webdevI was recently listening to a Glennon Doyle podcast interview with Brené Brown about Untamed – Doyle’s best-selling memoir. The book is about one woman listening to her inner voice. It is at times tender, funny, moving and forceful. (If you haven’t yet read it, you’ll need a highlighter on hand.)
What stood out most in the searingly honest podcast conversation was the notion of how each of us can live a more present life by embracing what it really means to be human.
One of my all-time favourite Doyle quotes is: “I’m nothing if not a tangled, colourful ball of contradictions”. Like all her wittiest and wisest remarks, it has humour, bravery and kindness.
Does this powerful quote resonate with you?
I am a firm believer in being open, curious and excited, but there have been times when I’ve felt fearful, uncertain, stressed and stuck in the comparison trap. On reflection, these challenging and less-than-flattering moments have sprung from times when I’ve been overly focused on setting and completing tasks – aka goals.
Why do we set goals?
We are all accustomed to setting goals. They enable progress and productivity. But the downside to goal setting can be that the process takes us out of the present moment and creates an emphasis on what we don’t have and on our perceived limitations.
I’ve found that when goals are energetically aligned to a vision and our unique set of values, they can be extremely effective. However, if they come from a space of ‘need to’ and ‘should’ they can often feel like an uphill battle. And, more commonly, procrastination takes a hold and excuses get in the way.
The earnestness and motive in your heart is really important, which is where setting intentions comes in.
What does it mean to set an intention?
Setting intentions is about the energy you are willing to put into the start of something and often represents why you want to do something. What is your objective? Why is it important? Who does it serve? Neurologically we’ll often do more for others than we will ourselves, so understanding and energetically getting behind the bigger vision supports our action.
Intentions are less structured than typical goal-setting.
“Living your intentions makes it thrilling to get up in the morning and gratifying to go to sleep at night”, says Maria Popova – a ‘curiosity architect’ who spends her days collecting and sharing timeless insights.
Intentions give you a roadmap and a reminder for how to live each day, and provide inspiration and motivation to achieve your goals.
Without intentions, smaller actions don’t really add up to anything much. With intentions, there is more determination behind each action.
Here are a few tips to develop your intention and stay on track throughout the day.
Keep it positive
Soon after you wake, your mind and body are primed for a new day. Avoid scrolling through social media (in the evening prior, put your phone out of reach so you won’t be tempted). You don’t want to focus on comparisons and external messages first thing.
Take a few deep breaths and state how you intend to feel for today. Make sure your intention (big or small; it doesn’t have to be elaborate) has a positive tone. If it’s negative, flip it. Then write it down – it will make it more real and potent.
For example, if you want to cultivate better health through food, ask yourself what you want out of your relationship with food. Rather than thinking of this as stopping old habits think of it as focusing on learning new ones. Instead of saying ‘Don’t make poor food choices today’ try reframing it to something like: ‘Make time to eat nourishing food today and enjoy the pleasure of eating.’
Can you see the possibilities here?
Use your imagination
Ursula K Le Guin (a woman of extraordinary intellect and imaginative prowess) observed that “We need to train the mind to take off from immediate reality and return to it with new understanding and new strength”.
Imagination is an inner resource you can draw upon every day. Allow your thoughts to soar and form new connections. Whatever you imagine vividly on a consistent basis is absorbed by your subconscious mind as objective reality.
Creative visualisation with a great deal of intent behind it will create an associated emotion in your body. Picture your goal as complete, and then let it go. Spend the rest of your day being in the present moment.
Convert the intention into action
It takes a lot of little steps to get where you want to go. Intention without action is just daydreaming. Take concrete actions towards the things you want in order to bring you the success you are looking for. Decide on the best time of day to fulfill your intention, focus on the benefits of your intention, and acknowledge and reward your progress. Remember, what you’re manifesting may not come in the form you thought it might. Be open and flexible.
It can help to share your intention with a close friend. If we say we will do something and only have ourselves to rely on, what can happen? We can easily give up and choose an easier road. Ask someone to check in on your action. It will help propel you forward and stay accountable, even when things get tough.
Do you have an accountability partner?
The power of intention
If you are in doubt about the importance of distinguishing between intent and goals, note the timeless vintage wisdom from pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart: “To my mind, the world would be a much pleasanter and more civilized place to live in, if everyone resolved to pursue whatever is closest to his [sic] heart’s desire. We would be more creative and our productivity would be vastly increased.”
As she says: “Whether you are flying the Atlantic or selling sausages or building a skyscraper…your greatest power comes from the fact that you want tremendously to do that very thing and do it well.”
Are you ready to focus your thoughts on what you truly desire?
Setting daily intentions really can change your life!
I’ve seen this work in my own life, with my clients, and even with friends. It can accelerate your growth and empower you with energy. Whether it’s personal, professional or spiritual, set and live a compelling, meaningful intention each day.
Thanks for reading! Now, take a few moments to think about your intentions for tomorrow.
Andrea
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P.S. To read more articles about living a more meaningful life, check out these posts from my collection…
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