By Amy Eisenstein

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Living an intentional life — a life grounded in purpose, meaning, and direction — is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.

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Intentional lives don’t happen by accident. They’re created through reflection, choice, and commitment.

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And because you’re reading this blog, I’m guessing (yes, I know what they say about assumptions) that you want to do good things in the world. You care about your work. You want to grow, learn, and make a difference. That’s why you’re here, right?

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Setting Goals for the Next Decade

Earlier this year, I turned 50. Along with setting goals for the year ahead (hello, New Year’s resolutions), I also set goals for the next decade.

Instead of asking myself, “What do I want to accomplish next year?” I asked a bigger question:

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Who do I want to be by the time I turn 60?

I spent time reflecting, researching, and sketching out priorities for the next ten years — what I want to do, how I want to live, and what I want to have accomplished. Giving myself a longer horizon opened up possibilities that felt both exciting and freeing.

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Living as Intentionally As Possible

I’ve always lived intentionally…

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1. Knowing that I wanted to be a leader in the world of nonprofits, I went to graduate school for nonprofit management.
    

2. After starting my fundraising career in a small shop, I decided I needed to be surrounded by mentors and learn major gift fundraising, so I applied to big shops.
    

3. While raising children, I wanted to have a more flexible schedule, so I started my own business. I read all the books I could on how to run a successful business.

 

Over the past two decades, I’ve built two business, written four books, become a respected speaker, and so much more.

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Space to Accomplish Amazing Things

No matter your age, whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or even your 70s, it’s always the right time to think intentionally about the future. When you give yourself both short-term and long-term horizons, you create space to accomplish truly amazing things.

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Ask yourself these seven questions:

1. Will you stay at your current organization? Or are you eager to explore something new?

2. Are you looking for growth, fulfillment, or simply a raise?

3. What skills do you want to learn?

4. What hobbies or interests have you been putting off?

5. How will you connect with friends and family?

6. How will you improve your mental or physical health?

7. Where will you travel or what will you experience?

 

These questions don’t require immediate answers. But they do require intention.

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A Chance to Look Ahead and Redefine

This year also marked another major transition for me: my youngest child graduated from high school and left for college. Suddenly, I have more freedom.

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My time used to revolve around carpools, schedules, and school events. Now, I get to redefine myself. I’m no longer just a working mom. I’m stepping into the next, best version of me.

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Living an intentional life isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about choosing to move forward with purpose, one thoughtful decision at a time.

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Amy Eisenstein, ACFRE is one of the country's leading fundraising experts. She speaks internationally at fundraising conferences and to nonprofit board about raising major gifts and capital campaigns. As the CEO and Co-Founder of the Capital Campaign Pro, as well as a speaker, author, and trainer, Amy helps thousands of organizations raise significantly more money each year.

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