Tag Archives: intention

Who sets your agenda?

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Who sets your agenda?

—Question from a Seth Godin post

Image from Unsplash by engine akyurt

Every day, someone or something is competing to program your mind — emails, social media, expectations, and the endless noise of “urgent” demands.

Pause and ask: Who really decides where your attention goes? When others set your agenda, you surrender the very power that defines your life.

Leadership starts with self-ownership — choosing what matters most and acting from intention, not reaction.

Imagine how different your week would look if you curated it instead of consuming it.

Freedom isn’t found in more time; it’s found in claiming your focus.

Reclaim your agenda. Make it your declaration of purpose, not a to-do list written by someone else.

EXERCISE:

Instead of me offering you a specific exercise here, create one of your own to set the course of your day and all your tomorrows to come.

We’re not just observers, we’re participants — co-creators of tomorrow.

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“We’re not just observers, we’re participants — co-creators of tomorrow.”

—Stephen St. Amant, Author of the Savenwood Blog

Image from Unsplash by Daniele Levis Pelusi

We’re not just observers in this unfolding story of life — we’re participants, architects, and co-creators of tomorrow.

Every choice we make, every thought we nurture, builds the framework of what comes next.

Waiting for “someday” surrenders our creative power!

The world doesn’t evolve without our fingerprints on it. So, instead of asking, “What will the future bring?” try asking, “What future am I building right now?”

Each action, conversation, and invention is a brushstroke on the canvas of what’s to come. Step out of the spectator’s seat — the next chapter in our life isn’t written for us. It’s written by us.

EXERCISE:

Where in your world are you intentional about leaving a mark?

What mindful choices and acts of courage are yours to make to give yourself and others many better tomorrows?

Everyone discovers an extra gear in a crisis

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“Everyone discovers an extra gear in a crisis. The rare skill is accessing it without one.”

—Shane Parrish, New York Times bestselling author

Image from Unsplash by Tim Mossholder

Everyone finds an extra gear in a crisis. It’s almost primal — the sudden clarity, the instinctive surge that lets us move faster, think sharper, endure longer.

But why does it take a crisis to wake up our full potential?

Most people need pressure to feel permission to be powerful. Only the rare few don’t wait for the fire — they summon that energy on purpose.

They act with urgency before urgency exists. They don’t need adrenaline — they have intention.

Mastering that — accessing your “crisis gear” in calm times — isn’t luck or genetics, it’s discipline, awareness, and practice.

The world rewards those who shift early, not only when the road is on fire.

EXERCISE:

Consider reading Wayne Dyer’s book The Power of Intention to access that extra gear. His work demonstrates how intention is a universal creative force where aligned thoughts, emotions, and actions come together to create a more rewarding and purposeful life.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget

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“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest expression is not to just utter words, but to live by them.”

—John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the United States

Image from Unsplash by Donald Giannatti

Words of gratitude fill the air at Thanksgiving, and Kennedy’s powerful reminder urges us to do more than just speak our thanks.

True gratitude is shown through our actions — in kindness, generosity, and how we treat others every day.

This season, let’s embrace gratitude not just as a feeling or a phrase, but as a way of life.

By living our appreciation, we not only honor those blessings but inspire goodness and connection in the world around us.

EXERCISE:

Challenge yourself this holiday season and into the new year to pair every “Thank You” with an intentional act:

Hold a door, give an unexpected compliment, or help with chores — actively transforming gratitude from a word into a living experience.

Make your mood or it makes you

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“Make your mood or it makes you.”

—Shane Parrish, author of the Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Jessica Furtney

Moods are not just fleeting feelings — they’re steering wheels. Left unchecked, a sour mood can quietly drive your choices, color your conversations, and shape how others respond to you.

But when you step in as the driver, intentionally setting the tone, you shift the entire ride. A smile on purpose, a pause before reacting, or gratitude whispered in the middle of frustration — these are small levers with big power.

Your mood becomes a tool, not a trap. The choice is always present: be shaped by circumstance or shape it yourself.

Each day ask yourself: Who’s driving, you or your mood?

EXERCISE:

When negative thought arises, consciously reframe them in a positive way to build emotional resilience and foster a more hopeful outlook.

Leave every place you go, everything you touch, a little better for having been there

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“Leave every place you go, everything you touch, a little better for having been there.”

—Julie Andrews, English actress, singer, and author

Image from Unsplash by Immo Wegmann

Julie Andrews — who played Mary Poppins — reminds us of the quiet power of intentional living.

Improvement doesn’t always require grand gestures. Often, it’s the small choices — picking up something left behind, offering a smile, sharing encouragement — that helps the world feel lighter.

Each interaction is a chance to plant seeds of kindness, respect, or care that ripple beyond us.

What if every day became an opportunity to uplift the spaces and souls we encounter?

The true measure of a life well lived may not be wealth or accolades, but the trail of goodness we leave behind.

EXERCISE:

Where in your life can you contribute your own spoon full of sugar to make the world better and brighter for having been there?

When we embrace our deliberate slow ritual

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When we embrace our deliberate slow rituals, we learn to savor and fully appreciate each tasty morsel of our lives.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

In a world that moves too fast it takes real courage to slow down.

When we choose to move with intention — whether it’s a morning cup of coffee, writing a thoughtful note, or taking a mindful walk —we reconnect to life’s quiet richness.

These rituals remind us that meaning isn’t found in a rush to finish, but in cherishing each step along the way.

Like savoring a fine meal, our days become more flavorful when we pause to experience each morsel fully.

Slow rituals nourish us, offering balance, gratitude, and the calm strength needed for a rewarding and meaningful life.

EXERCISE:

What are some deliberate slow rituals that enrich your life? If you have yet to do so recently, consider adding new mindfulness and self-care practices to the mix.

Discover and embrace the vital elements of the world

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Discover and embrace the vital elements of the world and through diligent focus build a good and meaningful life.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Brett Jordan

Discovering and embracing the vital elements of the world is a cornerstone of a meaningful life. Nature, relationships, knowledge, and purpose are all around us, waiting to be recognized and appreciated.

When we open our eyes and hearts to these essentials, we unlock new perspectives and opportunities for growth.

Discovery alone, however, is not enough. It is through diligent, focused effort that we truly build something lasting.

By consistently dedicating ourselves to our values and goals, we share our lives with intention and resilience. In this journey, every small step counts!

Embrace what matters, work diligently, and watch your life transform into one of depth, fulfillment, and genuine happiness.

EXERCISE:

What are some key elements in your world that can help you build a more meaningful life?

How can and will you apply them with greater intention and diligence in your daily efforts?

When you find yourself at a fork in the road

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When you find yourself at a fork in the road, do you decide or slide?

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Caleb Jones

Today’s quote prompts us to reflect on our decision-making processes.

In life, we often encounter moments in which choices must be made. Deciding involves taking control, weighing options, and moving forward with intention.

Sliding, on the other hand, can lead to missed opportunities and regret by mindlessly staying the course we happen to be on.

Embracing decision-making empowers us to shape our futures and grow from our experiences.

By choosing to decide, we assert our agency and move closer to our goals, fostering personal growth and fulfillment.

Our choices define our journey.

EXERCISE:

Where are you at a critical juncture in your life?

Where can intentional decision making versus passively drifting through life’s choices make all the difference?

“Allocate time well ahead of time.”

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“Allocate time well ahead of time.”

—Arthur C. Brooks, Professor at the Harvard Kennedy School

Image from Unsplash by Luke Chesser

“Time management” is a misnomer. Time flies while having fun, and moves along on its own even when we’re not having such a good time.

I prefer the term allocate, as in today’s quote. It conveys levels of intentionality and prioritization in the way many people try to wisely save and spend their money.

Time is life’s ultimate currency.

We only get so much and when it’s gone it’s gone. Investing this precious resource reminds me of the phrase, Plan your work and Work your plan.

Even when we are not working it seems wise to allocate significant periods of our days to the priorities of family, community, health, and leisure to keep things operating optimally.

EXERCISE:

In what areas of your life would allocating your time more wisely make the biggest difference? What blocks of time works best for you to apply this planning practice?