Living with Intention and Staying True to Yourself
Do you ever feel like you’re going through the motions of life, making choices that don’t really resonate with you?
Maybe you’re saying ‘yes’ to things when you really feel too overwhelmed to take on one more thing. Maybe you’re feeling pressure from family or society to do something a certain way. Maybe you’re internally conflicted by fear or guilt. Whatever your specific challenges are, we sometimes do things that aren’t completely aligned.
5 key steps to living with intention and staying true to yourself
In this blog post, I’ll share insights from my recent podcast episode on how to live with intention and remain authentic in your choices. For more detail, listen now.
Understanding the Importance of Authentic Decision Making
I’ve been exploring how we make life choices and what drives those choices. A recurring theme is that many of us often do things we don’t want to do. Whether it’s due to people-pleasing, avoiding conflict, or chasing external validation, these actions can lead us away from our authentic selves.
The Struggle with Acceptance and People-Pleasing
Many of us can relate to the need for acceptance. For instance, Kaitlyn shared in the episode about her struggle with saying no to people because she wants to be liked and accepted. This often leads her to take on more than she can handle, resulting in regret and overwhelm.
Why We Make Decisions That We Don’t Really Agree With:
- Pressure from family or friends
- The lure of job titles, bonuses, or other external rewards
- Avoidance of conflict or uncomfortable situations
We all have moments where we react to life in ways that aren’t true to ourselves. However, by making conscious choices and combining a deep sense of awareness with actionable steps, we can align our decisions with our true values.
Steps to Make Authentic Decisions
Here are five steps to help you stay true to yourself:
1. Define Your Values
The first step to living intentionally is to identify your values. What do you consider most important in life? This process can be challenging because it’s easy to want to prioritize all good values. However, it’s crucial to identify and prioritize the values that truly resonate with you.
2. Identify What You’re Willing to Trade
Achieving your goals often requires trade-offs. It might be time, energy, or even other values. Knowing what you’re willing to give up helps you make decisions that align with your true self.
For me, creating a legacy with my work means I have to market myself, which doesn’t always feel easy. However, I’m not willing to compromise on the quality of what I produce. This clarity helps me stay true to my values while pursuing my goals.
3. Manage Your Time
Efficiency and productivity are important, but it’s equally essential to recognize how we waste time. Spend your time on activities that align with your values and bring you joy. Avoid negative thoughts, unproductive conversations, and mindless scrolling. Instead, focus on experiences that make you feel good and fulfilled.
4. Define Success Broadly
Success is often narrowly defined by societal standards, such as money, fame, or titles. However, true success should align with your personal values. Re-examine what success means to you and ensure you’re chasing your own definition rather than someone else’s.
5. Trust Your Journey
Forging your own path can be challenging, but it’s essential for staying true to yourself. While it’s easy to compare yourself to others, remember that it’s your life and your journey. Trust that by staying aligned with your values and vision, you’ll be on the right track.
Stay True To You
Living with intention requires conscious decision-making and a deep understanding of your values. By defining your values, identifying trade-offs, managing your time, redefining success, and trusting your journey, you can make decisions that stay true to yourself.
If you’re working through a decision and want it to be more aligned with your true self, grab my free resource, 5 Must Ask Questions Before Making a Decision.
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