Daily Intentions: Simple Techniques To Stay Committed And Focused

Our brains are very good at forgetting what we want to achieve, especially if it requires us to step out of our comfort zones. One of the brain’s functions is to maintain efficiency by keeping our lives as predictable as possible. To combat this natural tendency, we need to deliberately and consistently remind ourselves of our goals and intentions. Here are some strategies to help you keep your intentions top of mind every day.

Strategies for Setting and Maintaining Daily Intentions

1. Write Your Intention Every Morning

– Start your day by writing out your daily intention. For example, ‘Within 30 days, I will have completely decluttered my house’ or ‘By a certain date, I will be running 10 miles a week’. Writing your intention daily reinforces your commitment and keeps your goal at the forefront of your mind.

2. Visual Reminders

Write out your intention once and put it somewhere you’ll see it every day:
– Set it as your phone screensaver.
– Use it as the background on your computer.
– Stick it on the mirror in your bathroom or on the fridge in the kitchen.

3. Use Digital Tools

– Set daily intention reminders or alarms on your phone to prompt you to think about your intention.
– Use apps designed for goal tracking and habit formation, which can send you daily notifications and provide a visual progress tracker.

4. Verbal Affirmations

– Start each day with verbal affirmations of your intention. Saying your goal out loud can reinforce your commitment and help embed it in your subconscious.

5. Journal About Your Intentions

– Keep a daily journal where you reflect on your daily intention. Write about your progress, any obstacles you encountered and how you plan to overcome them. This reflection can help you stay motivated and adjust your strategies as needed.

6. Create a Vision Board

– A vision board can be a powerful visual reminder of your goals. Include images, quotes and other items that represent your intentions. Place the board somewhere you’ll see it every day.

Reinforcing Your Daily Intentions

The key to making your daily intentions a reality is consistency. The more you remind your brain of your goals, the more likely you are to take the necessary actions.

Here are additional tips for reinforcing your daily intentions:

• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement can keep you motivated.
• Take Daily Actions: Break down your goal into manageable steps and commit to taking action every day. Consistent action, even if small, leads to significant progress over time.
• Stay Accountable: Share your intention with a friend or accountability partner who can support you and help keep you on track.
• Reflect and Adjust: Regularly review your progress and make adjustments as needed. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to tweak your approach.

Action Acceleration

Decide on a method (or several) to keep your daily intention top of mind. By consistently reminding yourself of your goals and taking deliberate action, you’ll move from the idea stage to implementation and eventually achieve automaticity.