Do you create To-Do lists on a regular basis?
TO DO Lists are great. They are a reminder of things we need --- TO DO.
Do you enjoy making the list? Maybe
DO you always follow up?? Mostly
DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO DO THE THINGS ON THE TO DO LIST??? NO!?
OK, so Let’s forget the DOING part for a moment and focus on the BEING.
I believe that it all starts with the INTENTION before you start the DOING..
Merriam Webster’s 1st definition of intention is: A DETERMINATION TO ACT IN A CERTAIN WAY.
Now, why would this be important? IT IS important, because it addresses on how you want to feel while you ACT. It is clear, that you will act, but Intention determines in which WAY you want to ACT.
To make this point clear, I will show you an example of my TO DO list for today (this is only an excerpt):
· Pay bills
· Clean bathroom
· Call Mom
How much fun is this list?
Well, it depends I guess. But let’s just assume that it’s not TOO MUCH fun for most people. And in the past it wasn’t too much for for me either.
Who likes to pay bills? Clean? Or HAVE TO call someone.
Will it make a difference, if I put a certain intention or ‘a determination to act in a certain way’ behind or before each of those TO DO’s?
ABSOLUTELY.
To demonstrate it, I am sharing intentions I have:
Paying bills:
I intend to do this efficiently, fast, and thorough. But I also want to feel a certain way: GRATEFUL. Grateful for the service that is provided to me. In this case, water and electricity before I even pay. You guessed it, it’s my PG&E bill!
Cleaning the bathroom:
How do I want to feel: present. And I want to have fun.
FUN doing this, so I will maybe put on some great music and make it my workout.
Call my Mom:
I intend to be present and flexible. I want to be a great listener and communicator. I also don’t want to be hurried. I will stay open.
Do you notice, how the energy suddenly shifts?
I am giving my TO DO’s a deeper purpose.
I don’t just want to GET THEM DONE, but acknowledge that every action I take can have a meaning. And I am the one to attach the meaning to in.
Suddenly my TO DO list turns into something that I look forward to.
Just by intending on how I want to feel and how I want to execute my actions.
This list is only one little example where Intention can make a big difference. The possibilities are endless.
I encourage you to try this out today.
Take little intention breaks before each activity you do:
Eating – intent to be nourished and satisfied.
When you drive, intent to be relaxed and focused. Arrive refreshed at your destination.
When you talk, intend to be present, connected and open.
Or make up your own intentions.
It is fun and it DOES make a difference!
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