Intentions are the starting point of every achievement. As Wayne Dyer says, “The secret to changing your life is in your intentions. Wishing, hoping and goal setting cannot accomplish change without intention. What is needed is a shift from the inert energy of wanting to the active energy of doing and intention.”
Intentions are the desires, goals and passions you are dedicated to achieving. They help you to move from thinking you will achieve it to knowing you will achieve it.
But how do set your intentions for the year? Here are some tips to help.
Start with gratitude
Start by giving gratitude to last year and the lessons you’ve learnt, the moments you’ve cherished, the highlights that captivated you and the memories you’ll treasure.
Why not write it in a letter to yourself. It’s a great keepsake to reflect on at the end of this year to see how far you’ve come. Put it away somewhere safe.
Now it’s time to create an incredible year
Change comes from creating actions from your thoughts and words. Now that you have shown your gratitude, it’s time to set your intentions. Here are some steps to help.
Get those colored pens out and start writing on paper words that come to your mind when you answer the following questions. Don’t over think them, allow your mind to freely flow and just write what pops into your head (they’re popping in there for a reason).
- What do you want to experience?
- How do you want to feel?
- What do you want to focus on? Life, business, both, neither, something crazy and wild?
- What do you want to promise yourself this year?
- What are your words (pick 1-3) that represent this year for you?
- What do you want to change?
- What do you want to start?
- What is something outside your comfort zone that you are going to do?
- What gifts are you paying forward?
- Who do you want to be at the end of the year?
Our next step, look at these amazing words you’ve written down. I want you to create affirmations around them. You can have a couple of affirmations to cover all that is needed.
Put them in a place where you will see them every day. You can post them on the mirror in your bathroom, in your diary, make them into a bookmark or set up electronic diary reminders to repeat them daily.
But wait, we aren’t finished yet.
Now you need to put your creative hat on. Grab those old magazines, scissors, glue, paints, postcards, anything and everything that represents something on your words list. It’s time to create a vision board reflecting your intentions.
For the modern tech head, set up a Pinterest board or open your software package of choice, and start adding images, to create your electronic vision board. You can then print it and put it up, or set it as your desktop wallpaper so you are viewing it daily.
Your mission now is to look at your intentions daily, so you constantly remind yourself of what is important to you, and what you are going to do to tick them off.
Find you need a little help turning your intentions into actions? Then make sure you ask for help! I personally mentor a number of individuals to help them achieve their best life and I would be honoured to help you this year.
Now repeat after me, I’ve got this!
