The Power of Intention

The other day I was listening to a podcast called The Career Warrior Podcast. A guest on the show discussed focusing on intentions behind career moves to stay motivated rather than the end goal itself. For example, say you would like to receive a salary increase by the end of the year. Instead of focusing on the number of the increase, focus on why you would like the increase. Perhaps the increase means you and your family get to take a vacation next year. Maybe the increase means you can make a new dent in paying off student loans. Focusing on the intentions for what reaching that goal means helps maintain motivation for achieving that goal.

                I believe this is a fantastic idea not only for career related goals, but for all goals. Goals geared towards quitting a bad habit. Goals geared towards establishing a new healthy habit. Goals for ourselves a year from now or even five years from now. It is a great feeling to be motivated. Motivation is like wind in your sails, carrying you forward in the direction you wish to go to the place you wish to reach. However, motivation, like wind, can die out. Sometimes we can sit on the water and enjoy where we are at. Happy to be taken as far as we have. After some time, the wind meets our sails again and we can continue to sail. What if we don’t have time to hang out on the water? Sometimes goals follow a timely course. This is when intentions are important.

                 When you are working towards a goal, think about all the reasons you want to achieve that goal. Imagine how achieving that goal will change your life. Imagine how achieving that goal will change the lives of the ones you love. Why is achieving this goal important for you? What new opportunities await once you achieve this goal? These questions may seem basic. The answers may seem simple, but often our minds are in problem solving mode. Our mind sees the goal as sort of a problem to fix. A task to cross off our list. This way of thinking can be draining. Especially if you have a goal that you will need to continue to work towards for months or years at a time. Focusing on intentions is like an endless supply of wind for your motivational sails. A perceived promise of the results that await you. Much more pleasurable to think about than a problem you must constantly work on solving. Who knows, with all the extra wind, you may find yourself traveling to places you only previously imagined.

Written By: Hillary R., Masters Level Intern 2023

If you would like to speak to a professional counselor or psychologist about this and are in the Chicago area, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167^th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.