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I consider that an important principle of empowerment is
to identify an intention; a technique related to that
principle is to write down the statement of intention. I
consciously use the principle of intention in all
aspects of my work, and express intention frequently
with my clients. I also advocate writing down a
statement of intention in certain situations.
An intention exists for every thought and every action.
It is a given. There is no question whether or not an
intention exists; the question is, What is the
intention? You might even consider that an intention is
the thought behind a thought, or the thought that powers
a thought. It can be very enlightening to bring your
intention to the surface after an event. It is even more
enlightening to create an intention before an event so
that the identified intention guides you in more
empowering actions.
If you identify an intention that you be "open and
appreciative" in a certain situation, you have directed
yourself to be in a particular consciousness. This
intention suggests certain actions; however, no specific
actions are necessary in order to be in a particular
consciousness or attitude. Actions follow an intention.
And actions follow an intention whether you are aware of
the intention or not.
The act of writing a few words or a complete sentence
helps to focus attention more effectively than just
thinking about an intention. I often recommend this
technique to clients. Some clients tell me that they
feel more accountable to themselves when they take a few
seconds to write words that capture an intention.
Here are a few examples of intention. Note the
simplicity -- you will find it easier to remember a few
words than a complex sentence. Note the focus -- you
want to inspire yourself about a way of being, rather
than to delineate specific actions or end results.
* To feel free.
* To approach this situation with openness and
eagerness.
* With love in my heart.
* Open and appreciative.
* Fully engaged in the present moment.
* Seeking balance.
After I suggested this technique to one client
(Timothy), he began to write down a statement or phrase
of intention for each meeting, whether he was its
leader, a participant, or an observer. When he was
responsible for leading meetings, he knew he could
manage certain aspects of the meeting to keep it on
track and in alignment with his intention. At those
times, he became aware of blending and checking his way
of being (consciousness) and his ways of doing
(actions).
However, Timothy's deeper realization of the power of
this technique of writing his intention came during the
meetings when he did not even speak. He wrote his few
words on a pad of paper and kept the pad in his own
private view. He watched in awe as the groups of people
who had been meeting together regularly for years began
to change during one or two meetings. He noticed that
they were more communicative, open, responsive, engaged,
and productive.
I introduced the power of identifying and writing
intentions to Timothy several years ago. I recently had
a conversation with him. He tells me that now
identifying an intention is so embodied into his
management and personal life that he rarely writes down
a statement of intention. He does write an intention,
though, when a situation is particularly challenging to
him.
In my view, a technique is useful until it is no longer
needed because the corresponding principle is embodied.
I identify and/or write a statement of my own intention
for being with my clients so that I provide a space for
them to move as they need or want. I consider that it is
not so much a matter of what I do or say with clients,
but how I am with them. My intention is to be fully
present, engaged, and listening at all levels.
Jeanie Marshall is a
Personal Development Consultant and Coach with Marshall
House,
http://www.mhmail.com. She writes extensively on
subjects related to personal empowerment, meditation,
and effective use of language. She also assists
professional coaches and consultants to write their
knowledge, wisdom, and experiences
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