The Art of Intentional Living

Our lives, careers, and businesses are the cumulative result of every decision we make. We are, to put it simply, the sum of our choices. While this idea might seem obvious, living with this truth requires a constant state of intentionality, a powerful entrepreneurial mindset that separates the ambitious from the merely hopeful. It’s a mindset that allows us to look at our actions and understand their consequences, whether good or bad.

One of the most relatable examples of a small choice having a big consequence is the battle with late-night television. We tell ourselves, "Just one more episode," but that small decision can lead to us getting only a couple of hours of sleep before we have to go to work. The result? We're dragging all day, unable to focus, and the people around us don’t get the best of us because we wasted our best time watching Netflix. This isn’t just about TV; it’s about a lack of intentionality. If we want to pass an exam, we have to study. If we don’t study, we don’t pass. The equation is simple, but we often fail to connect the dots in our day-to-day lives.

This level of intentionality becomes even more critical when we transition from being an employee to a business owner. As an employee, you clock in and clock out, and you know you're going to get a paycheck at the end of the day. The stress you experience is often tied to a specific project or task. But as a business owner, everything falls on you. There's a base level of anxiety that you carry around even when things are going great. It’s a constant state of responsibility. You are worried about growth, retaining employees, and so many other things. It's a truth that many aspiring entrepreneurs miss: you don’t know till you know. When you become an owner, you have to eat it if things go wrong.

This underlying stress is why many people underestimate the time and emotional commitment required to build a business. They come into it thinking they’ll have more time and be their own boss, but they often end up working for the business instead of having the business work for them. It's a common trap that requires a conscious effort to navigate. You have to force yourself to stick to a schedule and set boundaries; otherwise, ten years will go by, and you'll still be slaving like a dog.

So, what’s the strategy for navigating this? The key is to focus on what you can control. There are so many things in life we cannot control from the actions of others to external circumstances. But by focusing on the things we can control, we can significantly reduce our stress. For the things we can’t control, we must devise a plan to mitigate them.

This is where a strong support system and network come into play. Your network is a crucial part of what you can control. You have to be intentional about who you surround yourself with. It’s important to understand the different types of people in your life and what role they play. If you want to talk business, you go to your business friends. If you need to blow off steam, you go to your friends who are there for that. The art of networking is about building genuine relationships and finding ways to add value to others, not just seeing what they can do for you. By operating from a place of service, people will be ready to help you when you need it because they know the type of character you have.

The final piece of this Strategic Navigation puzzle is to stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. Anticipate the ups and downs that will inevitably come. Don’t wait for an opportunity to do something and then have to get ready for it. A proactive mindset allows you to think ahead, identify potential problems, and have a solution prepared. This is the essence of building a future-proof life and career.

 Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/Pt3LyoTwk2o