Live with intention. That’s the phrase my mother told me four years ago when I first decided to take the leap and leave my cozy 9-5 job. Let’s just say, I did not listen to her. I guess I was not ready to change my life at that time. My routine consisted of eating take-out every day, complaining about my job and escaping to Disneyland every weekend to take my mind off of the real world. I was not really doing anything intentionally, meaning my actions had no clear purpose. I wasn’t connected, with myself, the world, or anything. Really I was just sitting idly in my life, allowing things to happen, situations to change, and moments to pass by. Always waiting for something, but not doing anything to make things happen, to change my life.

After my second attempt at being a successful entrepreneur failed I felt like I had to take a step back and analyze my life. Why weren’t things working out? Then it hit me, those words my mom had whispered to me time and time again: live with intention.

What Does ‘Live With Intention’ Mean?

Whether consciously or not, every action you take begins with an intention. Why you’re doing something. Basically ask yourself this: Are you living life? Or is life living you? All those businesses I had created were not done so with any specific intention. All I knew was that I had quit my job and I needed something. But I never took the time to figure out what that was, I just jumped into it.

Learning how to make a conscious intention goes hand-in-hand with living your purpose. As Deepak Chopra says: “When you live with intention, you learn to consciously plant the seeds of your dreams, water them, and nurture them along the way.” This makes for living a much more meaningful life, one that is full and created with your dreams.

Choosing to live with intention can drastically improve your levels of happiness and self fulfillment, it makes your dreams happen and allows you to design a joyful life you love. So I want to share four major tips with you that helped me live an intentional life:

Dream Big!

The first step to living with intention is to let your mind wander. What kind of life do you want to lead? When you’re daydreaming, what are you thinking about? Is it a big fancy house by the beach? Being your own boss? Traveling the globe? You need to know what the end goal is for you to start living with intention.

So let your mind wander. What would a totally joyful, radiant, abundantly magical and love-filled life look like for you? Don’t think about how you’re gonna make that happen, just think about WHAT you want to happen. Don’t open the “how” can of worms or your beautiful daydream will end up a nightmare. Focus on what your dream life will be like, who you’re with, where you’re going to live, what you’re gonna do. Have fun with it and follow your heart. 

Align With Your Words & Actions

Once you’ve got that beautiful life designed in your mind, it’s time to get clear on your intention. Because when you’re clear on your intention, you take inspired action that’s in alignment with your words and actions. You’ll begin to manifest what you want because you’re putting out good vibes that are in alignment with the things you want to attract into your life. You’ll perk up the Universe’s ears with clear actions and words that place your order in the cosmic kitchen.

So with every action you take think about this: Are you really really in alignment? Are you doing things with your mindset set on your dream or are you plowing through your to-do list without really thinking about what you’re doing?

Brace Yourself & Stay Strong

It’s completley normal for fear to poke it’s ugly head and start pestering you. Every time we try to leave our comfort zones we’re stopped at the gate by our old pal Fear. It’s part of the process for self-doubt to cloud our heads when examining our life choices. Know that resistance is a sign that you’re on the right path, heading toward your higher self. If it wasn’t important enough, you wouldn’t be scared.

Take fear as a compass that you’re on the right track. After all, it takes courage to live your purpose, and living with intention is aligning your whole life to that.

Trust Yourself & The Universe

One of the things that has helped me power through my fears and self-doubt is trusting that I’m not alone. Having strong confidence in your intuition and trusting that the Universe has your back is one of the keys to living with intention. Know that you are meant to share your gifts with the world, that as a human of this earth you are meant to live out your dreams. Having the confidence and trusting yourself will carry you through every intentional action.

So trust that you’re doing the very best you can. Trust that your dreams are worthy to be lived and put your intentions out into the Universe. Write them down, say them out loud to anyone who is willing to hear. Share your dreams with others and have unwavering faith that they will come true.

–

Make sure that what you’re doing today is setting you up to be the kind of person you want to be a year from now. So what intention are you setting today that will take you one step closer to your dream?