We all have the same 24 hours in a day, but how we use those hours can be very different. Some people are able to cram a lot of activity into their days while others seem to coast along with plenty of time to spare.
What makes the difference?
How we prioritise our time, energy and money plays a big role. When we’re intentional about how we use these resources, we can make choices that lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
What’s important to your happiness? What do you want to achieve in life? Answering these questions can help you figure out how to be intentional with your time, energy and money.
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What is intentionality
Intentional living is all about making choices that align with your values and priorities. It’s about living your life with purpose and meaning, and making the most of every moment.
Intentional living isn’t about hustling 24/7 or constantly grinding away at work. It’s about finding a balance between work and play, and making time for the things that matter most to you.
There is no “right” way to live intentionally, but there are some commonalities among those who do it.
Intentional living typically involves setting goals and taking action steps to achieve them. It’s about being mindful of how your choices affect your life and the world around you. And it’s about creating habits and routines that support your desired lifestyle.
How can being intentional with your time, energy and money make a difference in your life
Time, energy and money are three things we all have in abundance. Or at least, that’s what we like to think.
The truth is, we often find ourselves stretched thin, exhausted and struggling to make ends meet. But what if we were more intentional with our time, energy and money?
What if we spent less time on things that don’t matter and more time on things that do? What if we cut back on our spending and redirected that money towards our goals? What if we made a conscious effort to live a more sustainable lifestyle?
These are all things that anyone can do. And while the results may not be immediate, over time, being more intentional with our time, energy and money can make a real difference in our lives.
Some of the benefits of intentional living are:
- improved mental and physical health
- better relationships
- greater life satisfaction and happiness
- increased productivity
- reduced stress
- more free time
Read also: 25 Ways To Make Life Easier For You & Your Family
How to be intentional with your time
Create a schedule
Time management is a skill that everyone should learn. It can be difficult to juggle work, family, and social obligations, but with a little planning, it is possible to make the most of your time.
One way to be more intentional with your time is to create a schedule. This can be as simple as writing down what you need to do each day or setting aside specific times for certain tasks. By taking the time to plan out your day, you can ensure that you are using your time in the most efficient way possible.
Set priorities
If you’re looking to be more intentional with your time, start setting priorities. What are the things that are most important to you? What are your goals? Once you know what the important things are, you can start making time for those things.
Read also: How to set your priorities in life and what should be at the top of the list
Eliminate distractions
In today’s world, there are a million distractions vying for our attention. From social media to work emails, it can be hard to stay focused throughout the day.
One way to be more intentional with your time is to eliminate distractions. This may mean logging off of social media, turning off your phone, or working in a quiet place. By eliminating the things that can distract you, you can focus on the task at hand and make better use of your time.
Read also: How To & Why We Should Be Using Social Media Intentionally
Delegate and ask for help
Another way you can be intentional with your time is to delegate and ask for help. If there are tasks that you can delegate to others, do so. And if you need help with something, don’t be afraid to ask for it.
Don’t waste time on things that don’t matter
One of the biggest time wasters is doing things that don’t matter. Whether it’s gossiping, browsing the internet, or engaging in social media, there are a lot of things we do that don’t add value to our lives.
This might mean saying no to hanging out with friends when you really need to study for an exam, or skipping happy hour so you can get a jump on your work for the week. It might even mean giving up your favorite TV show so you can finally start that side project you’ve been putting off.
Whatever it is, sacrificing the things that waste your time will help you focus on the things matter.
Read also: 12 Needless Things That Waste Your Time Every Day
How to be intentional with your energy
Rest and recharge
We all know the feeling of being run-down and exhausted. Whether it’s from a long week at work, caring for our families, or managing our social lives, there are times when we simply don’t have any more energy to give.
When we reach this point, it’s important to take some time for ourselves to rest and recharge.
One way to do this is to schedule regular “power hours” into our week. During these hour-long blocks, we can disconnect from technology, relax our bodies, and clear our minds.
Read also: 25 Simple 5 minute self care ideas for when you just have no time
We can also use this time to focus on positive self-talk and visualisation, setting ourselves up for a more productive week ahead. By taking just one hour out of our busy schedules to intentionally recharge our energy levels, we can make a big difference in how we feel and function on a day-to-day basis.
Choose your battles
In life, there will always be conflict. Whether it’s at work, at home, or in our personal relationships, we will inevitably face situations that test our patience and drain our energy.
We allow ourselves to get bogged down in petty arguments or we try to please everyone. The result is that we end up feeling drained and exhausted.
A better approach is to choose your battles. Not everything is worth your time and energy. So ask yourself: Is this worth my valuable time and energy? If the answer is no, then let it go and move on.
Set boundaries
Many of us inadvertently give our energy away to people and activities that don’t deserve it. This can leave us feeling drained and resentful.
So what’s the solution? Setting boundaries.
By being intentional about where we direct our energy, we can ensure that we’re expending it in ways that are in alignment with our values and goals.
Of course, setting boundaries is not always easy. It can require saying no, which can be tough for people pleasers. But the pay-off is well worth it. When we set healthy boundaries, we protect our energy and ensure that we’re spending it in ways that are most beneficial to us.
Disconnect from technology
We often don’t realise how much time we spend staring at screens. Our phones, laptops, TVs – they’re all vying for our attention, and it can be hard to resist. But too much screen time can have a negative impact on our health, including our mental and emotional wellbeing.
So what can we do to break the cycle and reclaim our time? One solution is to disconnect from technology.
Read also: Disconnect to Reconnect: The Significance of a Digital Detox
Make a point to put away your devices for specific periods of time each day, and use that time to connect with the people and things that matter most to you.
Whether it’s catching up with a friend, taking your dog for a walk, or simply enjoying some peace and quiet, make sure you’re intentional about how you’re spending your energy
How to be intentional with your money
Create a budget
One way to take control of your money is to create a budget.
A budget is like a map that tells you where you’re going and how you’re going to get there. It helps you to be intentional with your money by setting aside money for specific purposes. When you create a budget, you’ll need to figure out your income and expenses. This will help you to determine how much money you have available to work with each month.
Once you know this, you can start allocating funds for different purposes. For example, you may want to set aside money for savings, investments, and debt repayment.
Read also: How to find joy in frugal minimalism (with 10 frugal living tips)
Invest in yourself and your future
What if we thought of money as an investment? Something that we could put into ourselves and our future? Here are a few ways to be intentional with your money and invest in yourself and your future:
1. Invest in your education. Learning is a lifelong process, and there is no better way to invest in yourself than by continuing your education. Whether you take courses online, attend workshops or seminars, or go back to school for a degree, investing in your education will pay off in the long run.
2. Invest in your health. Your health is your most valuable asset, so it’s important to invest some money in it. This may include things like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting regular check-ups.
3. Invest in your retirement. It’s never too early to start saving for retirement. If you don’t have a retirement savings plan, now is the time to start one. Investing in your retirement will help to ensure that you have a comfortable retirement.
Read also: 36 Simple Frugal Life Hacks: How to Save $200 Each Month
Give generously
Many people think that being intentional with your money means being frugal and living below your means. And while there is nothing wrong with being frugal, it’s not the only way to be intentional with your money.
Giving generously is a great way to be intentional with your money because it allows you to bless others with what you have. It also allows you to build relationships with people. When you give generously, you are showing people that you care about them and that you are willing to help them out.
Live below your means
It’s no secret that money is a major source of stress for many people. And it’s no wonder – with the cost of living on the rise and wages remaining largely stagnant, it can be tough to keep your head above water, let alone get ahead.
One of the best ways to take control of your finances is to live below your means. In other words, spend less than you earn. This may seem like obvious advice, but you’d be surprised how many people operate in the opposite manner. They impulsively purchase items they can’t afford and rack up debt that takes years to pay off.
If you want to be intentional with your money, you need to be mindful of your spending. Ask yourself whether you really need something before you buy it. And if you’re not sure, wait a day or two to see if the urge to purchase fades. You may find that you don’t need it as much as you thought you did.
PIN FOR LATER!
If you’re feeling frazzled and out of control, start by taking a step back and evaluating your current habits. Identify one or two small changes that you can make to be more intentional with your time, energy, and money.
And don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for making those changes – change is hard! Celebrate your accomplishments, even the small ones, and keep pressing forward. You got this!
Read also: 10 Powerful Ways to Build an Intentional Friendship
