Setting Intentions

Goals are important, but you will never achieve them without having a reason to achieve them.

When setting health goals, it's important to ask yourself “WHAT do I want and WHY do I want it?”

The ‘what’ probably comes the easiest. We all want things, but it gets a little trickier when we get down to the 'why'.

This is a crucial first step to achieving your goals and ambitions. Without it you may never get anywhere, since there is no ending point in sight.

Intentions paired with clarity is the driving force behind goals. That’s why getting clear on your intention right from the start is essential to getting what you want out of life.

An intention is a guiding principle for how you want to live your life. It bridges where you are now with where you want to be in the future. An intention offers focus and motivation. It helps you make better decisions and prioritize your time. Once you’re clear on what you want and where you’re headed, it’s easier to know what’s most important now. Your intention will likely change as you grow and your life evolves, but if you have a starting point and a road map, you can easily course correct.

Intentions also help you when you are struggling to stay motivated. On the days where you don't want to get up early and workout, or you want to binge watch your favorite show, or go out to eat even though you know you have healthy options at home, your intention for your future life will serve as your 'motivation'.

Let’s try a little intention setting assignment:

THE 'IN ORDER TO' PRACTICE

A strategy for gaining clarity is to use the words “in order to” after your goal. For example, let’s say that you want to become healthier. This is a very broad goal. There are so many different facets to being healthier. Health can be referring to mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual. Instead of striving to get healthier with everything, drill down into your intention by finishing this phrase: “I want to be healthier in order to _______________.” EXAMPLES: "I want to walk everyday in order to have more energy (this isn't deep enough, keep going!), in order to have the ability to play with my kids, in order to raise children who feel loved knowing their parent was always present." "I want to get healthy in order to lose weight, in order to feel more confident in my skin, in order to be able to make more friends or have more inspiring experiences, in order to live a fulfilling and encouraged life."

Remember: An authentic, inspiring intention is key to reaching your goals and, ultimately, embodies the feelings you want to feel. A meaningful intention is uniquely yours. It’s very much tied to personal values, and it reinforces your belief in your potential.

Also, it’s important to live it out every day even when you don’t feel like it.

Maintain a positive mindset, show up for yourself and see where it all leads. Through God's help, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible!

What is your biggest dream? Why do you want to achieve it? Now once you have that down...

What small things can you do to make that dream a reality?

Set some weekly goals, a one month goal, and a three month goal!

Now go create the life you want to live!

Love,

your coach, katie