The Power of Living with Intention

If there’s one thing the past year has taught us, it’s that uncertainty is the only certainty in life. We’ve learned to live with so many questions, and some of the most important ones remain unanswered: When will the pandemic end? And how will it permanently shape our lives? COVID-19 has been a powerful, and often painful, reminder that there are many aspects of life over which we simply have no control. Yet at the same time, it’s encouraged us to more fully appreciate – and focus on – those things we can control, and to be intentional about pursuing what is most meaningful to us.

I try to apply this in my own life. When the majority of Cigna’s workforce around the globe had to begin working from home last year, I missed being with my coworkers in person. I still do. At the same time, there have been bright spots in the midst of the challenges. I’ve appreciated more time for reading, fishing, taking long walks with my family, and being more intentional about having regular family meals.

For me, the pandemic has only underscored the importance of living with intention. By that, I mean identifying what is most important to us – understanding our values and priorities – and making deliberate, conscious choices based around them. Living with intention is creating room in our lives for what matters most. It’s not about setting resolutions. It’s determining what kind of life we want, being aware of how we spend our time, and choosing to spend that time in a way that reflects our deepest values. Living this way brings purpose and meaning to our lives. Without it, we’re in danger of living on autopilot – letting our time and energy get stolen away by the “small stuff.”

Living with intention is essential to maintaining our health and well-being. In my own life, I make it a priority to exercise most mornings. It gives me energy for the day ahead – and it’s a great way to relieve stress. It’s a small example, but living with intention is very much about the day-to-day choices we make, which can have such an outsize impact on our well-being.

I can’t imagine living any other way, because being intentional helps me in all aspects of my life – as a leader, a colleague, a husband, a father, a son, and friend. I’m also inspired by the examples of so many others who rely on their values to guide their choices. Over the coming year, my goal is to share some of these stories and insights in a series of posts I’ll write about living with intention. I’ll look at the topic from a number of different angles – managing stress, engaging with our communities, trying new things, setting and keeping goals. I hope you’ll find this useful as you navigate the continuing challenges of the pandemic – and beyond.

While we can’t control how long it will take to get to a post-COVID world, we can control how we choose to live in the face of it – by pursuing the things that give our lives meaning. In the process, we can improve our health, well-being – and resilience. It doesn’t matter where you are now. And please don’t think that living with intention is about being perfect. Far from it. To borrow a quote from tennis legend Arthur Ashe, the important thing is this: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

I look forward to taking this year-long journey with you.

What are some of the ways that you have already incorporated living with intention into your life?