How to write good, actionable intentions
When it comes to making meaningful progress towards your goals, writing good, actionable intentions is a crucial step. However, not everyone is the same, and different approaches work for different people. Let’s explore how to craft intentions that are tailored to you, ensuring they are both actionable and achievable.
Understanding your style
Some people prefer writing longer paragraphs to articulate their intentions in detail, while others might jot down short sentences or even just a few hashtags. The key is to try out different styles to find what works best for you. Remember, what works best often depends not only on your personal preference but also on the specific Matter at hand.
For example, if one of your Matters is to improve your physical health, your intentions might look like this:
"Go for a 30-minute run three times this week."
"Incorporate a 10-minute stretching routine every morning."
These intentions work great because they are clear and specific. By the end of the week, you will be able to determine whether you have achieved what you wanted.
Alternatively, if you are focused on eating a cleaner diet, your intentions might be more abstract:
"Be more mindful of everything I’m eating."
"No more snacks in the evening, stick with apples or other fruit instead."
These intentions serve as constant reminders to curb bad habits and introduce better ones. If you prefer a more specific plan, you might write down your meal plan for each day of the week. Ultimately, you need to find what works best for you and each Matter.
Create a calm environment
When setting your intentions for the next week, it’s important to create a calm and focused environment. Take a few moments to reflect on the past week and think deeply about what you want to achieve in the coming days. This quiet time will help you clearly define your intentions and ensure they are meaningful and aligned with your overall goals.
Keep them actionable and achievable
For most people, the key to effective intentions is to make them actionable and achievable. This takes some getting used to, and you will find that what works best is to think specifically about the next week and what makes it different from any other week. This helps create intentions that feel meaningful each week, rather than evergreen intentions that eventually resonate less and less with you, detrimentally affecting your motivation and ability to stick to your intentions.
For instance, instead of setting a vague intention like "Get fit" for every week, break it down into actionable steps and adapt it to the upcoming week:
"Complete three gym workouts and go for a run on the meeting-free Thursday morning."
"Cook healthy meals at home five times this week and don’t drink too much at the birthday party on Saturday."
Find the right balance
Balance ambition with realism to maintain your motivation. Setting overly ambitious intentions can be discouraging if you fail to meet them, while setting easily achievable ones might not push you enough to make real progress. Finding the right balance is crucial for a satisfying and productive week.
Focus on the week ahead
Your intentions should cover only the next week, not beyond that. This short-term focus helps you stay grounded and allows you to make adjustments based on your progress. Long-term goals can be broken down into weekly intentions, making them more manageable and less overwhelming. This focus also helps you find the aforementioned specific adjustments that make each week unique and challenging.
Check-in regularly
Throughout the week, have some check-ins to remind yourself of your intentions and ensure you are on track. Not only do these check-ins help you stay on track amid the hectic stuff happening in your life, but they also teach you how to write your intentions more effectively in the future.
By following these guidelines and finding the approach that works best for you, you’ll be well on your way to writing good, actionable intentions. Remember, the most important thing is to stick to the weekly pattern. By consistently setting and reviewing your intentions each week, you'll make significant progress over time through many small, achievable steps. You got this!