Day 2: You’ve Got To Really Want This

By on December 19, 2008 in Happiness, Living Your Purpose, Success

January 5 – 9, 2009
Week 1 : What Is Your Intent?

You’ve Got To Really Want This

Several years ago, I read something about the scientifically proven best way to do laundry. You’re supposed to fill with water first, then soap, then clothes. I’d been doing it backwards for almost 40 years. I decided to start doing it right. It’s now six years later and I have never done it “correctly.” I always forget until I’ve already loaded the clothes and am pouring in the detergent. 

This story reveals a couple things. First, how hard it is to change a habit, even a small one. If I were really to change, I’d need to post reminders on the washer. When I caught myself doing it the old way, I’d stop, take the clothes out, and put the water in first. I’d ask my husband to remind me as he saw me walking toward the laundry room.

Eventually, if I did it enough times, it would become my new routine. But frankly, I don’t care enough to put in the effort.

That’s the crucial point here: how important intention is. Because it takes work, often a lot of work and sacrifice, you have to really want to bring something into being. Deeply, truly, honestly. Otherwise it’s too easy to slide back into the same old, same old.

However, if you really want it, you’ll keep at it. Despite setbacks, interruptions, and sidetracks. No matter how long you get off course, you’ll eventually return—if your intention is strong enough.

So when you begin any change effort, whether it’s to start something new or stop something old, you’ve got to get crystal clear on your intention. Intention is not a wish or a hope. It is a commitment from the deepest part of ourselves to bringing something positive into our lives and or into the world. As such, it is a powerful energizing force that sets the process of change into motion. It’s not something to take lightly.

To Try: Think about something you’ve changed in your life in the past. How did intention help you then? How did you keep your intention alive?

Ready to get started? Post your intent and find community support and content to help you achieve it!

Adapted from This Year I Will…: How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True

 

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

About mj.ryan

A member of Professional Thinking Partners who is recognized as a leading expert in change, M.J. Ryan specializes in coaching high performance executives, entrepreneurs, individuals, and leadership teams around the world to maximize performance and fulfillment. Her clients include Microsoft, Royal Dutch Shell, Chevron, Hewitt Associates, and Frito Lay. Her work is based on a combination of positive psychology, strengths-based coaching, the wisdom traditions, and cutting edge brain research. Her new book, titled “AdaptAbility: How to Survive Change You Didn't Ask For” was recently released published by Random House’s Broadway Books.  She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and daughter.

www.MJ-Ryan.com

View all posts by mj.ryan →

, ,

2 Responses to Day 2: You’ve Got To Really Want This

  1. Ziggy January 6, 2009 at 10:25 am #

    This is great what a tool for walking your way back home, thanks for taking the time and look forward to class, I'll be the little bald guy sitting in the front row, warm and gracious hugs

    Touch Everything Attach Nothing

    Ziggy

  2. manasa June 5, 2009 at 2:53 pm #

    nice… thanks for helping me realise – get out of the comort zone to achieve your intent.