Perspective and Intentional Living

Life is not supposed to be easy.

When I say it’s not supposed to be easy, this doesn’t mean it’s supposed to be miserable.

Quite the opposite actually.

I’ve found that when life is too easy, it’s usually miserable.

We weren’t designed to be here and have everything happen for us and only indulge in what makes us “feel good.”

People are unhappy with their lives.

However, when you take a closer look at what they’re doing with them, their filled with distractions.

Struggling through the week while working a job you hate, only to look forward to the weekend so you can get drunk, play video games all weekend, or sit in front of the television and watch Netflix, is not going to give you a sense of fulfillment.

Let me make this clear, I’m not saying that video games, Netflix, or enjoying yourself are bad in and of themselves, I’m using them in the context of distracting you from living a life of fulfillment.

The real magic happens when you start becoming intentional about your life and dictating what happens next.

The first thing that needs to change is your perspective.

Stop looking for “easy.”

Stop getting upset when something doesn’t go your way.

As I mentioned above, life is not meant to be easy.

We were meant to face and overcome challenges.

We have a built-in growth mechanism that needs challenges to grow.

Start looking at life this way.

Change your perspective and expect to face challenges every day.

Look at challenges as opportunities for growth and not an inconvenience because you can’t finish watching your 12 hours of Netflix.

Instead of struggling through the week with the job you hate, only to get to the weekend and completely distract yourself, set up time to work on developing skills that will get you a better job.

Here’s the thing, when you start living with intention and changing the way you think and act, you’re going realize something quickly; you don’t have as much time as you think to accomplish your goals.

Life is short.

Life is extremely short when you start living with intention and stop filling it with distractions.

Before I go into the next section, I want to make it clear that I’m not judging.

I’m speaking from experience.

I used to be the king of distractions.

My distractions were football, poker, drinking, and television.

I wasted years of my life not dealing with my trauma and immersing myself in distractions.

So, this is my attempt to prevent you from doing the same.

Here are five things you can do today to start living with intention:

1) Set Clear Daily Intentions:

Begin your day by defining one or two specific intentions. For example, focus on being present during conversations or prioritizing self-care.

My personal favorite is making sure I get my mind right when I wake up. I do this by focusing on gratitude.

2) Practice Mindfulness:

Take a few minutes throughout the day to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. This can help you stay grounded and aware of your thoughts and feelings.

I will set an alarm for a few times throughout the day to remind myself to practice mindfulness.

3) Limit Distractions:

Identify one distraction you can reduce or eliminate today, whether it’s social media, multitasking, or unnecessary noise, to create a more focused environment.

I turned off all notifications on my phone with the exception of text messages (in case an emergency happens).

4) Engage in Meaningful Activities:

Choose to spend time on activities that align with your values, whether its connecting with loved ones, pursuing a hobby, or volunteering.

Identify your priorities, goals, and actions. If something doesn’t support one of your priorities, then say NO to it.

5) Reflect in the Evening:

At the end of the day, take a few minutes to reflect on how you lived intentionally. Consider what went well and what you can improve for tomorrow.

Reflection is a powerful way to constantly improve. After all, if you don’t know what you can do better, you won’t do better.

To sum it up, you must change your perspective on life.

Life is not meant to be easy and void of any challenges.

We were meant to be challenged so that we can continue to grow.

We are built to constantly grow and learn from feedback we receive through our actions.

Your distractions are preventing your from doing this and they are getting you nowhere.

Once you change your perspective, it’s important to start living with intention.

Don’t just let the day happen to you, make the day happen.

You get to decide how the day will go and how you are going to handle challenges that come your way.

Remember, you have much more power and control than you realize.

Life’s short, start getting after it today.

Stay positive and take action!

As always, your support is appreciated!

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter and I would love to hear your feedback in the comments section.

You can add any topics you would like me to cover as well in the comment section.

If you enjoy my content and want to learn more about my story or schedule a free 15-minute discovery call with me, visit the survivor to thriver coaching website at marktoner80.wixsite.com/survivor-to-thriver.