Power of Attention + Intention
Research shows we are missing out on 50% of our lives. Why? Because we aren’t paying attention!
That means - were only showing up as our best selves, performing to our full potential in our work, bring our dreams to fruition, have the relationships we desire, or even sticking to a diet - only 1/2 the time because our attention is elsewhere!
Attention is our most precious resource, our fuel for success because where we direct our attention, we direct our life energy
But its not our fault! The main sources of distraction are not technology but 1. distracting thoughts; the stories we tell ourselves, or ruminating on the past or future 2. emotional unresolved trauma causing stress 3. physical pain, exhaustion, health-ailments, 4. mental, physical deficiencies
Now what - how can we direct our attention to what truly matters?
Turns out, our brain’s attention system is as trainable as our body physical system - just like we work a certain body part to increase its strength, we can do the same for our brain. The most effective ways to take our mind to the gym is mindfulness.
Mindfulness, or being mindful is available to us in every moment. Mindfulness strengthens and improve coordination between brain networks that carry out a variety of attentional functions; our ability to direct our focus, witness our environments and experience, and manage our goals and behaviors. This basic human ability to be fully present, aware of what we are thinking, doing and what is happening around us, is more readily available and accessible when we practice it.
One practice to begin.
To start to understand and train your mind, try this simple and easy practice. Try this practice tomorrow morning.
Try to remember, ask a partner to remind you or write a post-it note next to your bedside to jog your memory. Try not to reach for your phone until you have finished the practice.
On waking, sit in your bed or a chair in a relaxed posture. Close your eyes, go inward and connect with the sensations of your body. How does your body feel?
Take three long, deep breaths from your belly — breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Then let your breath settle into its own rhythm, noticing the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you breathe. Do this until you feel calm, maybe a few rounds of breath or a few minutes.
Ask yourself your version of ‘what is my intention for today?’, ‘how can I show up as my best self today?’, ‘how can I take care of myself today?’
After a few minutes of thinking over these prompts, set your intention for the day. This can be one word or a phrase such as ‘today, I will be kind and thoughtful to myself and others’, ‘today I will stay grounded and balanced in the face of challenge’, ‘today I will do my best to achieve my goals’, or anything else you feel is important
Throughout the day, revisit your intention. Perhaps setting a notification on your phone to go off at intervals to remind you of your intention. Notice through out the day and as you do this practice regularly, you become more and more conscious of your intentions for the day and life and how this improves your mood, the quality of your relationships, and ability to achieve your goals.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Personally and everyone who follow through with this sees and feels big shifts in their mindset and and productivity!
The limits of my language mean the limits of my world – Ludwig Wittgenstein