24 Intentional Living Quotes to Inspire Your Best Life

These 24 intentional living quotes will inspire you to hold fast to your goals to be more mindful and make decisions to live every day in a way that matters… to you, and therefore to those around you.

These quotes about intentional living are the perfect complement to my collection of hundreds of seasonal and motivational quotes.

text 24 quotes to inspire intentional living on white background over image of woman lighting candle

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What does it really mean to live your life with intent? How is it even possible when unexpected things pop up every. single. day. to derail whatever plans you made?

The thing is, intentional living isn’t always about working every single second toward just one goal. It’s about appreciating the good, reflecting that good back into the world in an even brighter way, and consciously choosing our actions and reactions — including how we handle those unexpected distractions.

There are many moving parts to living intentionally and mindfully, but for now let’s get to those quotes on being intentional. Remember to keep reading after the quotes… there are some ideas and resources for how to put it all together.

Be Intentional Quotes

“Choose your intention carefully and then practice holding your consciousness to it, so it becomes the guiding light in your life.”
— Roger Delano Hinkins

“Intentional days create a life on purpose.”
— Adrienne Enns, Intentional Days: Creating Your Life on Purpose

“It takes me living an intentional, mindful, and quiet life to hear or see what’s here. Great art doesn’t necessarily create something new, it helps you appreciate what’s already here.”
— Eric Overby, 17: Haiku Poems

“Also, think about your intentionality – are you getting lost in the method? or coming from the intentionality, the purpose? You don’t want to do the mechanics without the consciousness.”
— Marshall B. Rosenberg


Brene Brown paradigm shift quote on salmon background over image of sunglasses and notepad on white desk

“It’s not about ‘what can I accomplish?’ but ‘what do I want to accomplish?’ Paradigm shift.”
— Brené Brown

“Most people want to hear or tell a good story. But they don’t realize they can and should be the good story. That requires intentional living.”
— John C. Maxwell, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters

“Until we make the unconscious conscious, we will be dictated by it and call it fate.”
— Jerry Colonna

“No, we don’t need more sleep. It’s our souls that are tired, not our bodies. We need nature. We need magic. We need adventure. We need freedom. We need truth. We need stillness. We don’t need more sleep, we need to wake up and live.”
— Brooke Hampton


Michael Hyatt the busier you are quote on pale green background over image of city building with bicycles

“The busier you are, the more intentional you must be.”
— Michael Hyatt, Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want

“Over time, even the tiniest meaningful actions add up, each one bringing you closer to a life that is truer to your dreams and free of regret.”
— Jane McGonigal, SuperBetter: The Power of Living Gamefully


Richie Norton intentional living quote on white background over image of city sidewalk with bicycles

“Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us.”
— Richie Norton

Quotes About Intentional Finance

Intentional living means paying attention to everything we do, including how we think about and handle money — whether it’s finding ways to save ‘little money’ or cut the overwhelm of a no-spend month.

“If an opportunity is not aligned with that matters most to you (your core values), let it pass. The opportunities that don’t make your soul sing, or that you can’t be excited about, just end up taking space where a better opportunity could be. Don’t settle for something fine―wait for something great!”
— Leanne Jacobs, Beautiful Money: The 4-Week Total Wealth Makeover


Terrie Davoll Hudson deposit your best in people quote on blue background over image of bicycle on city sidewalk

“Deposit your best in people, not your bank account, to leave a legacy that counts.”
— Terrie Davoll Hudson

“Impress people by being intentional with your money. It’s way better than trying to impress people by wasting your money on expensive stuff you don’t need.”
— Joshua Becker

Why Is It Important to Be Intentional?

Simply put, NOT being intentional means giving up on our purpose and hopes of building the life we WANT to live. The following quotes drive that point home quite well. 


Kierkegaard dare quote on turquoise background over background of coffee mug on kitchen counter

“To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.”
— Søren Kierkegaard

“Most people don’t lead their own lives – they accept their lives.”
— John Kotter

“Positive thinking is powerful thinking. If you want happiness, fulfillment, success and inner peace, start thinking you have the power to achieve those things. Focus on the bright side of life and expect positive results.”
— Germany Kent


Dalai Lama don't let go of your values quote on pale yellow background over image of wicker basket against wood wall

“Open your arms to change but don’t let go of your values.”
— Dalai Lama

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”
— Oprah Winfrey

“Every action has an impact, choose wisely the impact you want to have.”
— Mindy Hall

“1. Stop.
2. Breathe.
3. Remember what you love to do, and what you want to do better.”
— Julie Hage

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
— Oscar Wilde


Alan Cohen when your intention is clear quote on brown background over image of barefoot legs in white skirt

“When your intention is clear, so is the way.”
— Alan Cohen

More Help for Positive Living and Intentional Goal Setting

Stop Thinking and Start Doing: A Goal Setting Starter Plan

20 Free Printable Gratitude Quotes

Your Key to Success: How to Stop Being Lazy

Ordinary and Extraordinary Mindfulness: What’s the Difference?

How to Use a Dreams and Goals Worksheet to Begin Goal Setting {Free Printable}

What Stress Does to the Body — and How Mindfulness Can Help

More Thoughts on an Intentional Life

So you’ve read the quotes… what’s next when it comes to living an intentional life?

There are several things you can do today, such as:

As you work these things into your daily living, you will discover even more opportunities to pause and make positive, fully-consious choices as you Build Your Best Life.

You’ve got this!


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