An intentional week is one in which you actively pursue your goals without distractions. Most of your activities are geared toward the actions that lead to your great destiny. You don’t leave things to chance, and you certainly don’t wait for others to do what you can for yourself.

An intentional week can begin any day, but you must be committed.

Here are a few tips to help you have an intentional week:

1. Begin with God. An intentional week begins with God, travels with God, and ends with Him. The Bible states that we should seek His will in all we do, and He will show us which path to take (Proverbs 3:6 NLT). Tell God you need a week full of accomplishments but acknowledge that you cannot do it all yourself. Ask Him to guide you through the planning process and execution. Seek His wisdom, courage, and strength to achieve the impossible. Promise to return all glory to Him at the end of the week.

2. Dream Big—Stretch your mind with powerful imaginations. The Holy Scriptures inspire me, as I see things once deemed impossible accomplished by God and people in the Old and New Testaments. You can also read books and listen to inspirational speeches. Dreams are spiritual exercises that train your mind, just as physical exercise conditions your body. Therefore, extend your mind with examples of what God and other humans have achieved that once seemed impossible.

Having stretched your mind, believe that you can also do the impossible. With that mindset, develop a dream of how your week will unfold. Write that dream on a piece of paper and display it where you can see it daily.

3. Have a plan – A plan is a list of the goals you intend to achieve this week and how you intend to accomplish them. Select two or three goals for the week and outline the steps you must take to reach those goals. These goals must be integral to your vision—actions that will bring you closer to realising that grand dream you have.

Create a timetable for accomplishing these goals and set deadlines. Your plan must include timelines for completion.

4. Say no to things outside your schedule. Often, it is not just what you do, but also what you choose not to do that elevates you. It is natural for our minds to wander throughout the day. The mind is constantly searching for instant gratifications; however, you know that such pursuits can lead to regret at the end of the day when you realise you have made no progress towards your goals. Thus, instruct your mind to focus on the tasks at hand. Moreover, politely decline when others try to distract you with activities that do not align with your weekly goals. Mastering the art of saying no is a valuable skill—practice it this week.

5. Keep motivating things close and discouraging ones at a distance. Motivation diminishes without proper nourishment. You must continuously fuel your passion, zeal, and drive. Therefore, keep those images, words, people, and items that inspire you nearby. Whenever you notice that your motivation is waning, try to refuel—revisit those sources of inspiration that initially ignited your passion.

Remember to keep away anything that discourages or distracts you from your targets. This includes worries, anxieties, past failures, and negative individuals.

6. Have an accountability partner. If someone in your life has a similar mindset, you can support one another in staying accountable. Share your goals and plans and encourage each other to keep on track. You may involve someone who has successfully navigated similar endeavours. You could also ask your spouse or a colleague to hold you accountable. The key is to have someone you respect who can remind you of your commitments and ensure you persevere in the face of setbacks.

7. Act now. Close this article and take the necessary actions immediately. It does not matter what day you read this post; close it and implement what you have learned. Without action, you are merely entertaining yourself by reading this—and, quite frankly, you know that you do not need more entertainment.