What's Your Intention

Sistas last week was some week!!! I have not needed a weekend so badly in a long while. Lately, my weekends usually start with a yoga session on Saturday mornings. I am very careful about what I feed my mind, so I do a one-on-one customized yoga class for the stretches and relaxation of my aching muscles and joints. I spend many hours at the computer daily so I need to stretch and strengthen my stiff shoulder muscles to relieve neck, shoulder, and back pains.

I really needed it this week. In fact, I could not wake up in time for my usual live class so I did an online class later in the day.

At the end of the session, while I was relaxing and cooling down, the instructor said something that really resonated with me. She said, “Set your intention for the upcoming week.”

At first, I carefully considered what she was asking me to do. I immediately thought of Proverbs 23:7 which says "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he."

I set my intentions.

starting with this weekend, I intend to:

• be calm

• be relaxed

• be at peace

• be unrushed

• be constantly in conversation with God - seeking His guidance on everything

• take breaks and rest (most important of all)

Wow. So far, so good.

As a Group Facilitator I ask participants at the beginning of every session - “what are your expectations for today’s session?” I then share the objectives for the session.

I do this check-in just to confirm that the expectations of the participants and those of the Facilitator (me) are in alignment, and that the objectives I have set for the session as the Facilitator is in alignment with these expectations.

If they are not, I make the necessary adjustments right on the spot (Facilitator skill 101 LOL) so that not only are the objectives met at the end of the session, but expectations are met, and everyone leaves the sessions satisfied.

My participants' responses at the end of one of my workshops - they were to place the sticky shapes beside the face that showed how they felt.

They got creative LOL

By asking them that question I begin to engage them. They become present and think about what they really want out of the time they are about to spend with me and their colleagues. In doing so, they anticipate meeting their expectations and share the responsibility with me to ensure that those expectations are met by being present, participating fully in the activities, and asking questions where they need to for clarification.

Participants being engaged in my workshops

Well, when I was asked to set my intentions for the week, it was revolutionary for me because it was an interesting way for ME to take control of what my week ahead would actually be like. In fact, I think I will follow that question at the beginning of my sessions with “Set your intentions”.

I realize that this is what I should be doing every week and every day even before I plan my week’s and day’s activities. It is more than planning for what I HAVE TO DO, it is deciding WHAT I actually WANT to do, HOW I want to do it, and how I want to FEEL or BE as I do it, and then planning.

When I set my intention for the week or day beforehand, chances are much higher that the way I plan and act will be in alignment with what I intended. I will do what it takes to realize my intentions for the week or day.

Remember that we are created in God’s image and likeness. We have the power to bring what we think into being. God says so in Genesis 11:6 - “... nothing that they imagine to do will now be impossible for them”.

You try it.

Weekend Reset Tip

set your intention for the week/tomorrow.

If your intention is to connect with like-minded women of faith and get support and accountability to get unstuck, move from feeling depleted and defeated and instead realize your God-given purpose and live an abundant life, then join my Recharge & Reset group HERE.