Effective Intention Setting: Balancing Aspiration with Reality
How To Set Balanced, Practical, and Aspirational Intentions:
In our journey of personal growth and self-improvement, how we set our intentions can have a big impact on the way we experience our life.
Unlike specific goals, intentions are more about the mindset and path we choose to embark upon on our way to our goals. In this post, we explore the art of setting aspirational and grounded intentions—striking a balance so that they can become powerful catalysts for change and growth.
Understanding Intentions vs. Goals
Before looking at how to set intentions, it's important to differentiate between intentions and goals.
Intentions are broader and more about your overall approach to life and the values you wish to live by. They guide your actions and shape your mindset.
Goals, on the other hand, are specific, measurable targets you aim to achieve. They are the tangible outcomes of aligning your actions with your intentions.
Both are important and are most impactful when done in tandem. Here, we’ll focus on intentions, the foundation upon which goals are built. You can read more about effective goal setting here.
The Balance in Intention Setting
Aspirational Yet Grounded
Strong intentions should inspire and challenge you, pushing you slightly out of your comfort zone. They should be ambitious enough to drive significant personal growth and realistic enough to be attainable.
Balanced Intention "I respect my personal limits and communicate my boundaries clearly and compassionately" is aspirational/growth focused and grounded.
Aligned Goal: “Read at least one book on boundaries by March and apply three principles or practices from the book in my personal life. If I’m not actively putting concepts into practice by May, I will seek out a therapist, mentor, or coach to help me refine and execute my boundaries.”
Balanced Intention: "I prioritize my mental health by regularly engaging in self-care practices that nourish my mind and body."
Aligned Goal: Schedule at least two self-care activities per week, such as meditation, yoga, breath work, or reading, and maintain a journal to track my mental health progress.
The Power of Belief
Your subconscious mind needs to believe in its attainability for an intention to be effective. If an intention feels too far-fetched, it may lead to internal resistance. If an intention feels too far-fetched, it may lead to internal resistance.
Key Aspect: Your intentions should align with a belief in their possibility, making them potent motivators for action and change.
Example: If your intention is to “love” your body, but you currently “hate” your body, that will be too big of a jump for the subconscious mind. The intention won’t stick because your system will feel the cognitive dissonance.
Finding somewhere in between that stretches where you are on the path to where you want to be will be more impactful, powerful, and actionable on your path to change. "I am committed to accepting my body wholeheartedly and grateful for all it does for me every day."
Crafting the Right Intentions
Language Matters
How you frame your intentions is deeply important as it affects your mindset and whether the subconscious wants to jump on board. Your intentions should be stated in positive, empowered, growth-oriented terms and reflect a balance between stretching your capabilities and being achievable.
Some suggest always stating intentions and affirmations as if they have already happened. I am not one of those people. However, I’m not against this as long as the intention doesn’t raise a flag in your subconscious system that would create dissonance and disassociation.
I prefer to craft intentions in an empowering present tense by using words that show commitment, dedication, devotion, or growth while clarifying the outcome. The statement is directed at what you want, what is possible, and what you are creating momentum towards.
Example: "I am committed to creating a healthy relationship with my finances where I feel abundant, safe, and secure at the same time" strikes a balance between aspiration (wants) and practicality (needs).
You could then refine this further “I grow my wealth and abundance every month by seeking out new skills and habits that grow my net worth.”
A goal for this intention is made more impactful by being S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound). “I will automate my finances based on Ramit Sethi’s financial model by April and add $10,000 to personal savings by the end of the year.”
MENTAL Visualization and Emotional Connection
Mentally visualize your intentions vividly and connect with them emotionally. How does it feel to land on the other side of your intention coming to fruition? Connecting emotionally to your intention helps imprint positive associations with these intentions in your mindset, which will help you as you cultivate new habits.
Practice: Imagine living out your intention, focusing on the feelings and experiences it brings when it comes to fruition. This emotional connection can make your intentions more powerful and tangible.
ADDING YOUR VISION TO FENG SHUI
Setting intentions can be a powerful exercise in self-awareness and aspiration, creating a physical, visual representation of what you’re working towards in your home that reminds you of where you’re going rather than where you’ve been is another powerful way to align the subconscious with your intentions and goals.
Practice: Take time to bring your top intentions and goals forward and make a vision board that aligns with the energy and actions you want to take. Put it somewhere you’ll see it every day.
Practice: Another option is to bring your intentions and goals out in your home through carefully curated art that reminds you of where you’re going and what you hope to accomplish rather than where you’ve been.
“Make your home a vision board for the future instead of a shrine to your past.” Patricia Lohan, Powerhouse Feng Shui
Because the subconscious works in symbols, imagery, and patterns visual representation of your goals is another powerful tool to aide in success and overall motivation.
IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE
By striking the right balance between ambition and practicality and understanding the difference between intentions and goals, you can create a powerful roadmap for your life. Let your intentions be your guiding light, leading you to fulfillment and growth.
Remember, the journey of exponential growth begins with a small, single step, and that first step is setting your course with intention. Looking for guidance to drive clarity and action? Book a Spiritual Guidance Session to look at all the layers of where you are now so that you can find your way to where you want to be.
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