A Warrior’s Guide to Intentional Living: Starting Off on the Right Mental Foot

Every year, I hear people setting goals with the best of intentions: “I want to lose weight,” “I want to make more money,” “I want to go paragliding.” By February 1, they’re right back where they started. Water always finds the path of least resistance, and those goals often fall by the wayside as routines creep back in. Let's do something about it this year. Some of us wait for the future, while others dream, plan, and make that future happen. With the new year rapidly approaching, it’s time to knuckle down, level up, and change your language—because when you change your language, you change your life. Intentionality isn’t just a list of resolutions; it’s a mindset shift that lays the foundation for real, lasting change.

From classified missions to endurance races across oceans, I’ve learned that intentionality isn’t just about grit; it’s about clarity. When the stakes are high, intentions must be crystal clear because half-measures won’t cut it. The same logic applies to life’s challenges. Starting the year with intentionality is about more than just getting through January with good habits; it’s about defining a path that lasts. Don’t wait too long to start on the path you want to finish on.

Building Intentionality in Your Life

Intentional living isn’t about planning endlessly or waiting for a "perfect" time; it’s about moving with purpose and aligning your actions with what truly matters. Here are some practical ways to start:

Set Clear Goals with Purpose
Define what matters to you and set your goals with that purpose in mind. Consider the why behind your goals—not just the surface goal of “I want to get in shape,” but something like, “I want to feel strong and healthy to live fully with my family.” This purpose-driven approach will keep you motivated beyond the initial rush of January, guiding you to align actions with intention every day.

Here’s where I challenge you: spend some time looking at yourself in a mirror and ask the hard questions. What matters to you most, and why? What has long-term value versus short-term satisfaction? Ask yourself, “Why now, and what’s going to be different this time?” The answers will be the truth, because last I checked, you can’t lie to yourself.

Develop a Mindset Practice
Changing your language changes your life, and mindset is part of that language. Each morning, take five minutes to visualize your day’s goals and see yourself tackling challenges head-on. In Trident Mindset, I teach a practice called Warrior’s Visualization. Picture yourself navigating the day’s demands with precision and calm. This mental preparation is like warming up before a mission brief or a presentation—it sets you on the right mental footing for whatever comes.

Cultivate Consistency with Small Steps
Take it slow but stay steady. Small steps every day build up over time. Start small—read one page a day if your goal is to read more. Make one healthier choice at each meal if you’re aiming for better nutrition. These small steps build momentum, and they reinforce the habit, creating resilience and confidence along the way.

Shift Fire
Intentional living also means honest reflection. Every so often, stop to check where you are. Reflect on what’s working, what isn’t, and adjust. Life, like any mission, needs real-time feedback. Adjusting isn’t failure; it’s making sure you’re aligned with your purpose and staying on track for the future you’re building. What you did before is what really happened, so be honest with yourself—stop pretending.

Take Accountability
Find someone to keep you accountable. This could be a friend, a mentor, or even a journal where you track your wins and setbacks. Having a way to check in keeps you focused and on track, pushing you even when the going gets tough. Accountability is like having a teammate who helps you stay focused on the path you’re paving.

Take Action

Intentional living is more than lofty goals; it’s about showing up every day with purpose, moving with discipline, and not waiting for life to happen. Instead, make life happen. As you step into this new year, start with purpose, stay disciplined, and keep pushing. Let this be the year that you don’t just set goals but intentionally live them out.

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Coach Chriss