In this week’s E-Therapy Voices Series, empowerment coach Cathy Hartenstein offers an exercise in setting intentions for personal wellness. Make sure you check out Cathy’s other 2 posts: How To Bump Up Your Zen During Covid-19 and Practicing Gratitude Goes A Long Way In Beating Stress.
THE POWER OF GOOD INTENTIONS
by Cathy Hartenstein
The power of intention is no secret. When we have an intention, it helps us stay focused and gives us clarity to tackle even the most daunting of tasks. Many educators, administrators, and therapists are learning new ways to deliver their lessons and therapy, and some struggle to understand how to bring their skills online. The daily barrage of new technical skills needed can seem insurmountable, and where to begin, a mystery. That is why having an intention or focus for your day can be empowering. When you intend something you call it into being and you place your determination behind it.
Set clear intentions for good results
When setting intentions it is important to apply a few key elements to make sure you have a strong and powerful intention that will generate good results.First, make sure that you have a clear idea of exactly what you want to accomplish, change, or create.A clear intention should encompass the following things:
- A specific stated outcome or desire – i.e. I intend to have a great attitude about learning to teach online.
- Something that feels good to pursue and excites you in some way – i.e. I intend to have fun while learning a new way of teaching.
- Something that is possible and attainable. We don’t want to create an intention that feels like a pipe dream because then we can struggle to believe in our ability to achieve it, and we don’t pursue it as strongly. – i.e. I intend to win the lottery.
Clear away obstacles to reaching your intention
The next step is to clear any emotional blocks or obstacles that may hinder practicing your intention. It is important not to ignore if you are feeling unsure or blocked on your intention. Instead, acknowledge it. This allows the block to be addressed and released so that you put all your energy behind pursuing your intention. To clear your block, this technique is helpful:Complete the following sentence.
Even though I have this block of _________ (i.e. fear, uncertainty, stress etc.) about being able to _______ ( state your intentions), I completely and deeply love and accept myself.
Repeat three times outloud while tapping the karate chop point of your left hand with the fingers of your right hand.You can do this for as many blocks/issues that you are experiencing.When you feel your block beginning to shift it is time to move onto the final phase of setting your intention.
Two ways to declare your intentions
The last step is to declare your intentions. I like to do it in two ways. First, I complete the following sentence:
Today I intend to……… (put your well-crafted intention here).
Next, pick a word you want to be the focus of your day, i.e.: Learning, Bravery, Self Care, Productivity, Positive Attitude, etc. Complete this sentence with the word.
My focus for the day is___________ (word of the day).
For all intentions it is important to make sure it is always stated in the positive. When you are all done, write your intentions and place them somewhere you can see. Look at them any time you get off track. If you feel like it, share your intentions with someone else. By sharing, we give power to the intention and strengthen our declaration.These are just a few ideas to shift our focus during the day so we can weather the ups and downs of this transition. Let us know your experience with these exercises or what you do to stay grounded and centered during COVID-19 in the comments below.
About the Author
Cathy Hartenstein is a Life Coach, EFT/Matrix Re- imprinting, and NLP Practitioner who is dedicated to helping people create more bliss in their lives and realize their highest potential. By constantly investigating what drives us, why we do the things we do, and searching for the beauty that she sees in humanity, she empowers people to release old trauma and live their best life. She has a strong background leading groups to realize their creative vision, having been actively involved in arts and education for over 3 decades as an international theatre artist, theatre professor at many prestigious universities, and workshop facilitator. In her work she strives to help her clients reconnect to themselves and overcome their personal obstacles to realize their greatest potential. Find Cathy at Create More Bliss.
