True Living with Authentic Intention

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Knock It Out Of The Park

 

-By Angel True

If there was a lesson to be drawn from the '00 decade it might be something like: "Don't build your castle on a foundation of sand."

The mass media over the last month has been running multiple stories, as they usually do at this time of year, looking back at what's happened. They've assessed the last year and last decade as "really lousy". We've had 2 recessions, 2 major wars, a massive increase in world turmoil including terrorism and political instability, astronomically high budget deficits, major economic transitions and some pretty fundamental social transformations. The world discovered that if you don't build life, business and the economy on a solid foundation it will eventually come crumbling down around you. This decade and one that will go down in the history books as having been tumultuous, challenging and transformative!

Now it's a new year and a new decade, though, and an opportunity to fundamentally alter your direction, actions and results. So the question is: "What are you going to do with this opportunity and how will you do it?" Here are a few suggestions as you consider that question.

First, consider what you actually want to accomplish. Is it a new job, new career, new business, expanding your professional skill set, more fun in life, better relationships, deeper personal growth, more spiritual exploration or something else? Write these accomplishments down in a list. Now consider these accomplishments and the results that you desire from these accomplishments. Results are the impact you desire such as: stable relationships, financial stability, happiness, health, satisfying career, etc. Make another list.

Using this list of clear results ask yourself "Which portion is within my control?" Keep in mind that what other people do, how they behave or what they agree to is NOT in your control. The portion in your control is that which you can directly affect, how you behave and how you perceive a given situation or activity. Make another list.

When you've identified the result you want and the portion that is fully within your control take a step back and look at that result. Ask yourself "What would get in the way of me accomplishing this result?" Make a list of all the possible factors that might get in your way. Then make a second list of all the possible actions you could take to manage those distractions.

At this point you now have the following lists:
1. Accomplishments
2. Desired Results
3. What's In My Control
4. What Gets In The Way
5. How I Can Manage What Gets In The Way

In just a few minutes you've identified some very powerful and useful information but it's still not the part that will really drive you forward into getting what you want for the New Year and New Decade. This will give you an action plan and something to DO…but that is all.

If you're ready to create really dramatic change then you need to create a fundamental shift in the way you behave and engage the world. This isn't about what you do or accomplish but is about how you ARE. Knocking it out of the park requires you to adopt a new way of BEING.

You establish your way of being by setting your intention. Intention is the core of self that decides how you engage every moment, every action, every challenge, every obstacle, every fear, every goal and every breath of your life! To figure out what your intention needs to be take a look at the lists you've created. Ask yourself "How do I get in the way of these accomplishments, results and obstacles? How can I change my approach so that it supports the best outcome of every moment?"

Consider the fundamental core of your behavior that will best support this. Is it about lowering resistance, being more mindful, loving yourself fully, becoming more present, thinking positively, being less attached, being more kind, opening yourself or is it something else? Ask yourself "What is the way I want to be that no matter what happens I will feel I've done my absolute best?"

When you have that answer write it down and phrase it as a positive approach. This is your intention for the New Year and perhaps the New Decade. Focus on this way of being in every moment and with every fiber of your being. Focus on being this way as you do these things you've identified in your lists.

Let everything else follow from this intention and way of being and you'll knock it out of the park!

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