Set Intentions
Before an activity or decision, name the outcome you want and how you intend to act. Use that intention to check whether your actions serve your aims.
THE IDEA
Set Intentions
Before starting an activity, decide what you want to accomplish and how you want to act. For example, you might begin the day with the intention of being more mindful and purposeful in your decisions.
During the activity, check whether your attention and actions match that intention. This gives you a way to reconnect what you are doing with your aims.
When to use it
Before starting a creative project to define the desired outcome and maintain focus.
At the beginning of a workday to prioritize tasks with purpose and reduce distractions.
When entering a negotiation to keep interactions constructive and aligned with long-term goals.
Prior to a learning session to set an intention for deep understanding rather than mere completion.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Daily Intention Setting
At the start of your workday, set an intention to be fully present and patient during meetings, reducing reactivity and improving collaboration.
Intention for a Difficult Conversation
Before a challenging discussion with a colleague, set the intention to listen actively and respond with empathy, rather than focusing on winning the argument.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
How can you set a meaningful intention for tomorrow that aligns with your core values?
What specific intention could make your next team meeting more productive and collaborative?
Reflect on a recent decision: If you had set an intention beforehand, how might the outcome have differed?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Thinking in Systems and Mental Models Think Like a Super Thinker (Dawson, Marcus P)