You Want It? Set An Intention.

Picture this: two friends are chatting about their eating habits. The first one says, “I want to be healthy and feel great.”  The second one says, “I intend to be healthy and feel great.”

Which one do you think is going to get healthy and feel great? Yes – the one who intends it.  Wanting is simply wishing you can have or do a particular thing.  Intending means you are committed to achieving something by making a plan for success – and sticking to it!

The key to intention is action – try this to build your intention muscle:

• Get clear on what you want. Create a vision board by gathering images and words that pertain to your goal, and gluing them onto a large piece of construction paper. Hang the collage in a spot where you will see it often. (or use an online service like Pinterest to create a digital vision board).
  
  
• Do something to make your desire happen. Want to eat four servings of vegetables a day? Your first action may be to go to the store and purchase a few veggies you can cook for dinner.
  
  
• Celebrate your achievement! Don’t forget to congratulate yourself on meeting your goal.
  
  

Do you know you can even set an intention to have a great day?  Rather than diving into your morning and hoping you will achieve your day’s big goal, why not take a moment and set yourself up for success?  Try this “Setting and Intention to Succeed” exercise used by professional athletes, speakers, writers, politicians and performers:

• Upon waking, lie in bed and think about what you have planned for your day (or find a quiet spot to sit and contemplate).
  
  
• Think about your desired outcome.  Take a deep breath and visualize yourself succeeding.
  
  
• Replay your success several times in your mind.
  
  
• Next, add other senses, including sounds, smells, and touch. For instance, as you replay your success, you now also hear the director offering you the gig, or you feel the physical sensation of your finger hitting the ‘send’ button on your latest assignment.
  
  
• Lastly, replay the scene again, adding emotions.  Feel your elation at getting the part, or your sense of satisfaction at finally finishing your project. 
  
  

You can perform the Setting an Intention to Succeed exercise throughout the day as desired.  It can become a powerful tool in your toolbox for success.

Do you intend to lose weight, eat healthy, and feel fantastic? Make a plan to succeed by getting the support you need. As a Health Coach, I specialize in helping people make their own healthy changes. Ready to get started? Visit www.sarawolfsen.com or email me at sarawolfsen@gmail.com today.

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Sara Wolfsen is a Certified Health Coach who specializes in helping people make their own healthy changes by providing private health coaching, nutrition education and wellness classes, and gentle weight-loss guidance and support.  Schedule your complimentary coaching session and learn more online at www.sarawolfsen.com.

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