with a project management certification—tough, right? Hahaha!) But let's set aside the need for logic and strategy, a partner should be someone who can alleviate your worries and anxiety. If you're in a relationship but lack the support you need, consider moving on. You don't need the extra baggage on your journey.
Prioritize making time. Time is precious, and if you're not intentional about how you use it, you can't recover it. We all have twenty-four hours in a day—eight hours to sleep, eight hours to work, and eight hours for other aspects of our lives. Additionally, we have rest days and holiday leaves from work. To accomplish our projects, we must allocate time for them. Set specific times in your calendar for tasks on a monthly, weekly, or daily basis. Try searching the trident calendar system by Ali Abdaal in YouTube for tips. Remember, taking small consistent steps is more effective than making inconsistent leaps.
Whip out your vision boards!
Creating a vision board involves more than just pulling out magazines, scissors, and glue. Putting certain projects on hold doesn't signify quitting; instead, it's setting the stage for your next act and the one after that. Direction, making time, and being intentional with your actions play significant roles in manifesting your desires.
So there you have it! What do you feel about intentionality? I'd love to hear your thoughts, write your comments down below. Kindly share this blog to your friends who might find this helpful.
May we all manifest our dreams for 2024!
Tito Gary xxx
