It’s the day. Rather it’s the eve to the day. The day that so many plan how they’re going to be different and better. What happens is another story. We can get so caught up in reflecting on the past work to set the future work, we forget to be present in the here and now. The “here and now” is truly where we are alive. Where we feel the closest to our work. We can not forget to live in the moment as we go along in 2019.
“Behind every action is an intention. Unlike a goal, an intention is not what we want to do, but rather how we want to be. And the actions we take as a result set the course for how our lives unravel.”
Holstee
I love that. We can literally decide who we want to become in every moment we try, if we just stay close to being intentional and learn from the moment we’re in. Not where we have been and where we want to go. These moments of intention will connect point by point which soon enough, will show you where you want to be.
Some questions you can start with to dig in or reflect on:
- What are some incredible focuses you want to be in touch with in 2019?
- What is the biggest goal you can think of accomplishing in 2019? Is that the one goal you want to ensure you accomplish above all others, it’s that important?
- What’s a habit you just need to be better at this 2019? Something that perhaps you need to be better at so you can be better?
Commonly we misplace or think of a goal and being intentional are one in the same, when in reality they are completely different.
Goal: This is what describes what you want to achieve. The story.
Intention: A deep purpose behind all your actions. The story as it unfolds.
You need to establish an intention before you can set a goal. We make the common mistake of setting first our goal with out realizing our deeper purpose (our intention) is really not aligned to the goal at all. This is where we become disconnected to the goal, later abandoning our resolutions a few weeks or a month later.
Our intention is now focused while your goal is future focused. Goals will help us achieve a tangible feeling we are getting somewhere with our intentional actions. Our intentions are our personal values coming to life in the moment as we move through our work. Your intention is not static, but rather very dynamic just as you are. It will change as you grow and learn along the way. Don’t be afraid to have another session to align your goals to your intentional work as it changes. Your goal may need to change, which isn’t giving up on a goal, rather it’s evolving it.
I’ll end with this:
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing.”
Annie Dillard
Over this new year’s week I’ll talk more about my experiences from reading a couple different books. Atomic Habits by James Clear and The Power of a Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life and Business by Charles Duhigg. The power of creating a system of habits in our now cannot be underestimated in helping us achieve our goals.
Start with creating your intention and then working towards a goal in your work today. If you feel like it, place them for all my viewers to see in the comments below. Realize the power of the first step and your first connection with being intentional!
Thanks for reading and I wish all my viewers an incredible 2019 New Year! Cheers!
✌ Shawn
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