Intentional Living: How to Set Aligned Goals That Reflect Your True Self

Look, it’s way too easy to sleepwalk through life—doing all the things you should be doing while secretly feeling like something’s missing. That’s where intentional living comes in. Living intentionally means waking up, getting off autopilot, and designing a life that feels like it actually belongs to you.

Here’s the deal: if you’re tired of just going through the motions and you are finally ready to start living on purpose, it’s time to get clear on what you want and go after it. And guess what? Goal-setting isn’t just about ticking off a list—it’s about creating goals that light you up and reflect your authentic, messy, beautiful self.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to set aligned goals and how to use a vision board as a visual game plan. So, get comfy, ditch the perfectionism, and let’s get intentional. Are you ready?

Sunset in background with letter cubes that say "Intention Matters". Script underneath the blocks says "Are you living an intentional life, or just letting it happen to you?"

Why Intentional Living is the Secret to a Meaningful Life

Here’s the truth (that I learned the hard way): without intentionality, life can feel like one long treadmill—lots of effort but zero real progress. Days blur into weeks, weeks blur into years, and before you know it, you’re asking yourself, What have I been doing all this time?

Intentional living puts you back in the driver’s seat so you can stop spinning your wheels and start moving toward what feels right for you.

When you live intentionally, you:

  • Feel Aligned: Your actions reflect your values, not someone else’s expectations.
  • Stay Motivated: You focus on what matters most, not random distractions.
  • Experience Fulfillment: You start living a life that feels purposeful and satisfying.

Trust me, I’ve been there—caught in the hamster wheel of doing what’s expected, without stopping to ask, Do I even want this? If you follow my FB page, you know I spent decades letting other people dictate my life and tell me who I was supposed to be.

Once I started living intentionally, things changed dramatically. I stopped chasing other people’s version of who I was supposed to be and started creating a life that felt like mine.

I finally realized that it’s not about being perfect, and it’s definitely NOT about being what someone else thinks you should be. It’s about being present and choosing what matters. It’s about defining your life for yourself and being true to who you really are.

How to Set Aligned Goals for Intentional Living

Let’s get real: setting random goals just to say you have goals isn’t going to cut it. That’s why I hate New Year’s resolutions.

The key to intentional living is setting aligned goals—the kind that feels so right that they actually make you want to get up and do the work. Here’s how to set goals that reflect you, not some outdated idea of who you should be.

Reflect on Your Core Values

Your values are your personal compass, and you’ll always feel off if you’re setting goals that don’t match them. So, before you start listing a bunch of “should” goals, ask yourself:

  • What do I admire most in others?
  • What makes me feel lit up and alive?
  • What do I want to prioritize in this phase of my life?

Here’s the thing: when your goals align with your values, they stop feeling like chores and start feeling like the stepping stones to the life you actually want.

For example, if one of your core values is freedom, a goal like “start my own business” might feel aligned, while “climb the corporate ladder” might feel like a trap.

Envision Your Ideal Future

You can’t create a life you love without first knowing what that life looks like. So, take a moment and dream a little—where are you, what are you doing, and who’s around you?

Write it all down. Then look for the patterns because those dreams? They’re pointing you toward what you truly want.

PINR Tip: If this feels overwhelming, start small. What would your perfect day look like? Sometimes, starting with the little stuff makes the big picture come into focus.

Write Goals that Excite You

If your goals don’t make you feel nervous or excited, they’re probably not big enough. The best goals stretch you just enough to challenge you without feeling impossible.

Use the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to create actionable goals you can track.

Instead of setting a vague goal like “get healthier,” try something specific, like “attend a yoga class twice a week for three months.” See the difference? The second one is clear, doable, and actually motivating.

Break Goals into Bite-Sized Steps

Big goals can feel overwhelming, so breaking them down into bite-sized steps is key. When you focus on one step at a time, you’ll be surprised how quickly you make progress—and before you know it, you’ll have reached your goal!

So, if your goal is to learn to love yourself, your first steps might include starting a daily gratitude journal, practicing mirror affirmations, or setting a boundary with someone who drains your energy.

In this way, you are working towards the larger goal of loving yourself by focusing on smaller, more attainable steps.

Set Milestones and Celebrate Progress

I am a huge believer in celebrating your progress. Progress isn’t always about reaching the finish line—it’s about acknowledging every step forward. Set milestones along the way, and remember to celebrate those wins, no matter how small!

Practical Tips for Staying Aligned with Your Goals

  1. Daily Reflection: Start or end your day by revisiting your goals. Ask yourself, “What’s one thing I can do today to move closer?”
  2. Declutter Your Priorities: Get comfortable saying no to commitments or distractions that don’t align with your values.
  3. Reassess Regularly: Life changes, and so do you. Make it a habit to review your goals and ensure they still reflect your true self.

Your Vision in Action: A Simple Way to Stay Focused

Here’s the thing: a vision board isn’t just a pretty collage—it’s a visual reminder of your goals and dreams right there in front of you every day. It helps keep your intentions fresh and your motivation high.

A vision board can:

  • Keep Your Goals Front and Center: Seeing your dreams every day makes it harder to forget them.
  • Provide Inspiration: On tough days, it’s a reminder of why you’re doing the work.
  • Foster Clarity: The process of choosing images forces you to get clear on what you really want.

Ready to create a vision board that actually works? I’ve got you covered—my next article will give you the full breakdown, step by step. Stay tuned!

Take It Further with My Free 5-Day Reboot

Ready to take the first step toward living intentionally? I’ve created The 5-Day Reboot: Release the Old, Reclaim You, and Create a Clear Vision for Your Year Ahead, packed with powerful prompts to help you reconnect with who you are, clarify what truly matters to you, and start setting aligned goals with confidence.

Start Living the Life You Want

I want to remind you that intentional living isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up and choosing what matters to you. When you set goals that feel right and keep your vision in mind, you take tangible steps toward a life that feels like yours.

Whether you start small by writing in your journal, setting one simple goal, or putting together a vision board, the important thing is to begin. The life you want is closer than you think—go for it! I believe in you!

With Love and Acceptance,

Teresa

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