A dream without direction is just a wish.

Yes, a dream without direction is just a wish.

That’s why setting clear intentions is a powerful skill that bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

Setting intentions does matter. It brings focus and clarity to your dreams and aligns your vision with actions. It also strengthens your commitment to growth and change as well as shift your energy into attracting new opportunities.

To start, take a moment and ask yourself, what do I want today?

What do I want to create, experience, or embody today or this coming week that moves me closer to my dreams?

An example for me would be: I intend to get started on writing another children's book over the next few weeks.

For you maybe it could be...

I intend to walk 5x this week for 30 minutes.

I intend to use AI to create one social media post for Instagram.

I intend to finish the course I purchased. ( I could use this one too)

To make your intentions even more powerful try attaching a VALUE statement to each intention as well. James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, emphasizes that attaching value statements to goals is a powerful way to create lasting behavioral change. His research suggests that when goals are connected to identity and core values, they become more meaningful, sustainable, and motivating.

For example:

*I intend to work on writing my next children's book because it's fun and gets my creative juices going for more.

*I intend to walk 5x this week for 30 minutes each because I am healthy and I value good health.

*I intend to use AI to create one social media post for Instagram because I value having an impact on the world and it feels easy.

I intend to finish the course I purchased because I want to learn more about building my business and I love learning and growing.

Let’s support each other in stepping boldly into the week ahead! I would love to hear from you what your intention statements are. Declaring them out loud and sharing them adds power as well as accountability.

Another way that I like to set and get my intentions working is by pulling an Oracle card. If I feel stuck or unsure what my next step could be to get me moving in the right direction with an intention, pulling a card helps.

Taking my example on getting started writing my next picture book, I could ask spirit..."What is my next step in writing a children's book?" I'm going to do this now and share what I got. Using one of Colette Baron Reid's online card decks, I got this card...which may seem alarming, but it's not.

I start by reading the whole blurb on this card and take from that what makes the most sense to me.

The Key concepts for the card are: Transformational lessons, vulnerability to build inner strength, reclaiming personal choice, and radical forgiveness.

Next, I read the card's meaning and draw from it what makes sense and feels right for me at this time.

Which is this part: There’s no doubt that our childhood traumas shape who we are as adults. Our initial hurts and betrayals are an emotional poison from which we evolve. Our past pain alchemizes into different personality traits that we express—some wonderful and healthy, others toxic and self-sabotaging. Right now you’re being asked to focus on how you’ve changed after all you’ve endured: you’ve moved beyond the difficulties, found your strengths, and courageously express them in the world. Reminding yourself of how far you’ve come is the new emotional food you need to keep nourishing yourself with. If you take a moment to observe your journey, you’ll discover that the alchemical magic you’ve been looking for has been inside you all along. Step forward, knowing you have the strength and hard-won wisdom to meet any challenge and succeed.

The card suggests I take a trauma and/or past pain from my childhood and use it to create my next picture book. What came to me immediately was my childhood fear of the dark and how I overcame a scary experience. This experience had never occurred to me to write about until I pulled that card. There are other books out there for kids on this very subject, but not my story. This is what will make it different and this card gave me the direction I needed.

I love using Oracle cards for so many questions that come up, especially when I'm having trouble coming up with a problem. I don't overuse them, but when I'm a little stuck and can't decide between this thing or that thing or when just totally clueless, the cards help. They have never steered me wrong.

If you don't have an Oracle deck or two (or 3 or 4...like me), go to collettebaronreid.com and click on "pick a card" Then choose a deck and follow the steps to ask your question.

I hope this helps you in helping you make those sticky decisions in your life. Pulling an oracle card helps take care of the guesswork and gives more clarity to any decision.

Enjoy!

Namaste'

Stephanie