Setting an intention requires first understanding what it is that you’re actually after.

In regard to your physical health, job, relationships, or any other area in your life, mindfully asking yourself what your primary intent is will cause you to step back and gain clarity regarding the situation at hand. Rather than simply resolving to “get in shape”, take that a step further and examine the feelings within the desired goal. Is getting in shape

• not liking the way your clothes fit, or is it about your dismay at becoming breathless when you attempt to climb a flight of stairs?
• the physical discomfort of too many incidents of overeating, or the mental dismay over feeling a lack of control regarding your eating?
• fear for your health and longevity, or are you fearful of something you can’t yet name and it’s taking a toll on your energy?

Often we attribute our being out of shape to a lack of willpower regarding diet and exercise when in truth that may actually be the least of the issue. But we can’t address the issue until we become aware of the issue.

How do we become aware of the issue? By going within, asking for guidance, and being still long enough to tap into what we’re being told and shown.

Don’t expect this to be a day, month, or year long endeavor. Discovery takes as long it takes. It’s not attached to a time frame. You may likely not be privy to what point it began, nor will it “end”.

Upon doing so, if the person noted above who resolved to get in shape examines the feelings behind the desired goal and finds that what is truly troubling them is a perceived lack of control, their true intention has now been made clear: gain increased self-control.

They can now direct their energy toward focusing on this intention, and once working toward achieving it, the other objectives affected in this area become more easily reachable. Not because they’d acquired any more willpower than they’d ever had, but because they addressed the actual issue rather than attempting to treat the symptoms.

Setting your intention is one of the first steps in navigating change. Not surprisingly, it will not be the only step involved.

As Andy Stanley reminds us, intention alone will not bring us to our destination. We must also be heading in the direction that aligns with our objective. Doing so requires an open-minded flexibility toward seeking and applying instruction and a willingness to become uncomfortable- just two of the many soul workouts that will show up consistently in our lives.

For today, set your intention mindfully without concern for naming additional intentions, as these will show themselves in their own time and at their own pace.

As always, you are off the clock.