{Word for 2016} Intentional

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It’s that time of year again – the new year when everyone is making resolutions, setting goals, and choosing a word for the year.

Last year my word was ENDURE. When I chose that word I had no idea how appropriate it would be for the year 2015. Our family experienced so many challenges and changes that year. I don’t feel like I flourished last year, but rather I simply survived. So yes, endurance was greatly needed last year.

As I’ve reflected back on my year spent in survival mode, I am motivated to define this next year by living intentionally. I don’t want to simply survive and endure, I want to feel I’ve experienced a successful and productive year by prioritizing and living with intention.

I’ve determined to be intentional in several areas:

Bible Study and Discipleship

Completing personal Bible study
Having a discipleship time with the kids weekly

Meal Planning and Prep

Planning meals weekly or monthly
Prepping or pre-cooking parts of each meal on the weekends

Monthly Goals

Writing yearly goals
Breaking those goals into achievable steps month-by-month

Establishing Homemaking Routines

Reading some homemaking articles to be inspired and challenged
Create and implement simple routines to add to our day

Planning Homeschool Weeks

Writing goals for our homeschool
Creating a checklist for each child

Reserving Time for Myself

Finding time to read
Making time to exercise

Building My Blog

Reading blog improvement articles and continuing to learn
Planning a blog makeover and redesign

What does it mean to be intentional? According to the dictionary, it is to do things with intention or on purpose. It means knowing why you are doing all the things you are doing. Intentional living is about choosing priorities and then acting on them. It requires forethought, planning, and implementation.

This year, I’m choosing to live my days on purpose.

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

In thinking through my goals for the year and choosing my word, there were a few resources that inspired me. You can see those here:
Own Your Life
Women Living Well

Join me in January as I blog through several areas of my life that need a major improvement overhaul in my quest to live with intention.

Also, pictured below is the course that inspired me to be more intentional this year. This was a great jump start to my new year!