Motivation Articles

 

A New Conversation About Dreams - The Power of Intention
By Marcia Wieder-- America's Dream Coach

It's time to change the way we think and speak about our dreams.
Transforming a conversation, just like manifesting a dream, begins by
setting an intention. Your intentions will assist you in taking greater
control of your life.

A working definition for intention is: "to have in mind a purpose or
plan, to direct the mind, to aim." Lacking intention, we sometimes
stray without meaning or direction. But with it, all the forces of
the universe can align to make even the most impossible, possible. My
intention is to transform the conversation around dreams from fear
and doubt, to hope and possibility, followed by action and results.

Some might say this is not the right time to dream. The media and
masses say, "It's time to be realistic." Consider this. Without our
dreams all we have is our present reality. Reality is not a bad
thing. We have to know where we are so we can design the appropriate
strategy for getting to where we want to be. The challenge is our
attitude around "reality" and being "realistic" and what being
realistic has cost us. Often that's our passion and joy, our hopes
and dreams.

Given the unknowns and sometimes craziness of life, there's never
been a more important time to dream and setting your intention is the
first step. When should you set an intention? You could set an
intention every day. Your intention could be to work less and make
more, or to find a new career that you are passionate about. It could
be to get healthy and physically fit, or to spend more quality time
with loved ones or alone. It can be specific and about something in
particular or more like a quality, such as to be more relaxed or
involved with life.

At seventy, Bessie set an intention to become a world famous
photographer. Although many thought she was too old, she didn't. She
entered a photo contest where she won the first prize of $10,000. Her
prize-winning photo toured around the world with a Kodak exhibit. She
told me, "We're never too old to make a dream come true."

People set intentions on all kinds of dreams; to get married or have
children, to get a job or make a career change, to write a book, lose
weight, or move to a foreign country. When you set an intention and
then act on it to demonstrate your commitment, amazing things occur.
Intention can also give us fortitude for dealing with tough times.

I am currently rebuilding my home. I simply wanted to add on a new
bathroom, but with all the surprises an old (and charming) house can
offer, every turn has been a shock, sometimes even a nightmare. It
looks like the entire building may need to be rebuilt. My intention
is to live through this process with dignity and grace. I am tested
daily. It's often not easy, but this intention has helped me maintain
composure, sanity, and on a good day, a sense of humor. Intention can
be used for community or social issues, global events or (literally)
in your own backyard.

For example:
*Before you get out of bed, you can intend to have a fun or
productive day.
*Before you leave the house, you can intend to have quality time
with your family or roommate.
*Before you start your car, you can intend to have a safe ride to
work.
*Before you enter your workplace, you can intend to learn something
new or be helpful.
*Before the meeting begins, you can intend to be brilliant or calm.

First Steps:

1. Get clear about something you want and write it down.
2. Share your intention with someone in a way that will supportively
hold you accountable to taking action.
3. Do something today to demonstrate your commitment to your
intention.
4. Acknowledge that you did what you said you would and then, take
the next step.

By setting an intention, you make it clear to yourself and others,
just what you plan to do. Set an intention to redefine what it means
to be serious about your dreams.

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Marcia Wieder, America's Dream Coach, is a best-selling author and
speaker known for giving inspiring and moving talks to AT&T, The Gap
and American Express. She appeared several times on Oprah and The
Today Show. She's also writes for The San Francisco Chronicle. To
receive Marcia's free e-book filled with simple steps you can take to
act on any dream. Send a request to: info@dreamcoach.com

.To experience a Powerful Weekend Designed to Help You Exceed Your
Expectations & Achieve Your Dreams, visit
http://hits.affiliatetraction.com/cgi-bin/redir?pd_link=i1-a9168-o1584-c1616

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