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5 POWERFUL WAYS TO BECOME MORE INTENTIONAL IN YOUR LIFE & CAREER

In a world with pressing responsibilities and a culture that often celebrates hustle and busyness, it’s easy to get caught up in the current of life, drifting from one thing to the next without really questioning whether it’s what you want. I’ve lived that life — I’ve worn many hats, from events planner and marketing manager to business owner and deputy mayor, and lots in between. The truth is, drifting is easy. But without intention, we risk ending up somewhere we never wanted to be.


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What Is Intention? And Why Does It Matter?


Intention isn’t about making a to-do list or setting vague goals. It’s the deliberate act of aligning your actions with your values and your desired life. To live and work with intention means taking control of your decisions, knowing why you’re doing something, and understanding the impact it will have not only on your career but on every part of your life.


Without intention, you’re just reacting to what life throws at you. But when you’re intentional, you design your life based on what matters most to you. It’s about crafting your journey, not just following a path that happens.


The American Psychological Association notes that people who set clear intentions and goals are more likely to find purpose in their daily lives, and research shows they experience lower levels of stress and higher levels of life satisfaction.


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The Cost Of Drifting: Lessons From My Journey

For years, I dabbled in role after role — events planner, music publicist, political campaign manager, arts marketing manager, copywriter, PR writer and even co-author of a business textbook. Each job brought something — some learning, some joy — but many of them? They didn’t connect with the bigger life I wanted to live. I didn’t realize how much stress and frustration were seeping into my health, family, and relationships because of the lack of alignment between my work and my values.


It wasn’t until nearly 40(!) that I got intentional about my career. When I stepped into roles like deputy mayor, university teacher and coach, I was deliberate about those choices. These weren’t just jobs — they were roles that aligned with my purpose, fueled my passion for helping others, and gave me the fulfillment I had been seeking all along.


The Power Of Living With Intention: Why It Changes Everything

Being intentional changes everything. When you’re intentional, you stop letting life happen to you and start designing it in a way that fuels you. You become the creator of your journey instead of just a passenger. The ripple effects are profound. You not only find more joy in your work, but your health improves, your relationships deepen, and you wake up each day with a sense of clarity and purpose.


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5 Powerful Ways To Boost Intention In Your Career And Life


Now that we know why intention matters, how do we actually live and work with more intention? Here are five powerful ways to start:


  1. Get Clear On What Matters To You 

    Before you can be intentional, you need to know what you truly value. What kind of life do you want to build? What matters most to you — freedom, creativity, making a difference? Take time to reflect on your core values and life goals. Write them down. This becomes your compass.


  2. Stop Saying Yes to Everything 

    It’s easy to say yes to every opportunity, every new project or every role that comes your way. But intentional people know the power of saying no. If something doesn’t align with your values or contribute to the life you want to create, let it go.


  3. Design Your Career, Don’t Just React To It 

    Many of us fall into careers by chance, not by choice. To live with intention, start designing your career path. Identify roles that align with your passions and purpose, and don’t be afraid to pivot when you realize you’re drifting. Seek out opportunities that move you closer to your bigger life goals.


  4. Make Decisions With The Bigger Picture In Mind 

    When faced with a decision, pause and ask yourself: Does this align with the life I’m trying to create? Whether it’s a job offer, a new project or a move, every decision you make should bring you closer to the vision you have for your life. Keep the bigger picture front and center.


  5. Regularly Check In With Yourself 

    Being intentional isn’t a one-time act; it’s a daily practice. Regularly reflect on whether your actions are aligning with your goals. If you find yourself veering off track, adjust. Ask yourself: Am I living in alignment with my values? If not, it’s time to course correct. When our actions are out of line with our beliefs, we often experience cognitive dissonance, which can wreak havoc in our lives in the sneakiest of ways.


Statistics On Living With Intention: How Deliberate Are We?

A recent study conducted by LinkedIn found that only 40% of professionals feel their careers align with their long-term goals and values. Meanwhile, the Harvard Business Review reports that 80% of employees feel “overworked and disengaged,” often because they are not in roles that reflect their true values. These statistics highlight just how many of us are drifting rather than being intentional about the work we do and the lives we lead.


Being intentional is not just about career fulfillment — it’s about enhancing every aspect of our lives. According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), individuals who set intentional goals and align their actions with their values report 20% higher life satisfaction and significantly lower stress levels.


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Final Thoughts: Crafting Your Journey Starts With Intention

Intentional living is about crafting your journey rather than reacting to the circumstances around you. It’s about making conscious decisions that align with your values and your vision for the future. When you stop drifting and start being deliberate, you unlock the potential for true fulfillment in both your career and your life.


This journey? It’s yours to design. So, let’s stop accepting things that don’t align and start creating a life and career that light you up.


P.S. If you’re intrigued by the impact of intention in shaping a life you love, you’ll want to check out this week’s Dream Job Diaries. I’m diving even deeper into the importance of intentional choices, from career moves to civic responsibilities. With the U.S. election just around the corner, we’ll talk about voting with intention, the power of knowing why you believe what you believe, and ways to filter out media bias. Plus, don’t miss insights on how intentionality can transform your work, your life and even the choices you make for a better future.


 

Coach Trie Angeleva

Maria Katrien Angeleva, MA, MA 

Certified Coach, Author & Trainer


Dubbed “Professor Dream Job,” by her students, Trie is a former COO and founder of Reimagine Monday. She specializes in helping individuals transform their careers and lives through mindful, strategic approaches. Trie developed and taught career success courses at Indiana University, building on her proven methodology, The Love Monday Method. Her latest release, Launch, designed to help new college grads get unstuck in their search and empower their new career, is now available for pre-order.


With two Master's degrees, a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University, six coaching certifications and a deep passion for guiding new graduates and professionals in their prime, Trie supports individuals in navigating their career paths with clarity and confidence, and is dedicated to helping YOU turn your dream job into a reality.


Connect with Trie at trie@reimaginemonday.com.

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