Set your Intent, a Simple Hack to Peak Your Performance and Find Deeper Meaning

Have you ever been in a meeting or a role without a clear agenda or purpose? It can drain your energy, motivation, and desire to succeed. I've been there and still remember the frustration it can cause. Fortunately, I've learned that setting intentions can empower us more than we realise in such situations. Whether you're a trainee, a seasoned professional, an elite athlete, or an entrepreneur, understanding the power of intention can significantly impact your performance and success.

The Essence of Setting Your Intention 

Intent refers to a purpose or plan, a determination to act in a certain way or achieve a specific outcome. Intent is often more about the mindset or attitude behind an action; it's about the "why" behind what you're doing. 

It's a conscious way to direct your energy and focus toward achieving specific long-term and day-to-day objectives.

Practical Steps for Setting Your Intention:

1. Pause and Prepare: Before a meeting or significant task, find a quiet spot to mentally prepare and take a few deep breaths to feel centred. 

2. Connect the activity to your goal: What is in it for you and your main goal for the situation.

3. Set a Clear Intention: Choose one specific intention that aligns with your goal, such as providing valuable insights, actively supporting colleagues, or creating buy-in for your idea.

4. Visualise Success: Visualise a successful outcome, reinforcing your intention. Also, could you consider repeating a positive affirmation that strengthens your chosen intention? A positive affirmation could, for instance, be: "I am confident and convincing, and my idea resonates with others."

6. Stay Mindful: Remember your intention throughout the event, ensuring your actions and words align.

7. Reflect and Learn: Reflect on whether you achieved your intention after the event. You can use this reflection to adjust your intentions for future situations.

Now imagine that you worked intentionally with intention setting ;-) in your team. One could even imagine that you started your meetings by setting your intentions together and sharing them so that you knew your intentions and how you could play your colleagues great. That would be proper teamwork, right 🙂

The Benefits of Setting Your Intention 

From a performance perspective, setting your intention offers several tangible benefits: increased productivity, better decision-making, boosted motivation and confidence, improved time management and goal attainment. But interestingly, there is also a deeper, more holistic dimension to it.

The Holistic Dimension

Beyond performance, continually setting your intent can also be a profound spiritual practice that connects you with a deeper sense of purpose and well-being. When you set intentions, you can align your actions and goals with your core values and beliefs. This alignment creates a sense of authenticity and integrity in your actions.

Beyond the surface-level goals, continued intention-setting encourages you to explore the deeper meaning of your actions. It prompts questions like, "Why am I doing this?" and "What impact does it have on my life and the world?" This introspection can lead to a more meaningful and purpose-driven existence. 

Ultimately, it's about living a life that reflects your most authentic self and positively impacts the world around you. 

Your path begins with a single intention—what will yours be today?