The power of intention
Happy Friday, Intentionalists!
An intention is a planned course of action or deliberate choice about how to be in any given moment. It’s when we make conscious decisions to do something specific, often with a strong desire or motivation.
To live intentionally is to live life with purpose and direction. It brings with it high energy and helps us stay focused on who we are and what we want.
Without it, we will operate on autopilot and eventually become stressed and dissatisfied with our lives.
Being intentional about how we spend our time, money, and energy is more important than ever because the number of distractions has never been greater. We doom-scroll instead of mastering the musical instrument or language we desire, we binge watch a TV series instead of taking the online course that will change our lives, we have no idea where our money goes each month, and we allow work to creep into our personal time, so we are never quite present with our friends and family.
Do we have to be ‘intentional’ about every aspect of our lives? No. Sometimes, especially after we have completed a hectic work deadline or finished exams, the best thing we can do for our overtaxed brain is wander aimlessly around a farmers’ market, or potter around in our pyjamas watering our plants, or have an alfresco lunch with friends that drifts into the evening without anybody worrying about rushing off to the next appointment. But increasingly, even on our days off, we are tempted by distractions that are not good for our brains neurologically. So, we may have to be intentional about switching off technology to be fully present in our free time.
Today, we will share with you some prompts and strategies to become intentional in the most important areas of your life.
So, grab your journal and a pen and let’s get started!
PROMPTS
Write down what the best version of your life would look and feel like:
What kind of work would you do?
Who would you spend most of your time with?
What would you do in your free time?
How would you be health and fitness-wise?
What hobbies would you pursue?
What would your energy be like?
How would you feel mentally and spiritually?
In what ways would you contribute to making the world better?
How would you dress or style yourself?
How would you think about yourself?
How would you like others to feel about you?
How closely does your present life match your vision of your best life? Where are you falling short?
What actions would you need to take to close the gap between where you are now and where you would like to be?
Pick the most important area where you are falling short and create an intention for it.
For example, I currently eat a lot of processed, sugary foods and don’t do any exercise. So, my energy is low. Therefore, my intention for each day is to have at least one meal made of entirely unprocessed food and to go for a thirty-minute walk at 7 am each morning, etc.
TOOLS FOR LIVING WITH MORE INTENTION
1. A JOURNAL
Your journal is the ideal place for reflecting on your experiences to gain a clearer understanding of your values and priorities.
2. A VISION BOARD
A vision board is a collage of images and affirmations that represent your dreams and goals. Traditionally, it was a pin or corkboard where you would stick images and slogans cut out from magazines about goals you wanted to achieve or experiences you wanted to create. But these days, you can create digital vision boards using various programs and even add motivational music to them.
The advantage of a vision board is that it makes your intentions visible and tangible. Your brain can take in the picture of what you want your life to look like in seconds, and then train your subconscious mind to seek out ways to make your desires come true.
3. DIARY OR PLANNER
The best way to make something happen is to schedule it and tick it off after you have done it. Many intentionalists swear by delegating blocks of time in their planners to work on their priorities and stay focused on a particular task.
4. DISTRACTION ELIMINATORS
Corporations have done a lot of research into how to make us addicted to using their products or platforms. If your willpower to switch off and focus proves not to be enough to stop you from doom-scrolling or going down the rabbit hole of the internet, then you might like to explore focus modes, browser extensions that block distracting websites, and apps designed to help manage screen time and productivity.
5. REWARDS FOR FOLLOWING THROUGH ON YOUR INTENTIONS
Rewards like a day off or a nice meal for following through on our intentions are a pleasurable way to motivate us to continue that positive behaviour in the future.
Becoming intentional is much more than simply goal setting. It is about harnessing your focus, energy and resources to become the best version of yourself and living your life to the fullest. We, the creators of The Intentionalist newsletter, fully support you in your quest!
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FEEL GOOD AFFIRMATIONS
I am creating my life with intention.
I make mindful decisions that align with my goals and values.
I am on purpose with my time, energy and values.
(Pick an affirmation and say or write it slowly ten times. And if you want to repeat all the affirmations, that’s wonderful too!)
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KELLY’S SILLY BIT
Old words we should bring back, part 2
I had so many goodies from last week and too much fun finding them, so here are some more words from yesteryear that deserve a space in your vernacular!
Hypnagogic
From the 19th century
It’s that beautiful drowsiness and peacefulness just before you fall asleep
Such a dreamy feeling. Knowing you’re about to fall aslee…………………….. zzzzzz
Pilule
From the 16th century
A small pill
Technically not meaning pill as in calling someone a pill (boring or unpleasant ), but why not, eh?
Bedward
From the Middle English period (1150—1500)
Towards bedtime or towards bed
*A sexy daydream* Oh, to be bedward and soon to be hypnagogic
Miscook
To cook something badly or wrong, resulting in a ruined or spoiled meal. The great Scots (Scottish people) also use this to mean to manage badly or to spoil.
Ah, yes. Miscook is my natural state.
Grubbling
From the mid-1500s
It means to grope(!) but not quite like that. It’s less organised than a grope, more of a feel about in your pockets or a small space like a drawer.
I never thought I would write the sentence less organised than a grope …
Grufeling
It means to lie wrapped up and in a comfortable-looking manner … which sounds ace … but you would say it in ridicule. Calling someone lazy.
Hurdle-durkle > than Grufeling
Hum durgeon
From the 18th century
Scottish smashing it again. It’s slang for an imaginary illness, in a bad mood or a depressed state.
Imaginary, hey? Do you reckon it was about moods and depression that wouldn’t have been understood back then? We all get a case of the hum durgeons. This name makes it feel about 40% better.
Famelicose
From the 17th century
It’s someone who is CONSTANTLY hungry. Always ravenous.
Do not mess with a famelicose woman, that’s all I’m saying.
Snecklifter
Scottish origin. A sneck is a latch (old-fashioned), so a snecklifter is someone who would lift the latch to open the door of a pub, poke their nose in to see if they could see someone they could get to buy them a drink! Cheeky!
You dirty snecklifter. It’s fun to say. And we all know that one person who hangs in for the round, but the minute it’s their turn, they’re NOWHERE.
That’s it for the moment. If you know of any old-timey goodies, let us know!
If you missed the old words from last week, click here ↓
Be an intentionalist.
Belinda & Kelly XX
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