SET YOUR INTENTION
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom."
Whenever I start something new - both in terms of myself and my clients – I’ll aim to gather attention. Find focus & purpose. A large amount of information, thoughts and feelings, constantly compete for our attention. We need to stop regularly and anchor ourselves in the present, otherwise we will easily lose our footing.
The routine of gathering before a call, meeting, task or training is summarized in the method of "setting the intention". To set the intention is to consciously gather and organize your thoughts and energy towards what is important and sustainable - against who you want to be and what you want to give.
This means that - instead of just rushing mindlessly into meetings, challenges or conversations - you create a space in the moment before. Take a deep breath and center around what is to be done and mentally meet those you have around you. Make yourself aware of the thoughts and feelings that affect (mindfulness), remind yourself of the purpose and who you want to be. When we prepare our mind in this way, we gain much greater access to our internal resources. Do this:
- When you sit on the yoga mat: Start by closing your eyes, taking a deep breath and setting your intention with the yoga. What do you need from the moment and what is the purpose of the practice - today and over time?
- When you enter a meeting: Gather yourself. Remind yourself of the goal of the meeting. What do you want to contribute, what is important to focus on and what do you want people to feel when they leave?
- When answering by phone: Breathe and think first about whether it is appropriate to take the conversation right now. Then set the intention of how long you want to talk, what you want to convey and how you want to listen.
- When you have dinner: Gather yourself before you start eating. Why are you eating? What is important about the food and the moment? What do you like about it? What arouses the senses? The color, the flavour and the aroma? Enjoy. Taste.