(Stick With The Plan, Not Your Mood | Part Two)

In a previous blog post, I discussed the concept of turning 21 again (if you need clarification on what I’m talking about, please go back and read that post). However, now that I am in the midst of beginning this new Journey I find myself really connecting with a quote:

“Stick with the plan, not the mood.” Stick to the plan, not the mood refers to the idea of following your set of goals, regardless of your fluctuating emotions or circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of discipline, consistency, and commitment over-reliance on feelings or temporary states of mind.

This concept is important to me because it’s something I truly do relate to. No matter how I felt throughout my years the goals have always stayed the same and unaccomplished. This realization brought me to a space where now I’m able to sit in silence and stillness and really think of this plan I’m supposed to be adhering to. Like I said before my goals have always been the same yet unaccomplished and I’ve been blaming my emotional state for my lack of accomplishments. I do let my feelings sway my decisions at the moment. Well, all that stops now here and today.

Living Intentionally: A Guide to a Fulfilling Life

In a world that often pulls us in many directions, living intentionally allows us to focus on what truly matters. It’s about making conscious choices that align with our values and goals, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This blog post will provide a plan for living intentionally, with sections on resilience, discipline, consistency, and emotional regulation!

Let’s First Focus On Living Intentionally!

To live intentionally, focus on identifying your core values, set clear goals, practice mindfulness, declutter your space, be deliberate with your time, cultivate gratitude, and make conscious decisions about how you spend your energy across different aspects of life, including your relationships and the activities you do. 

Key practices for intentional living: 

• Define your values: Understand what truly matters to you in life and guide your actions based on those values. 
• Set clear goals: Establish specific, measurable goals that align with your values and aspirations. 
• Practice mindfulness: Incorporate meditation or other mindfulness techniques to be present in the moment and make conscious decisions. 
• Declutter your space: Remove physical clutter that doesn’t add value to your life, creating space for what truly matters. 
• Plan your days: Intentionally schedule your time to prioritize your goals and activities. 
• Cultivate gratitude: Regularly reflect on the positive aspects of your life to enhance your sense of fulfillment. 
• Be deliberate with your relationships: Choose to invest your time and energy in meaningful connections. 
• Limit distractions: Minimize distractions that pull you away from your focus and intentions. 
• Reflect regularly: Periodically assess your life and adjust your goals and priorities as needed. 

Now let’s make this a true plan! The first task is to sit down with paper and pen And write all your goals and desires.

Try to think from a position of being 89 years old. What are some of the goals and desires that you would be devastated that you didn’t accomplish by that age then write it down. This is how you get your plan. Remember it’s okay for your plan to change. It’s okay for you to add things and take things away whenever you see fit. The most important thing is that you have a plan. Define your plan. Take a week. Think about your favorite childhood activities. Think about anything and everything that makes you light up. Write down your passions interest and concerns. Ponder them and then make a concrete plan. This should be physical. This can be done by a vision board, writing it down on a sticky note, or having a printed document any way that you see fit so that it’s easily available at any time of the day.

The Importance of Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges and setbacks. It’s about maintaining a positive outlook and adapting in the face of adversity. Living intentionally requires resilience because challenges are inevitable. When we encounter obstacles, resilience helps us stay committed to our intentions and goals.

Being resilient means

– Adapting: Finding new ways to approach problems instead of giving up.

– Learning: Gaining insights from failures and using them to grow.

– Persevering: Staying focused on your purpose, even when the going gets tough

Building resilience is essential for sustaining an intentional life. It empowers you to navigate difficulties while maintaining your focus on what truly matters to you

 Understanding Discipline and Consistency

Discipline is the practice of training oneself to act in accordance with certain rules or a code of behavior, often involving self-control. Consistency is the quality of achieving a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time. Together, discipline and consistency are crucial for living intentionally, as they guide our daily actions toward our long-term goals

Why Discipline and Consistency Matter

– They Build Habits: When you consistently practice discipline, you develop habits that align with your intentions.

– They Foster Growth: Regular, disciplined actions lead to personal development and self-improvement over time.

– They Enhance Focus: Discipline narrows your focus, allowing you to prioritize what matters most and avoid distractions

Emotional regulation

Emotional regulation is the ability to manage and respond to your emotional experiences in a healthy way. It involves recognizing your emotions, understanding their impact, and choosing how to express them. Here are the top 10 tips for emotional regulation, along with ways to personalize your practices

1. Practice Mindfulness: Take a few moments each day to be present. This can help you become more aware of your emotions and how they affect you

2. Identify Triggers: Keep a journal of situations that trigger strong emotions. Understanding your triggers allows you to prepare and respond more effectively

3. Develop Healthy Outlets: Engage in activities that help you process emotions, such as exercise, art, or talking to a friend

4. Use Breathing Techniques: Practice deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind and body during emotional distress

5. Create a Positive Environment: Surround yourself with supportive people and uplifting spaces to foster a positive emotional state

6. Set Boundaries: Learn to say no when necessary. Protecting your emotional well-being is crucial for maintaining balance

7. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself during difficult times. Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel emotions without judgment

8. Establish Routines: Create daily routines that incorporate time for self-care, reflection, and emotional check-ins

9. Seek Professional Help: Consider talking to a therapist or counselor if you find it challenging to manage your emotions alone

10. Personalize Your Techniques: Experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you.

To emotionally regulate you can start by identifying and minimizing your personal triggers by practicing mindfulness and deep breathing exercises. Accept your emotions, and use cognitive reappraisal to reinterpret the situations you find yourself in.

If you are feeling isolated or alone it’s important to seek support from others or simply just engage in positive self-talk to oneself. Actively naming your emotions when feeling overwhelmed helps you become aware of your emotions and the way you are responding to them. Which should be done slowly and healthily rather than reacting impulsively. 

Here are some key strategies to emotionally regulate.

• Mindfulness: Pay attention to the current moment without judgment, observing your thoughts and feelings as they arise. 
• Deep breathing: Use controlled breathing exercises to calm your body and mind when feeling overwhelmed. 
• Identify triggers: Recognize situations or people that often provoke strong emotional responses. 
• Cognitive reappraisal: Defame a stressful situation by looking at it from a different perspective to reduce its emotional impact. 
• Label your emotions: Actively name the emotions you are experiencing to better understand and manage them. 
• Positive self-talk: Use encouraging internal dialogue to combat negative thoughts 
• Physical activity: Engage in exercise to release tension and improve mood 
• Seek support: Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your feelings 
• Time-outs: Take a short break from a stressful situation to regain composure.

Living intentionally is a journey that requires resilience, discipline, and emotional regulation. By understanding and embracing these concepts, you can create a fulfilling life aligned with your values and goals. Being a living example of sticking to the plan, not your mood.

Implementing these tips for emotional regulation will empower you to navigate life’s ups and downs while staying true to your intentional living plan. Remember, it’s about progress, not perfection, as you cultivate a life that reflects your true self.

It’s Time to Win!