how-tos

Be, Do, Breathe by Satchel & Sage

Here’s Part 3 in the 6-part “Setting Intentions” series. (Start here.)

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Identify the energy behind the intention

Why: Having clarity about the energy you want in your life means you can start creating that energy immediately.

Whatever the intention you are setting, there is always a core quality underlying it. Dig deeper to find out what the essence of the quality is.

You’d want to start bringing elements of that into your life through action, in whatever way you are comfortable with at the moment. It doesn’t necessarily have to be big, or intimidating.

Personally, I like starting small and simple.

• Small → I don’t get scared.
• Simple → I will actually get it done. (And bringing the energy in through ACTION is *super* important!!!)

For a long time, I wanted to live in Japan, but couldn’t figure out how. I applied to join a programme to teach English in local schools, but was disappointed both times. Finally, I decided I wanted live there at least for 6 months no matter what.

I didn’t know exactly how I was going to make it happen, but I started filling up my life with more and more Japanese-related activities, e.g. watching more Japanese TV. Super easy starting point, right? 😉 I also started going for Japanese classes again.

Then, I changed all my passwords to things like: ‘iLOVEjapan’, ‘japanhereicome’, ‘heretodayjapantomorrow’.

The core energy behind all that: loving Japan, going to Japan, being in Japan. Even now as I write this, I remember that feeling.

Take note: Avoid using ‘want’ when setting intentions. It shifts the focus to the energy of ‘wanting’, which doesn’t really get anyone anywhere.

Try this:
If it feels challenging to figure out the essence of the quality you are looking for, break down your intention into some kind of activity, e.g. “If I were (doing X), I would be (doing this).” So in my case, it would have been: “If I were in Japan, I would be speaking Japanese every day.”

Give it a shot and let me know how it goes in the comments!

Surprise Tiger Card by drawnbylucysmith

This is Part 2 in the 6-part “Setting Intentions” series. (Start here.)
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When you feel really stuck figuring out exactly what you want, consider leaving it to the Universe. This means…

Be open to surprises

Why: What we ask for, doesn’t necessarily come in the form we expect it to.

It’s a little like going to a restaurant you like, and saying, “I want to eat healthily but I don’t know what’s good and healthy here, I’ll leave it to you to pick something”, and deciding to accept whatever the chef serves. You may or may not like it, but you’ll have a better idea of which healthy dish you enjoy the next time.

So, if you have certain expectations of what your wish looks like, release those expectations. You could be pleasantly surprised.

There are also times when you actually want to to leave your request a bit more open-ended (Yes, a complete contradiction of #1). When you really have no idea what you truly want, are open to new things, and are willing to take small risks, try setting your intentions in terms of “opportunities”.

For example, if you’re looking for a new job, “Please send me opportunities for a new job, in the highest good of all.”

“Opportunities” because it gives options (you’ve never met anyone so afraid of not having options). Some people might just want to outright ask for a new job. It’s totally up to you, your preferences and the situation you’re in.

“In the highest good of all” – it’s like a safety net for me – it lets me feel I have permission, and that I’m not being selfish.

Over time, you will gain clarity around what you truly want, and be able to set clear and specific intentions.

Take note: There’s no guarantee of a pleasant experience when you set your intentions. Life lessons and challenges can surface as part of fulfilling your intentions. It is only *after* the experience, and you have reflected on it, that you’ll be in a better place.

Try this: To get comfortable setting this kind of intentions, practice using it in small ways in daily life situations where you feel safe to experiment, e.g. set an intention for learning/enjoyment/awareness, then go to the cinema and watch whatever is available next. Or set an intention to have new perspectives, then go to the bus-stop and take whatever bus arrives next. Be open, and be observant.

There is absolutely a place and time for setting goals, but if/when you find setting goals a pain in the butt, digging a little deeper to find the intention behind the goal can help by bringing more meaning to it.

Think of the Universe as an amazing, powerful Delivery-Only Restaurant. It’s a restaurant that produces delicious, soul-nourishing food, and it can deliver whatever you order.

Here’s #1 in this 6-part series. (Catch up on the other tips here: Surprise!, Essence, Size Matters, It’s about YOU, Set it Free.)
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Be very specific with your order.

Why: The more you know what you want, the easier it is to deliver your order.

When you order food in a restaurant, you talk about the dishes you want, and if you have any specific instructions regarding how you want them prepared, you also mention it.

Imagine what a headache the staff and the kitchen would have if you told them all the things you didn’t want instead. Same concept for setting intentions.

Describe what that looks like to you – one person’s medium is another person’s medium rare – especially when it is something intangible.

• What would your life look like if you had this in your life?
• How would you feel when you have this in your life?

Talk about what it IS, rather than what it is not. This is not about positive affirmations, or the Law of Attraction. It is about FOCUS.

Take note: These questions are important because they help you clarify your intentions. Sometimes what we think we want, is not really what we want. Be honest with yourself. And be careful what you wish for 😉

Try this: Take 5 minutes or as much time as you like to consider those questions. Get yourself some quiet space and time to ponder. OR decide to think about those questions through your day and let your mind wander.

Come back in a couple of days for the next tip!