Discover 5 Top Influencers in Intentional Living
How many of these incredible people do you know? I’m going to share the top thought leaders in intentional living that really changed my life for the better.
At the end of the article, you will discover some really phenomenal “real” people who have learned and are continuing to learn how to live more intentionally. As a bonus, you’ll gain some great resources and encouragement!
Note: Many of these folks don’t regularly use the words “intentional living” in their work, but it’s a standout focus of their content.
You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.
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Ready? Let’s dive in!
Leader #1: Rachel Macy Stafford, handsfreemama.com
When I read Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford, I found a kindred spirit.
Rachel led a previously over-committed life that made her miss out on the best things. She sought to become a “hands free mama” by shifting her focus from to-do’s and technology to focusing on relationships.
As she puts it,
I want to make memories, not to-do lists. I want to feel the squeeze of loving arms, not the pressure of over-commitment. I want to get lost in conversation with my favorite people, not consumed in a sea of unimportant emails. I want to be overwhelmed by sunsets that give me hope, not by overloaded agendas that steal my joy. I want the noise of my life to be a mixture of laughter & gratitude, not the intrusive buzz of mobile phones & text messages. I’m letting go of distraction, perfection, & pressure to grasp what really matters. I’m living Hands Free. Will you join me?
handsfreemama.com
If you find yourself too easily distracted by your to-do’s and technology, I challenge you to check out Rachel’s blog, books and talks. (Ironically enough, which are typically found on technology… I digress.)
Some of the many topics covered include:
- The Bully Too Close to Home
- How To Miss A Childhood
- Six Words You Should Say Today
- What a Hands Free Summer Looks Like
- The Important Thing About Yelling
- The Day I Stopped Saying Hurry Up
- To Build (or Break) a Child’s Spirit
- The 3-Second Pause that Can Save a Morning & Spare Some Pain
If you’re looking for a quick fix, you won’t find it there. You will find someone who challenges you and herself to be more intentional and present with those who matter most to you.
You can learn more about this leader in intentional living here.
Leader #2: Cara Harvey, A Purpose Driven Mom
I discovered Cara Harvey’s Work through the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle. (Super cool, helpful and a tad overwhelming – check it out!)
It was my first summer of shifting to Stay-At-Home-Mom life and I wanted help.
I wasn’t sure how to be purpose driven in not only my parenting but also my own personal growth (while functioning on little sleep…).
Enter Cara. She was a teacher for 8 years, burned-out and realized she need to make some changes. She now works as a virtual mentor to other moms who want to design a life they love, feel less frazzled, and reach their own goals.
A Purpose Driven Mom features a blog, free mompreneur summit, podcast, and ecourses. A few of the many topics you’ll learn about include:
- Time batching and time management
- Trello
- Finances
- Goal setting
- Relationships and parenting
- Setting boundaries
- Health and wellness
- … and more!
You can learn more about this leader in intentional living here.
Leader #3: Erica Layne, The Life on Purpose Movement
I think I actually found Erica by searching “how to live intentionally.” Woohoo!
Erica speaks about her own experience of being overwhelmed – too many commitments, toys, tasks, everything. She realized one day that she (and her family) were ready for a simpler way of life.
Ash she puts it,
My writing here at The Life On Purpose Movement is where I’ve documented my journey from overwhelmed and worn-out to centered and at peace. (Well, most of the time, anyway!)
I share my journey in hopes of inspiring your own path to focus and peace—and ultimately, greater self-compassion and self-acceptance.
In short, I want you to live in a way that is true to you, and I hope this movement helps you get there.
The Life on Purpose Movement
You’ll be encouraged to:
- Live at a pace that supports you and your family
- Simplify your home and belongings
- Be kind to yourself
- Pursue meaningful relationships with others
- Grow within community
You can learn more about this leader in intentional living here.
Leader #4: Eric Barker, Barking Up the Wrong Tree
In the early days of my university working life, my boss and I enjoyed sharing resources with each other.
Amy introduced me to Eric Barker’s incredibly humorous, science-based, personal development web site.
Anyone else nerding out with me about this amazing combination?? (Thanks, Amy!)
[Barking Up the Wrong Tree] brings you science-based answers and expert insight on how to be awesome at life.
It’s been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Wired Magazine and Time Magazine.
bakadesyo.com
I’ve gained SO MUCH knowledge and mindset shifting tools from Eric’s work. His content ranges from how to become more happy each day, to improving your relationships, to hostage negotiation, to how to get away with murder. (Seriously. Murder is not encouraged, though…)
Here’s some of the top articles he’s written:
- New Harvard Research Reveals A Fun Way To Be More Successful
- The 8 Things The Happiest People Do Every Day
- How To Stop Being Lazy And Get More Done – 5 Expert Tips
- How To Have A Great Relationship – 5 New Secrets From Research
Not sure where to start? Check out his book: Barking up the Wrong Tree: The Surprising Science Behind Why Everything Know About Success Is (Mostly) Wrong.
It’s a legitimately awesome and entertaining read, including wisdom from pirates, gangs and baseball players. Because… obviously.
You can learn more about this leader in intentional living here.
Leader #5: Sarah Von Bargen, Yes and Yes
I can’t remember how I found Sarah, but she’s been rocking my inbox for years. I get legit excited when I get one of her emails for the tough yet funny love.
Holy moly, Sarah is hilarious, real and totally helpful.
Sarah spent years as a classroom teacher and now teaches and writes online. As she puts it:
All the money stuff I teach? I learned it by paying off $50,000 of school debt on a non-profit salary.
The habit stuff? I figured that out by building a daily writing habit that’s worth $250,000+
And all the goal-setting things I teach? I learned how to reach my goals by traveling to 38 countries, building a successful business from the ground up, and finding a perfect-for-me partner at 36.
https://yesandyes.org/about
Sarah offers ecourses, audiobooks, online courses, 1:1 coaching and a blog. A few latest posts include:
- How To Stop Researching + Start Taking Action
- People Are Allowed To Disagree With Your Choices + You’re Allowed To Make Them Anyway
- Why You Should Make An ‘If I Absolutely Had To’ List Today
- Where To Start When You’re Not Sure Where To Start.
Want some realistic, tangible ways to take ownership of your habits, money, and happiness? Check out Yes and Yes.
You can learn more about this leader in intentional living here.
Recapping top influencers in intentional living
As you can see from these great influencers, intentional living matters and takes time to pursue. It’s an ongoing journey and none of us are experts (thank goodness!).
It’s spectacular that you learn how to be more intentional with your life in so many ways – including time management, simplifying your stuff, maximizing your strengths, and shifting your mindset.
You can live intentionally with passion and purpose as God’s beloved.
I’ve only listed five influencers in intentional living. Obviously, there’s countless more influencers out there.
Who do you think should be added to the list? Why?
Let me know in the comments!
I look forward to hearing who inspires YOU to live intentionally!
P.S. Want some crazy simple steps to start living intentionally? Grab the Embrace Your Potential Playbook. It’ll help you zoom in on your God-gifted personality and give you practical tips to be more intentional, passionate, and purposeful as God’s beloved so you can become the best version of yourself.
Cortney is a Christian life coach and recovering over-achiever who is passionate about helping Christian women embrace who God created them to be so they can confidently step into any season of life with passion, purpose, and peace. She’s also an ENFJ, MBTI® coach, M. Ed in College Student Development, Pilates and Yoga teacher, wife, mama, and entrepreneur. In her pre-kid life, she coordinated programs for, coached, funded, and provided leadership training for more than 60+ student organizations and 100s of university students for 7+ years. (Helping people highlight their inner awesomeness and reach their goals is her jam!)
More importantly, she’s God’s beloved.
