“Every journey begins with the first step of articulating the intention, and then becoming the intention.”― Bryant McGill
Do you know the difference between a goal and an intention? Goals point us to the future with the hope of keeping us on track. So we can get the right things done. But there is a dark side to goal setting. We set goals because we want a change. That goal draws our attention away from the here and now. We end up focusing on what we want but don’t have. This perceived lack can keep our desired reality always in the future.
The mere act of setting a goal can trigger a backlash of feelings of failure and hopelessness. Setting your intention brings the focus back to the here and now. It helps to organize and reinforce your values and raise your emotional energy.
Intentions are a powerful way to help you reach your goals. Here’s how:
Intentions have no limits. There are many documented instances of patients showing vast improvements in their health when given a placebo. The mind can seriously alter the body for good or for ill. Intentions have no limits because your brain has none. If you believe you can, then you can. Harness the power of your mind! By setting your intention, you become limitless.
Intentions are larger than life. Don’t confuse intentions with goals. Intentions are all about who and what you want to be. For example, a goal might be to quit smoking this year. An intention around quitting smoking could be: I’m amazed by how easy it is to be a nonsmoker. Confirming your intention daily will help you reach your goal of becoming a nonsmoker.
Setting intentions can make you more productive. How? Set your intention to have an open mind and heart and be receptive to clarity and information. That will result in higher states of productivity.
Get out of your headspace. Stating how you wish you felt brings out the negativity, indicating a lack between how you are feeling and how you could be feeling. Saying that you intend to feel good today takes that back into your own hands and lets you control how you feel about your day. You start behaving as though you are having a great day rather than thinking about how you wish you were.
Setting an intention can help you see things you’ve missed. We get absorbed in our day-to-day existence and forget to look at the beauty around us. Sometimes we forget to notice the child at our feet or the warm smile of a spouse. State your intention to expand your focus out from the narrow band of the computer or phone screen. That will expand the joy you experience in your life and will strengthen your relationships.
