Start with Intent - A Reflection Process
© Jenn Shallvey
Shared from the recent newsletter - a reflection practice.
How often do you go through your day without being conscious of what you do? I imagine many times. We all do. It is not uncommon for us to move into habitual ways, routines and actions that we do without thinking. On one hand this saves time and reduces stress on the other it can dilute the sense of purpose in our actions.
It is in this context that I wish to invite you to consider being different in your conscious approach to activities. If you would like to try then let me suggest you move through your day with intention rather than the absence of it. To help you this reflection practice is simple but varied so you can approach in the way that best suits and interests you.
Start with your general sense of intent
What does being intentional look like for you?
How would you describe intent?
Reflect on your day to day
Take a moment to review a day in your life. Pick an ordinary day that involves a lot of activity. Consider the routine of your day and what you do. This observation can include anything from waking up in the morning, to making dinner, participating in a meeting online, helping a family member, phone calls, exercise. You see it can be anything. Don’t filter your list too much.
Notice then as you scan your day your level of awareness in each activity. Pick one as an example and explore it a little bit more in detail. For example maybe your daily exercise involves a 30 minute run. How do you approach your exercise time? What is your intent for exercising? How do you hold this intent during your exercise?
Yes this may sound like it is over analysis and navel gazing, because it is! On purpose. For when you delve into the detail you uncover the gems.
Finding the gems
So you probably think the next step is to fix what is not working. Yes and no. Rather than drag yourself down with what you don’t do lift your self up with what you do. You probably already are holding an intent without realising it for many of your activities.
Back to the exercise example you may have a big intent of living a healthy life. You may have brought into your day to day an intent of clearing your frustration, energy and challenges by using exercise as a release. Somewhere in you is this precursor to the decision. This is what I mean by a gem. Look for what you already do. When you find them you will feel the alignment with self and how your intention is supporting you and your life.
Sharing your inner wealth
With so much already likely working that you now realise the question to ask is how can you apply this to more in your life? So you might be an intentional exerciser. Yet when it comes to meetings at work you are all over the place. Maybe you let other people sway your opinion easily or dominate your voice. Your engagement is less than you would like. Knowing the power of your own self in activities that are working how can you create a more intentional way of being in these meetings. Then what will you do to try this out.
The discovery questions
To help you find the intent that works try these out and see what you get:
Why am I doing, participating, engaging in this activity?
If I have to do something I do not like how can I reframe my approach so I do like it?
How does a seemingly small and unimportant activity actually relate to a bigger goal?
What reward and sense of well being do I have when I am more purposeful in my ways?
How do others respond and engage with me when I have clear intent?
What is the simplest and easiest way for me to be intentional?
What gets in the way of me being intentional and how can I adjust?
There are many more questions you can explore. See what comes up and keep going. Over time you will get quicker at observing, wondering, asking your self, getting an answer and adjusting. No perfect timing. No right or wrong way.
Start with the intent to be more intentional in your day to day activities.