Most of us don’t realize how powerful our intent is.
I woke up one morning after a late night. It was a damp, rainy, dark day. The last thing I wanted to do was get up and run errands. What I wanted more than anything was a day of rest inside napping. But, I was completely out of cat food, needed to mail a package, and pick up something from the drug store.
I left the house with the clear intention of getting everything done as soon as possible. It started with heading out to Cosco (a warehouse discount store) for the cat food. Incredibly, I got a parking space and a shopping cart within minutes. I made a beeline for the cat food, picked up a few other items and headed toward the checkout counter. I was about to join one line but something told me to pick another one. I did and watched as the other line grew longer and longer due to a checkout problem with a customer who would have been in front of me in line.
Checkout took moments. I headed home thinking about needing to go to the drug store and on the way, saw a parking space right outside the drug store I needed to go to. I found what I wanted and joined a long line in front of the only open cashier. Just then, a staff member opened another checkout station and I was able to check out quickly. I got back into my car and drove to a post office. Once again, there was a parking space right in front. I was in and out within moments. Finally, when I reached home, a parking space was waiting for me right out front instead of the usual 15-20 minute search for an available spot.
There’s something to be said for the benefits of having a strong intention.
Today I had one sales call to make and knew that the person I was seeing was interested in the products I had. The call went well and a good order was received. I had hoped to fill the day with other calls but everyone was too busy and was saying no. However one potential customer said ‘ I cannot see you but you can leave samples’ When I arrived outside the shop, I focused on calmly picking the products I reckoned they would like and set of with the intention of seeing the owner and showing her the products, although she had said she would not have time to see me.
After introducing myself, I mentioned the samples and we sat down to go through the products.
I do believe that calmly focusing the mind on what you want to achieve does work as I have experienced this again and again.
Thanks Margaret. There’s nothing like being intentional.
Such a powerful and simple idea. I notice this when I have a mile-long to-do list and keep thinking/worrying about *how* I’m going to get everything done or about other things I’d rather be doing. Once I stop myself and switch my brain to, “I’m going to do these things today,” the effort is really minimal. Now to get my brain to behave that way naturally!
Tip,
i like the way you describe it as “switching” the brain. So much of what we do and achieve is impacted by how we decide to view things and think about them. aren’t they?