Daily intentions that will soften your life (and how to easily set them!)

What does it mean to set your intention?

Anytime you focus on the completion of a task or take part in an activity that contributes to how you feel, meeting a personal goal, or fulfilling your purpose, there is a clear intention set behind it. We embed daily intention in our routines in order to define and structure the lifestyles we lead. 
Think about how you plan your week on Sundays. If you have to get up early for work, you go to be at a reasonable hour the night before to feel well rested in the morning.

To reduce stress and weight loss, we are intentional about incorporating fitness and extra-curricular activities into our daily schedules for our bodies to move.  

We carve out time to spend with our families and friends in the evenings and on weekends, because it allows us to create a life-work balance that improves our social life and mental health.

And yes, most people refer to the above as work-life balance, but we should normalize prioritizing our lives first.

Life-work balance – see what I did there!

We should create each action step within the context of intentions. 

Intentional goals precede action plans. 

Daily intentions are subjective and will vary based upon the individual who creates them and what they’d like to accomplish. 
Whether that’s developing healthy habits, setting work boundaries, or simply finding more time to relax, it is solely up to the creator to determine valid reasons for the intentions they set. 

SMART goals are always intentional. 

People don’t set goals just to say they have them, especially if they plan to achieve them. 

When they are specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time bound, the intent is to attain something they otherwise could not gain without a plan.

Daily intentions are webs of action steps that give meaning and structure to our routines. They’re the blueprint to reaching the vision you’ve created for your life. 

Why is setting daily intentions so important?

Disorganization, high stress levels, dead-end jobs, and poor mental health are just a few negative outcomes that may result when setting daily intentions isn’t a priority.

A lack of focus and valid reasons for the actions we take will only lead to a never-ending cycle of repeatedly hitting a brick wall. 

Seriously.

A life without intention is equivalent to going 80 miles per hour on a hamster wheel with no destination in sight or road map to get there.

Sometimes, we need to take a step back and reflect on our choices.

• Why did you accept that job? Does it align with your career goals? 
• Why did you sign up for a gym membership but refuse to change your eating habits?
• You want to spend more time with your family, but work around the clock non-stop. Are you managing your time as effectively as you should?

Setting daily intentions is important, because they contribute to a well-organized, purpose driven life. 

How do you set meaningful intentions?

Meaningful intentions depend on what you want out of life. Consider the following questions:

• What brings you joy or genuine happiness? 
• What type of space or environments do you thrive in? 
• How much support do you need to become the best version of yourself?
• What is important to you?

In order for our intentions to be meaningful, there has to be a self-reflective process that determines the ‘why’. 

You declutter and clean up your living spaces, because it makes you feel better, decreases stress, and improves your mental health.  

I’m sure no one wants to live in filth either, but we add specific activities in our routines that connect with the daily intentions that matter to us.

Meaningful intentions make a deeper impact than regular tasks lists on a to-do list. 

Praying or meditating every morning to grow spiritually and develop a relationship with God is a task created with meaningful intention. 

Following a skin routine every night may make your skin appear less dull and more vibrant. It’s also an activity you may find relaxing that will decrease the effects of aging overtime. 

Meal prepping and taking your lunch to work rather than eating out may assist with reaching your weight loss goals, but will help you stay within your monthly budget as well.

All these things can be daily intentions. 

They require us to make conscious decisions about the activities we engage in and how they will affect us in meaningful ways.

How do I write my daily intentions?

Brainstorm

Daily intentions aren’t effective if they’re written from a negative perspective or simply words of affirmation with no action steps that follow. 

Eliminating self-loathing or self-depreciation statements from your daily intentions is the way to go. 

Try to focus on positive aspects or areas of your life where there’s potential to grow while brainstorming instead.

Take the following example:

A. I need to stop being nosey.

B. I intend to be more present in my daily interactions with others by staying off of my phone.

Example A comes from a negative outlook of ‘self’. Being easily distracted doesn’t mean you’re nosey. Humans are curious beings at birth.

There’s a better approach to setting daily intentions.

Determine the ‘when’, ‘who or what will be impacted’ and/or ‘how’, then create your intention from there. 

When are you most distracted? What distracts you? How will you resolve this problem? 

Now try the following formula:

Positive intention + impact + action

I intend to be more present (positive intention) in my daily interactions with others (impact) by staying off my phone (action).

Check out a few more examples of how to write daily intentions below!

• I intend to manage my time more wisely by setting boundaries at work and at home.
• I will keep a positive mindset every morning by monitoring what I listen to and watch on TV/social media.
• I will increase my self-awareness around others by listening more and talking less.
• I will develop self-love by embracing my imperfections.
• I will lead others by being a positive example.
• I practice patience and kindness with everyone I encounter. 
• My actions and behavior align with my values.
• Today, I will focus on my priorities.
• I will make space in my schedule to tap into my creative side.
• I will establish a healthy balance between work and rest.

 Now you try it!

Schedule time to write your daily intentions

Daily intentions are not thoughts but actions to be practiced and carried out. 

You should set aside time every morning to reflect and write at least 3-5 ways your intentions will show up in your interactions with others and how well you treat yourself.

Writing your intentions should set the tone for your day.

They also play a role in dictating your mood, flow-state, and how you show up in the world.

When we don’t set daily intentions, we struggle with a lack of structure, wasted time, countless distractions, and guilt from less productivity. 

Daily intentions also help us manage our emotions better and navigate issues that arise unexpectedly. 

My daily intentions set the foundation for productive days.

I feel uplifted knowing that I have a guide to follow and refer to before I react or respond in challenging situations. 

Sometimes the mind can be a very cloudy, overactive place that’s unreliable in making rational decisions. 

I write my intentions down to remind myself of the ideal person I’m becoming.

Kind. Patient. Present. Consistently productive… among many other things.

Try to schedule in time and select a space in your home where you can dedicate a few minutes each morning to outline your daily intentions. 

You’ll experience a vast difference in how you feel in no time!

Self-reflect

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

How do others perceive you?

How do you envision your future life?

I would like to become a full-time business owner in a few years in order to experience time freedom. 

It’s obvious that this will require me to set and meet intentional goals each quarter that will push me towards my dreams. 

But, I can’t only focus on where I want to be financially. It’s also necessary for me to reflect on my personal growth.

Emotional maturity, selflessness, and growing spiritually are things that are very important to me.

I’d like to learn how to be content in the present and grateful when I don’t have everything I want in life.

How can I live with less and still be happy?

I’m also selective about the people on my journey. Are they loving, positive, and supportive? Do we enjoy each other’s company? 

It’s important to self-reflect on your daily intentions as much as your personal and professional goals, because they’re all interconnected.

Revisit them daily

Accountability is an important piece of the puzzle we can’t ignore when setting daily intentions. 

After you’ve scheduled time to brainstorm, write, and reflect on areas of your life in need of improvement to guide your daily intentions, there have to be checks and balances in place. 

What good is it to write my intentions every day without applying them in real life?

At the end of the week, revisit your daily intentions to see how they aligned with your actions, values, and daily routines.

How did you show up in the world, in your business, or with friends?

Maybe one of your intentions was to resolve conflict with a forgiving heart or to be punctual and reliable when attending meetings and completing tasks at work. 

While these actions may seem small, repeating them daily will positively affect your character and influence others around you.  

One of my mid-year goals is to be more productive. 

I realized I wasn’t taking advantage of the full 24-hours in the day by being sluggish and waking up late. 

Don’t get me wrong! I used to pride myself on not being a morning person and staying awake until the wee hours of the morning.

I didn’t feel fully energized until the afternoon, which eliminated my morning routine altogether, and by nighttime I felt flustered, distracted, and guess what else?

Unproductive.

After learning the workflow and rhythms in which I worked best, I discovered that my brain was clear and more active in the morning compared to the afternoons and evenings.

To combat this, I gradually began waking up earlier and earlier by getting into bed by 10pm at the latest.

Needless to say, making the switch in my routine was a game changer. 

I got up two hours before my day job started and knocked out my writing goals for the day. 

Starting work earlier also meant the time I allotted my corporate job ended earlier, too. 

This freed up my afternoons to work out, knock out my adulting responsibilities, with time to spare to enjoy life.

One of my daily intentions is to be consistently present in the moment and to not let work consume my life. 

I’m still in the process of making early mornings a habit, but I’m living proof that daily intentions work when you simply follow through.

And I’m sure most people don’t want a hard life, so why not make it softer?

 Here’s a list of some of the soft daily intentions I set to make life a little less hectic and easier.

What are some soft daily intentions to set?

• I will focus only on what I can change now (not in my past or future).
• I will not worry myself with matters beyond my control.
• I will not open myself up to the negative thoughts, actions, or opinions of others.
• My morning routine is the most important part of my day and I will treat it as such.
• I will keep a positive mindset and attitude.
• I will nourish my body with proper nutrients and stay hydrated with water.
• I am not chained to my to-do list.
• I allow myself enough grace to be flexible. 
• God wants me to be where I am.
• I will treat others the way I’d like to be treated in return.
• I will show up in my business and at work to the best of my ability.
• My actions reflect my values and beliefs.
• I always react with kindness and forgiveness towards others.
• I’m responsible for creating my happiness.
• My home is a place of refuge and peace.
• I’m quick to listen and slow to speak.
• I will follow my life’s purpose.
• I create new experiences for myself every day.
• I create new experiences for myself everyday.
• I am grateful for the little things
• I embrace support from my current tribe
• Small moments with the people I love bring me joy.I don’t allow work to induce stress in my life
• I take time throughout the day to slow down and express gratitude.
• I engage in productive activities that will help me reach my goals.
• I will make meaningful connections with those around me.
• My journey is the destination. 

Are you ready to enjoy a much simpler, softer life? Complete our month long Simple Living Challenge as you embark on your journey to slower living!

Meg - Planner Me Up

I teach entrepreneurs how to simplify their life and business with less + own their time and maximize productivity towards their personal and monetary goals.