The Power of Intention

Every action starts with an idea followed by the intention to take action upon that idea. Edison may very well have first considered the idea of a steady light source because reading by oil lamp was difficult and unsatisfactory. And, if he intended to create a new light source, he may have surmised it would also be great if the light was available at the flick of a switch. The leap between idea and intention does not guarantee instant success. It took Edison several thousand tries before he successfully came up with the electric light. But success came only after he made the conscious decision to achieve/create something. The power of intention will help lead you to success.

Remember playing with electrical train sets? As you flick the switch an electrical current runs through the track you choose that allows the train to run. The current goes from track to track as you flip the switches – in other words, the train follows the current or the direction of your guidance. Energy flows where attention goes. As we flow our energy towards something you literally send energy to the tracks upon which circumstances and events will run to help achieve your outcome.

The difference between one week's doubt and another week's successes is where I focused my power of intention. I took my attention off my doubts and placed it on how to grow and improve my business. I generated power by taking constructive action steps. In short, I redirected my power of intention.

Putting the power of intention to work means being focused on what is best for you and having a clear idea of how you're going to achieve it. Then, once you have an objective and a strategy, take action! Aligned action (not forcing) is the only way to move your desired result from being out there to reality. As one of my clients said about the power of intention, "when one focuses on achieving a particular result, and acknowledges a process leading to an objective, one fuels the process and things get done very quickly."

Keep taking risks and moving the comfort zone beyond where you are comfortable. Notice the gifts that come your way. One day, you'll have accomplished your dreams and realized it was the power of intention that moved you there. Henry Miller said, "The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world unto itself." Oh, and why not hold the strategic intention of evolving from creativity rather than chaos!!

Through research with the Conference Board of Canada in building a Portrait of Inspired Leaders”, we know that everyone who participates in a meeting/conversation comes with intention and agenda. Likewise, everyone in the meeting/conversation influences the space and outcomes either consciously or unconsciously. How you “choose” to show up directly influences your participation, the flow of the meeting, and whether you consciously or unconsciously sabotage agreements made or become a part of moving them forward. In recognition of all participants contributing to the space of the meeting, we started the meeting by asking participants to introduce themselves to the group and set their intention for the meeting.

Shift your focus of attention to creative solutions the “practices” herein support that shift.

“How must one become a butterfly?” she asked pensively. “You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.” Trina Paulus