The beginning of a new year brings about a fresh energy, excitement and feeling of being able to begin again. It’s a time where we feel we have another chance to achieve our dreams, form new habits and have the experiences we have always wished for.
I spent this New Years Eve in an intentional space. I created a ceremony around releasing what no longer serves me then consciously focused on what I want to create and experience. On New Years Day I elaborated on my goals and came up with a simple exercise which may also serve you. One that is based on intentions and visualizations.
Intention Alignment Exercise
Step 1 – Connect to your heart
Either download and listen to this 7 minute meditation (recommended) or practice the following exercise below.
(Read first then follow)
Inhale for a count of 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds and exhale for a count of 8 seconds. Repeat this breath 3 more times.
Place your hand on your heart and close your eyes.
Keep your breath focused on your heart. After a few breaths start to feel the energy expand out from your heart and fill the space around you. Then expand out further and connect to everything around you. To the room, other heart energies, to the trees, mountains, oceans, lakes, to the whole planet… Feeling expansive, open and connected.
Step 2 – Set your intentions
Once you’re connected open your eyes, grab your favorite notebook or a piece of paper and from your heart set your intentions.
Imagine all the different aspects and roles you play in your life. Pick the main 3 – 5, then write down your intentions of how you want to feel, live, operate, be and think in each role.
Example roles:
Kelly as an individual (day-to-day life)
Kelly as a wife and partner
Kelly as a mother
Kelly as an entrepreneur
Example intentions:
Kelly as an individual (day-to-day life):
- Living from the heart
- Love and nurture myself
- Listen to and respect body
- Living as my true authentic self
Step 3: Visualize and feel
Once you have written down how you want to live, act and experience each of these aspects, on a daily basis go back and read them. While reading visualize and feel yourself embodying and experiencing your intentions right now.
The power of intentions
Setting intentions (or goals) creates focus in your life and allows you to achieve and experience your dreams and stay in alignment with your purpose. Consciously creating your day by focusing on your attentions steers your life in a happier and fulfilling direction.
The power of visualization
Visualizing intentions, goals and dreams has been a longstanding practice for many groups of people – including athletes, ancient civilizations and many other high achievers. Science has proven that the brain doesn’t know the difference between an actual experience and one that is imagined. Our emotions and body can act in a similar way whether something is being experienced only in the mind or in real life. Visualization allows us to attract what we want (or don’t want) sooner, as we are involving many energetic processes.