WORK FROM HOME (WFH) SERIES NO. 6

As we slowly make our way through the phases of re-opening the economy and our social lives – there are plenty of things to get excited about, both big and small. The thought of returning to work and working with others, seeing people regularly and socializing again brings back memories of going back to school after a long summer apart.  

There was so much excitement about starting a new grade, I remember thinking about all the things I wanted to be and what the year had in store for me now I was another grade 'cooler'. Looking back, a lot of what I was thinking was deciding how I wanted to show up in those moments as this cool new 4th grader who had the best backpack, pens and scrunchie.  One of the things I've learned in my adulthood and further education has been about the importance of having intentionality – similar to how I thought as a 4th grader, trying to decide who I wanted to be that year, and how I wanted to carry myself.

The difference between 'intentions' and 'goals' is when you set an intention, you are creating a guiding principle for how you want to be, and how you want to live [1]. Unlike goals, intentions are not tangible. When you make a goal, we are often encouraged to make 'SMART' goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely). For intentions, you don't need to evaluate yourself or attach an expectation to them, rather, they are something you want to align yourself with and commit to in your life, in that present moment; and for that reason are more likely to succeed than the classic  'New Year’s Resolutions'. Goals are more likely to succeed when we get immediate gratification from them, and expressing and embodying your intentions are a great way to do that [4].

“…WHEN YOU SET AN INTENTION, YOU ARE CREATING A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR HOW YOU WANT TO BE, AND HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE”

Intentions ask how do you want to 'show up' today? What kind of energy do you want to have? What kind of person do you want to be? Some examples of intentions are:

• "I want to be curious of the experience of others"
• "I want to be mindful about how my words affect the emotions of those around me"
• "I want to take my time and weigh all my options before I come to a final decision"
• "I want to make sure everyone's voice is being heard at the meeting"
• "I want to be more health conscious"

“…INTENTIONS ARE MEANT TO BE MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND SOMETHING YOU TRULY WANT TO IMPROVE AT AND WORK ON STRATEGICALLY”

Mindfulness and values are a large part of intention setting- you need to know what your personal values are, and how you feel you can embody those. Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the task you are doing in a given moment. Values, are defined as what we deem to be important  as we practice and embody them. Mindfulness and values can each be their own post- but to summarize, intentions are meant to be meaningful to you and something you truly want to improve at and work on strategically. They are not something you have to do, they are things for you to pay attention to in order to improve yourself. Below are some questions to think about for intentions you might want to set for yourself:

• What do you want to start doing that you weren't doing before?
• What is some constructive feedback you have received recently? How can you act on that feedback?
• When you had a huge success, what did you do in order to get there? What processes would you continue or change up?

Once you have decided on an intention- making it a reality is another story. This requires, as mentioned earlier, mindfulness and a sense of self reflection. Visual reminders can help people, as can physical activities and we encourage each of you to find some time in your day to reflect and think about how you are showing up in your work.

Next post, we will talk a little bit about mindfulness, and how you can make the most of the outdoors to introspect and set some intentions!

Resources:

[1] Positive Psychology Intention Setting

[2] Dare To Lead

[3] Mindfulness in the Workplace

[4] New Year's Resolutions don't Last. Do this Instead

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