Set a Daily Intention
Think about the difference between the following two statements:
- I plan to finish my project by 3:00 today.
- I intend to finish my project by 3:00 today.
Which statement is more powerful? Which one makes you believe that the person making the statement is more likely to follow through?
Of course, to intend to do something has more potency than to plan to do it. Intention implies determination, will, and resolve. There’s a boldness to an intention that a plan can never muster.
When you set a daily intention, you resolve to make it happen, come hell or high water. You are determined to prioritize this action or mind-set to the exclusion of other activities in order to assure you make it happen.
Intentions give you a sense of purpose, as well as the inspiration and motivation to achieve your purpose.
Define Three Daily Goals
Why three goals?
Because three is a manageable number.
Rather than writing a to-do list of twenty or more items, make it simple. Narrow your list to the top three that you know with certainty you can achieve during the day. You can always do more, as long as you achieve your top three.
Having just three goals also allows you the time and mental energy to focus on them mindfully and thoroughly, without pressure to rush through each action in order to get to the next one. Taking your time with each goal allows you to enjoy the process of completing them.
Visualize Your Daily Goals
Visualization doesn’t just enhance athletic performance. It can be used in daily life to relieve stress and performance anxiety, enhance preparation, and add more power to your physical and mental efforts.
Visualization has been shown to impact motor control, attention, perception, planning, and memory, priming your brain for success in whatever you want to accomplish.
The simple act of visualizing, which requires mindfulness, focus, and creativity, frees the mind from mental chatter and negativity.