Intention Setting

An effective way to increase your energy levels and to bring the right attitude to the task at hand according to Brendan Burchard in his book High Performance Habits, is to take a moment before each transition — e.g. before entering a call or meeting a friend— and clarify what your intention is going into the activity.

It’s all too easy to inadvertently bring over unwanted energy — the kind that doesn’t serve us or the situation — from the last thing we did, to what we’re doing next.

Last week I called a friend shortly after troubleshooting some frustrating technical issues on my computer. It became obvious that I’d brought some lingering frustration over to our conversation, which was uncalled for and unhelpful.

It wasn’t until I took a moment to reset and explicitly decide what kind of energy I wanted to bring to our conversation, and what version of myself my friend ultimately deserved from me, that I was able to let go and fully transition.

To help bring your best foot forward, ask yourself before every transition: “What is my intention? What does the situation deserve?”

Also consider, Brendan Burchard’s suggestion: “…if you decide to set one intention that will raise your energy and change your life more than any other, make it to bring more joy into your daily life.”