The Art of Intent

No one starts their day out determined to be pessimistic I’m sure, but it seems that when adversity rears it’s head, most of humanity tends to switch to the default setting that hope works tirelessly to overcome. Listening to Dr. David Keane (Coaching Junction) talk about the key characteristics that successful people exhibited, it was clear that those who achieved more, were deliberate in their efforts. Most of us have a greater desire to stay positive in our approach to life…on paper that is, but when the proverbial melon hits the fan, we usually swap our own chosen reality for the reality being visited upon us.

So what then should our approach be? Intentional! While we acknowledge that intent does not always lead to action, it’s a great place to start. Someone defined success as ‘being on the path to the achievement of (a) worthwhile goal(s).’ It’s not where you’ve been, but the direction in which you’re heading that matters. Intent, when followed up with suitable action delivers the result.

For those who know me well enough, you’ll know why this next bit appealed to me. Dr. Keane suggested that being DELIBERATE meant:
• being Decisive
• Eliminating instead of accumulating-learning to live with less
• watching your Language-especially your self-talk
• monitoring how you manage Information-avoiding info overload
• knowing what your Beliefs are
• managing your Energy-physical, emotional and spiritual
• taking 100% Responsibility
• taking Action
• effectively utilising your Time
• Evaluating your plans

So change your default setting and be deliberate, be intentional about living with Hope!