A Softer, Kinder Approach
Welcome, I have been feeling into this week's topic and thought I would share in the hope it may support you.
Have you ever thought about the power of having intentions in your days instead of goals?
Those of you who have been receiving my newsletter's for the last few years would have heard me speak about this powerful subject previously. Recently I spoke on this topic to an incredible response from many of the women. They had never given it a thought. It helped them realise how harsh they were on themselves. Then last week in the office, it dawned on me how something I adopted over 20 years ago in a life changing moment, something that is part of my everyday thought patterns can still hold incredible positive power.
You see for me intentions gives a softness (not weakness) but organic flow to the way I view my day. With having been away for the past 3 weeks, on Thursday evening I did a brain dump onto paper and I wrote a list of ten intentions I was hoping to do on Friday. They were intentions, not goals I had to achieve. I had no idea what the day was going to bring my way and so I made a conscious choice to be attentive, enjoy my interactions with each person and flow through the day.
Friday evening came, I had had a full day of chatting and supporting the women I work with and discovered I had been able to achieve four of the ten on the list. I smiled to myself and said "well done." No pressure, no disappointment, just a smile and a feeling that I had filled my day with wonderful care, support, diligence and focus. Getting the four of ten things done left me with a positive feeling, not failure. Now Sunday, I look at the list and all ten on the list are done.
I ask have you ever noticed how often we forget that the best laid plans aren't always in our greatest interest. Especially our mental health. The pressure we and society place upon ourselves as mothers, fathers, partners, employers or employees often slowly chips away at our self-worth and our ability to celebrate our wins no matter how small or big they are. We are always striving for the next best thing, box to tick, not enjoying the ones now.
Perhaps ask yourself - Do you set goals that when they don't happen you feel you failed? Are you able to set a softer (not weaker) but more positive organic mindset for the things you wish to get done each day/week?
Here are some helpful strategies -
Brain dump, list the things you know you would/need to get done
Prioritise them via a number system
Then smile, no attachment but be accountable.
At the end of the day, reassess what you have achieved.
What you haven't done move up the list in priority for the next day.
Seems too simple. Yet many of the women I walk beside have found it incredibly powerful to their overall personal and professional lives. How when they begin to soften their approach to daily life and their inner dialogue big positive things within begin to unfold.
Life is here to be enjoyed, lived and loved. It is not about the finish line, achieving the great "A HA" moment. There are literally billions of them in your life. It is about noticing the every moment, that is where the big wins happen.
Any questions reach out for a connect-chat.
What intentions will you set for the week ahead? Let me know I'd love to hear.
Alli
xo