This is a question that I come back to again and again. It rarely fails to soothe anxiety and negativity, across a vast range of different situations. It’s really helpful for refocusing the mind when I find myself stuck in an old pattern of thinking. It reminds me of what matters, when I’m obsessing about what doesn’t and it moves me towards thoughts that are constructive, instead of debilitating.
Example 1: I’m spiralling after Jiu-Jitsu, because ‘I’m not good enough, I should be better, I’m not as technical as that person, I got dominated by that person who’s been doing it for less time… etc. etc.’
But wait, what’s my intention? It’s to have fun, to grow, to get a good workout… So in that case, I had a great session! Mindset changed.
Example 2: I had an honest conversation with someone I care about and it didn’t go well. Now, I feel awful.
But wait, what’s my intention? It’s to do the right thing, even when it’s hard; to be honest and bold, because that’s better than the alternative. This doesn’t mean that I won’t still feel rubbish, but it’ll likely reduce the intensity of these feelings. I’ll take it as a win that I did something courageous.
My natural inclination when facing a problem is to focus on the negative, which makes me feel hopeless. But when I set an intention, I regain some power. I get to control the narrative and set my own success criteria.
Anxious-Ambition.com 