Being an effective father requires being intentional. Intentionality starts with the basics and is best displayed by living a simple life. In a world that is hectic and hurried and a culture that encourages selfishness and excess, minimalism does not. And in a society that is rushing to gain more, satisfaction with less is counter-cultural.
To live an intentional and effective life as a dad or any other role, we must begin by laying a proper foundation and then add practical steps on top of it.
1st – Lay the Foundation
- Realize that your life is made up of choices
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- Every morning is a new day
- Don’t let your past determine your future
- You have a choice in the matter
- Don’t be stuck in the same pattern of living
- Evaluate the culture that you’re swimming in
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- Life is not lived in a vacuum
- It is lived surrounded by a culture that is moving somewhere
- Living an intentional life will require you to take a step back and evaluate
- Examine yourself
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- Know who you are
- Get a strong handle on your passions, talents, abilities, and weaknesses
- Give precious time and energy to this endeavor
2nd – Add Practical Steps
- Decide to live your life
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- Stop comparing yourself to others
- You were not born to live their life
- There is no sense wasting your life being jealous of theirs
- Determine today to be good at it. After all, you only get one shot.
- Define a purpose
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- Identify what you want your life to communicate and contribute
- Find a passion to live for that is bigger than yourself
- Write it down. It will bring new meaning to your life
- It will wake you from the slow death of only living for yourself.
- Set goals
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- Goals move us and goals shape us.
- Stay focused
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- Turn off the distractions
- Remove nonessential belongings
- Learn from others
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- Successful people are curious people
- Identify people accomplishing your purpose and goals
- Study them and learn from them
The worst thing you could ever waste is your life. Instead, commit yourself to live intentionally and on purpose. Be the dad, on purpose!