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Have you ever walked away from a meeting or conversation and wondered, “What just happened?” Maybe you had high expectations about this meeting or this conversation and it ended poorly or maybe it was wildly successful and you aren’t quite sure how this happened. Maybe you left wondering “how can I recreate the results of this meeting or this conversation?”
Often we go through our day without being intentional. Our schedules can be jam packed and we don’t realize how taking a few minutes to be conscious in our interactions can create powerful results.
However, when you are clear about your intentions, the results can be astounding!
You lead with clarity, energy and possibility, creating amazing relationships and bottom line results!
To achieve the results you want and have them occur with greater and greater predictability, set powerful intentions for yourself, the participants in the conversation or meeting and for the end result.
Prior to each important meeting or conversation, take the time to write down what you want.
HERE’S HOW:
Write down:
- The kind of experience YOU want to have in the conversation or meeting.
- The kind of experience you want YOUR PARTICIPANTS to have and
- The results you want for YOURSELF, THE PARTICIPANTS and for the BOTTOM LINE.
This is a practice you can use before every important planned conversation or meeting and begin with the end in mind.
You will be amazed at what happens. Your conscious intentions create and allow for powerful results. Relationships transform and success feels almost effortless.
FOR EXAMPLE:
- For the kind of experience you want, it might sound like this: “I want to feel connected to my team, to be very present, listening and noticing what is being said and what is not being said. I want to have a sense of ease and confidence as I roll out the project plan”.
- For the kind of experience you want for your participants, it might sound like this: “I want my team to feel comfortable expressing their concerns and putting forth their ideas and suggestions. I want them to leave feeling crystal clear on the project expectations, the timeline and how they can access my support”.
- For the kind of experience you want for everyone and the bottom line, it might sound like this: “I want the meeting to end with as many questions answered as possible and everyone feeling excited, energized and that together we will not only succeed but also probably come in under the deadline”.
If this is a conversation that will be one on one with a boss, colleague or subordinate, the process is exactly the same.
Ultimately you don’t have to “do” anything except “be” 100% present in any interaction. When you’re completely present and conscious, the possibilities are astounding.
The tricky part is being present amidst daily distractions, our own faulty thinking, chaotic schedules, to do lists, etc.
Taking time to be very intentional is a strategy for slowing down the busy mind and making a direct connection with yourself and from there, harnessing the power of intention.
Try this strategy for at least a week and see what’s possible.
I’d love to hear about your successes.
And if you want to learn more about the scientific evidence behind intention, read The Intention Experiment.
For more strategy on being present in the midst of what feels like chaos, sign up to get my Tips on how to structure your day to be productive amidst interruptions and have energy and time to spare.