Being More Intentional in 2023
My word for 2023 is INTENTIONAL. I’ve struggled with putting the rationale for this choice into words, so if you’re still reading, know that this post isn’t about trying to diminish your goal-setting on day two of a new year. Quite the opposite. I hope you set high goals and I hope you crush them!! But I also hope you don’t lose track of the people and things around you in the process.
This year I’m moving forward with a new plan to get me to the next level. And the plan is NOT to set a bunch of numerical goals that I blindly try to stick to – what’s been part of my challenge in the past. I’ve set goals and pushed so hard to meet them that I’ve passed on other opportunities or missed critical moments in time. Instead, this year my plan is to increase both my skill and will to be INTENTIONAL.
More and more – in my personal and professional life – I’m finding these arbitrary numerical goals are nothing more than noise, a distraction from the things happening around us that really matter. Read 20 books, lose 30 pounds, save 40 dollars… it all seems forced, random, and often unimportant. What is important is being INTENTIONAL.
So, what does it look like in practice? I’m still not 100% sure but probably something like this:
1) I plan on being more INTENTIONAL with my time – specifically, who I am spending time with. There are people in this world that bring you joy and energy and people who take those things from you. This is true in person and on these social channels. You know who is who, and if you’re a taker, I don’t have any more time to give you.
2) I plan on being more INTENTIONAL about learning. I learn when I’m out meeting new people and visiting new places. I learn when I listen to podcasts and sometimes even when I watch random TikTok videos. Yes, I learn when I read books too, but to limit my learning to one medium because I’m in some race to read a certain number of books seems shortsighted… see where I’m going here?
3) I plan on being more INTENTIONAL about investing. For me, this is about building wealth AND worth. Generating assets matters to me but so does making a difference in this world. When I get too focused on one and not the other, I start to bog down and lose my joy. Being more intentional about where and how I invest my time, talent, and treasure is the key to maximizing both of these things.
4) I plan on being more INTENTIONAL about producing content. More posts like this one and another randomness are coming soon (stay tuned!) which I hope at least a few of you will find enjoyable and beneficial. I’ve been getting requests to produce and share more content… this is the year it happens.
5) I plan on being more INTENTIONAL about being a better spouse, friend, and colleague. This one really matters to me and probably should have been listed first. I have a strong village and support system that pours into me and lifts me up, but sometimes I take that for granted and am not disciplined enough to stop to say thank you, I love you or let’s get together soon.
There are others, but I’ll save you from a long(er) post. Whatever 2023 has in store for you, my friends, I hope that it exceeds your wildest expectations and that you surpass even your boldest goals.
Forrest
