What Good are Intentions…
If you don’t take any action after setting them? I often hear people talking about their exercise intentions, intentions for eating healthier, or even in getting a new job. It’s not as often that there is success.
By definition an intention is:
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions or
an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result.
Sitting down and stating or writing an intention is a great start, but as the definition above suggests, it’s a mental game. A thought. And while positive thinking will most likely get you further than negative thinking, thinking alone will yield nothing (believe me, I’m a master at this). You’ve got to take action.
Once you set an intention (in a recent post Christine Kane outlines six easy steps to getting what you want) you’ve got to next create an action plan. The intention is the final goal. Now it’s time to create the smaller steps you need to get there, and then do them.
For example, this year I created a vision board. My vision board has me creating 9 CD/DVD products to sell, winning an Emmy and let go of fear in order to achieve freedom and success. First step accomplished, my vision is set. But I can’t just sit in my writing room and stare at the poster I created. I have to do something about it. So what am I doing?
To win the Emmy
Now I realize this may not happen this year or ever. But one must try before giving up! 6 months ago I started a community TV show. Sometimes I teach yoga or fitness, other times I interview various wellness professionals, and other times I take it to the “streets” so to speak and go hiking, biking, etc to show people wellness options in the area. I’m practicing my skills as a TV host. Each time we shoot I learn something about my posture, my questioning, my facial expressions, where to look…there’s a lot to learn! My goal by the end of 2008 is to have an episode that I’m comfortable (enough) with and submit it to regional or even national TV stations. Without these actions, winning an Emmy would truly be impossible.
To create CD/DVD products.
I’m writing scripts and recording them at my kitchen table. I have no fancy sound systems, so I’m using my Mac to record, edit and burn. I’ve created 1 out of the 9 I envisioned. Is it perfect? No. Did I learn a lot? Yes. Product number 2 will turn out even better.
Freedom from Fear
This one takes a lot of work and I work at it through writing, yoga, meditation, and talking things through. I’m getting unstuck and into the FLOW of my life. I’m uncovering experiences that instilled the fears, and I’m learning ways to manage them. Challenging, yes. Worth it, absolutely. And while there is and probably always will be work to do, I can say that with the work I’ve done to date, I feel a lot more freedom than I did in the past and it’s helping me achieve more personally and professionally. I’m taking action instead of just thinking about it.
As you go about setting visions and intentions for the near or distant future, make them clear, and create a plan as part of the process. Finding that you’re setting the same intentions over and over? Consider whether the intention is something you really want vs something you think you should do. Once you make your plan, stick to it, be flexible with it (things change!) and celebrate the baby steps as you go. Sometimes they are more rewarding and fun than actually reaching the final destination.
What are your intentions for the day, week, or year? Do you have an action plan? Are you following it?
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