A few weeks ago, I was scrolling on YouTube trying to find a video about New Year’s resolutions or goals that wasn’t corny or cliché. I stumbled across a video by the author Ryan Holiday, where he talks about picking one word to be your motto for the year, something to shape the way you act and behave.
My word is “intentional.”
I believe that in this hectic, stressful college life, we’re often living on autopilot. Autopilot at work, during lectures, while studying, and even in our interpersonal relationships.
So I am making a conscious effort this year to be more intentional with my focus, my time, and my behaviour.
Here’s how, and why.
Intentionality equals more productivity. One way that unintentional behaviour, or not thinking before I act, manifests in my personal life is doom-scrolling. Something that was not an issue, or even a phrase, 20 years ago is now one of the biggest threats to productivity and completing the work that needs to be done.
When one acts intentionally, they think before opening up social media, especially when there’s work to complete. In the spirit of transparency, this is still a work in progress for me.
Being intentional with your time can look like planning your study schedule and your social life. So far, this has helped me accomplish more by designating time to do focused work, as well as chances to fill my cup with social interaction to avoid burnout.
Being intentional about your actions forces you to prepare and have a plan. I find this relevant with the upcoming career fairs that Camosun is putting on.
Networking for the sake of networking is good, but networking intentionally, with a printed resume and prepared questions, could get you even further.
Finally, being intentional in relationships—platonic, romantic, familial. Planning events and things to do helps to make better use of time together, and creates a deeper, more authentic connection than unplanned hangouts where you just sit in the same room on your separate devices.
So, I challenge you, the person who is intentionally taking time out of their hectic life to read this. Apply it. Act more intentionally, if even for a short period, and see if you notice a change.