"Setting Powerful Intentions"

By Nina Atwood

Setting goals is essential to business success. Because goals are concrete, specific, and measurable, they enable us to quickly determine if we are on or off track with initiatives. However, there is another tool that is distinctly different from and even more powerful than goal setting and that is setting intentions.

Goals are the destination - the exact end point toward which we are aiming. If we were talking about a ship, the goal would be New York or Boston - no mistaking which!

Intentions are the rudder of the ship - they guide and steer us on our life or business path. They also provide energy and power to move us forward. Intentions flow directly out of mission and purpose, and they may be conscious or unconscious.

If the goal is to increase business by 25% this year, an intention might be "to greatly expand marketing activities so that our value proposition stands out as unique and far more potential customers are drawn to us." Another intention that supports the goal might be "to empower our sales force to speak powerfully and positively to customers so that we create new business more rapidly and easily."

        To be effective, intentions must be aligned on multiple levels:

• First, intentions must support the overall vision, mission and purpose. When we put conscious attention to creating them, intentions naturally and easily keep us on course with overall organizational and project objectives

• Second, we must have the resources and tools to make it happen. For instance, the intention to empower our sales force means that we provide exceptional training in the art of communication at the critical point of connection with the customer, as well as helping them achieve mastery about the company's products and services.

• Third, intentions must be aligned with one another. If we set the intention to expand marketing activities, it is not likely to work if there is a simultaneous intention to slash the marketing budget. There must be a specific plan in place for getting more "bang" out of fewer bucks, for example, in order for the primary intention to be effective.

• Fourth, we must believe that they are possible. Having specific actions steps each day that clearly move initiatives forward makes our efforts real and believable.

• Fifth, and most important, intentions must support the good of the individuals in the organization. When initiatives take care of everyone concerned, we create inspiration, motivation, and positive energy.

When things do not flow, or they go off course, look for conflicting unconscious intentions. One client set the intention of increasing business by 25%, yet had a simultaneous intention to spend more time with family. His efforts were half-hearted until we addressed the issue of working smarter so that he could honor both intentions. In this instance, we implemented new methods of time management and workflow so that we created more time and energy for the client's personal goals.

The power of intentions is limitless! First, define what you truly desire for your business. Set intentions that empower your vision. Then, determine the steps, resources, and tools that are necessary to make it happen. Make sure that you define the role of others in your vision and include them in the creative process. Next to our own creative energy, people are our most powerful resource. Now, begin today to bring your vision into reality!

Article Copyright 2002 by Nina Atwood, All Rights Reserved

Reprints only by permission of Nina Atwood