Intentioning

on February 23, 2012
in All Posts

I have two friends who strongly believe in the power of intentioning.  When you intention something, you mentally focus on your dream and imagine it happening. By intentioning your goal and putting it ‘out there to the universe,’ you will make it so.

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Now, some parts of intentioning sound dubious to me.  Goals, of course, require action. I can’t simply intention that I’m going to run a marathon; I have to actually train.  But I think the real point of intention is that the act motivates you to take the necessary steps, and it also gives you the opportunity to succeed.  It should be said that I know these friends have intentioned that their small business would be wildly success, and it has been!

 

So – I’m going to intention a week’s worth of kick-butt pregnancy workouts (my weeks start on Wednesday).  Here’s my goal:

 

  • Day #1: Long walk + swim
  • Day #2: 30 minutes on the elliptical and strength training
  • Day #3: Long walk
  • Day #4: Long walk
  • Day #5: 30 minutes on the elliptical and strength training

 

I’m intentioning hard right now!  So maybe my life will make room for my workouts now.  Smile 

 

I intentioned this lovely breakfast, too, but I actually had to prepare it. Darn.

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In the mix:

 

Banana

Raw oats

Greek yogurt

Pine nuts

 

I thought the roasted pine nuts would taste strange with the vanilla yogurt, but it was pretty good.

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What are you intentioning in your life right now?

{ 74 comments }

 

  • Claire @ Live and Love to Eat February 23, 2012, 8:48 am

    Very creative idea with the pine nuts – it would make a good sweet/savory balance. I’m intentioning my runner’s knee to heal – your posts have been helpful. 🙂

  • Rachel @Balance and Blueberries February 23, 2012, 8:50 am

    I’m intentioning finishing a tri this summer. First step: sign up! Going to make that happen post-payday next week!

  • Catalina @ Cake with Love February 23, 2012, 8:51 am

    I believe in intentioning our goals, now I intention to rock a bikini for our honeymoon at the end of March, so I train 6 times a week, and I see results!! p.s. After I saw raw oats with yogurt on ur blog I gave it a try and I loved it!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb February 23, 2012, 8:52 am

    pine nuts in your breakfast? interesting!

    i am intentioning a week of good workouts as well! after a few so-so weeks, it’s time to get back on track.

  • Jamie @ Don't Forget the Cinnamon February 23, 2012, 8:55 am

    The colors of your breakfast have got me dreaming of spring!

  • Cindy February 23, 2012, 9:06 am

    My intentions are to get off the couch and get work done. I just can’t seem to do it.

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats February 23, 2012, 9:06 am

    It’s always great to stop and take a look at where you are and where you want to be, I definitely need to do this!

  • Sana February 23, 2012, 9:09 am

    You should make lots of walking dates with friends so you don’t have an excuse!

  • Sarahf February 23, 2012, 9:13 am

    I never would have thought of pine nuts, but then I’m a new convert to the oats.
    I’m intentioning a good guy to come along, treat me well and make me happy. I’ll let you know how it goes!

  • Tia @ Veggies and Pearls February 23, 2012, 9:21 am

    I’m intentioning a specific boy. Lol. I’m determined!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat February 23, 2012, 9:21 am

    Great topic Caitlin! I’m also becoming quite a believer in intentioning and am focusing right now on starting my own small business as a Health Coach. Like you, I’m intentioning hard. I’m also thinking you’re going to have a fantastic week of workouts!

  • Laine February 23, 2012, 9:22 am

    Intentioning isn’t a word. And intention isn’t a verb.

    All the same, I do believe in the power of intending and putting our focus on what we want.

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 9:24 am

      Intentioning is a self-help term used by life coaches and whatnot.

    • Jane February 23, 2012, 10:40 am

      Hear, hear! People need to have more respect for the English language…

    • Cynthia February 23, 2012, 10:51 am

      I’ve never heard “intentioning” used by a life coach (my sister is a life coach), however she does often “set her intentions for the day/week/month/year” proper grammar and all!

      I guess it’s tomato/tomato… My grammar/punctuation is atrocious, which makes it all the more funny that this bothers me!

      • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 11:59 am

        Haha I love this, Cynthia. There are so many little quirks that bother me when other people do them and I do them too!!! Humans are funny.

    • Liz February 24, 2012, 9:45 am

      Thank you…

  • Andrea February 23, 2012, 9:27 am

    Hahahahahahahahahaha I immediately burst out laughing when I saw that picture of maggie with the thought bubble above her head…I always enjoy your sense of humour!!

  • Joanne February 23, 2012, 9:31 am

    Ohhh… if you had toasted the pine nuts that would have been overly awesome!

    I’m intentioning running my first half marathon of the year on Saturday in 22 mph winds with blowing snow. PLEASE…everyone intention for me ??? 🙁

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 9:32 am

      I intention good weather!!!!!!!!

  • Sue @ Sue In Training February 23, 2012, 9:35 am

    I guess this ‘intentioning’ thing is quite like those ‘orders from the universe’ that my mom and some of my friends like to do? If it is, then I’m currently ‘intentioning’ my husband finding a job soon. This whole family-of-four-living-on-one-income thing is getting lame!

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 9:45 am

      I am also intentioning your hubby to get a job. Good luck!

    • Sonia the Mexigarian February 23, 2012, 11:45 am

      write down the intention everyday, say it aloud or in your mind whenever the thought pops up. the universe will hear your words and make it happen. remain positive. 🙂

  • Nicolette February 23, 2012, 9:36 am

    Setting an intention and including a time and a place where you will carry out your intention is the absolute BEST way to ensure it gets done. I’m a psych major, and this is something that has been widely replicated. You’ll rock all of that exercise with an awesome plan like that!

  • Lindsay February 23, 2012, 9:39 am

    Really silly question – but when you say long walk, how long do you mean? Totally just curious!

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 9:42 am

      2 – 3 miles so I’m moving for at least 30 minutes. 🙂

  • Army Amy* February 23, 2012, 9:41 am

    Does the intention have to be specific? I’m trying to make some decisions regarding my job, and I’d like the situation to be resolved, but there isn’t a particular outcome I want to happen. I just want to get rid of the wondering and waffling and waiting. If vague intentioning works, then I’m intentioning to figure out what to do about work.*

  • Amelia February 23, 2012, 9:46 am

    Your breakfast colors are very ‘neutral’ today. I have never mixed pinenuts with yogurt. Interesting. Where are the blueberries? 😉

    I have a lot of goals, too many to name. As for your workouts, do you have a friend that can meet you for walks during the week to hold you accountable?

  • Becca @ Blueberry Smiles February 23, 2012, 9:46 am

    I believe in this wholeheartedly….I think lately, my problem is that im not fully believing in myself and my goals. The little voice in the back of my head is still telling me I can’t do it. So weird cause I’ve never been like this before. But good post and il work on it this way

  • Cynthia February 23, 2012, 9:49 am

    Intentioning? Nope, can’t do it. However, I do have certain intentions for the day and I do intend to get a lot done! 😉

    • Jane February 23, 2012, 10:39 am

      I like this comment.

  • Alex @ Raw Recovery February 23, 2012, 10:12 am

    I’m “intentioning” the strength and courage to stick to my recovery and bring health, joy, and self-acceptance into my life.

  • Stephanie @ Legally Blinde February 23, 2012, 10:15 am

    I’m intentioning getting a job for this summer between my 2nd and 3rd years of law school! I hope it works… 🙂 Good luck with your workout schedule – you can do it!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed February 23, 2012, 10:21 am

    I’m telling my hip that it’s not allowed to give me pain! But I’m also doing lots of stretching and foam rolling to make that intention a reality!

  • Susie February 23, 2012, 10:24 am

    The successful completion of my thesis and a job near my fiancé. I’m so tired of the long distance thing….

  • Linz @ Itz Linz February 23, 2012, 10:38 am

    i’m intentioning this cold to go away!

  • Caroline February 23, 2012, 10:41 am

    I want to run a 5k this spring and get accepted into grad school. My dog would also love a bag of baby carrots 🙂 they are his fave!

  • Katie - Life Discombobulated February 23, 2012, 10:44 am

    I definitely believe in setting intentions. For me, intentions are different than goals, though. Goals are a destination to be achieved, intentions are part of the process; a feeling or attitude to be manifested (wow – it’s getting deep up in here…). There’s an article from Yoga Journal that outlines the differences between goals and intentions that you might like: http://www.yogajournal.com/wisdom/926
    Today, I’m intentioning productivity, though… And it would be great if someone wants to come over and feed me a bag of baby carrots! 🙂

  • Khushboo February 23, 2012, 10:48 am

    I agree with this- I’m more likely to complete my goals if I write them down or say them out loud!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape February 23, 2012, 10:58 am

    When I competed in forensics back in high school we used to do intentioning exercises pretty often. Of course, I had no idea what they were at the time, but they were useful. Like you said, they help you focus and reduce the white noise around you that can distract from your goals. Plus, it’s sort of fun! lol

  • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs February 23, 2012, 10:59 am

    My puppy LOVES baby carrots, it’s hilarious! She tosses them around, chases after them, it’s a good 20 minutes of entertainment for her haha.

  • Jessica February 23, 2012, 11:03 am

    Ah, I believe in this too! For me, I intention getting into a PhD program, studying mental health effects of bullying, & helping people deal with it 😀

  • Christina February 23, 2012, 11:26 am

    Caitlin – I’m also really intriqued/interested in intentioning. I agree that action is also key. The whole Luck = hard work + opportunity. But, I think there is something to the power of imagination/belief. Just like athletes mentally practice – and research has shown that not only is this effective – the brain/body might not be able to tell the difference between them. Have you heard of the term mental bank? I highly recommend checking it out http://www.hypnosis.edu/streaming/mental-bank/ Its a two hour (free) streaming video explaining the concept, but I think you might find it an interesting combo of action and intention/belief. Sometimes we don’t have to understand things for them to work.

  • Sonia the Mexigarian February 23, 2012, 11:41 am

    I strongly believe in the power of the word and setting intentions. You wouldn’t believe all the candles my mother burns as part of helping family get to their goals or prayers for protection and health.

    and it works.

    I said my intention of finding a home that we would love, that we could comfortably afford and grow into, everyday, every moment the thought of a house popped into my head. I fought off any negative thoughts or worry (which is HARD for me) Two weeks later, BAM, we found the house. We get the keys March 23.

    Positive thoughts and intentions attract positive outcomes. Like you are a positive person, you attract positive people. If you’re negative you deflect them and attract the negativity.

  • Paj February 23, 2012, 12:09 pm

    I’m currently intentioning the trifecta of life change: getting in better shape, finding a new job and looking for love. Whew, I’m exhausted!

  • Krista February 23, 2012, 12:09 pm

    A new job!

  • Anna February 23, 2012, 12:17 pm

    I’m intentioning to keep a positive attitude the rest of the semester! One day at a time I guess…

  • Samantha February 23, 2012, 12:47 pm

    I like the idea here but “intentioning” is not proper grammar. Neither is intention in the context that you have used it here (verb). I also don’t agree with the tomato/tomatoe comment above and as the whole post is dedicated to this topic I really couldn’t help but leave a comment about it. Given that you are a writer/editor of multiple books I am a little bothered that this even got published.

    Again, I like the topic but I emplore you to leave urban slang (and Urbandictionary.com) out of your work because I believe it diminishes your credibility.

    • Rachel February 23, 2012, 1:32 pm

      I think you mean “implore.” 😉

      • Samantha February 23, 2012, 2:15 pm

        I definitely did Rachel. And I won’t even try to create a new word to cover up for my faux pas 🙂

  • allpointswhole February 23, 2012, 1:02 pm

    Breakfast looks great. Can’t wait to read about your workouts!

  • Coco February 23, 2012, 1:09 pm

    For a long time I’ve been intentioning a 6-pack, haha. But seriously I’ve been focused on figuring out some kind of career path and getting out of my current job situation.

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife February 23, 2012, 1:10 pm

    I don’t know how I feel about pine nuts in the a.m……they always seem like a garlicky pizza topper to me 😉

    And YES, it is true that when you set your intentions or sight on something, it is a LOT easier to achieve. Totally believe that. We’ve got a lot going on, and only God can do the rest with what we’ve got and are planning for!

  • Susanna February 23, 2012, 1:19 pm

    I am intentioning ( btw, some people might think this is slang; I say let’s call it a “neologism”) my wedding in September, remodeling (DIY) our sole bathroom in June and finding a fulfilling job by 2013. Call it what you want, but putting your mind in a place of hope, love and compassion leads you down a path of hope, love and compassion. I just “graduated” from therapy (if you can call it that; I solved the problems I wanted to resolve)and one of the things my therapist taught me is exactly that – to put my mind in the right place.

    • Samantha February 23, 2012, 1:36 pm

      We don’t think it’s slang, it IS slang. It is not a word recognized by the English language and thus, qualifies as such. In my opinion you can’t just create a new word or term to make up for incorrect grammar and then call it “neologism”.

      • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 1:46 pm

        You know I didn’t make up this term, right?

        • Samantha February 23, 2012, 2:14 pm

          I am aware that you didn’t, hence my reference to Urban Dictionary. It doesn’t change my opinion that a writer who wants to be taken seriously should probably avoid slang unless its used in an obviously facetious way. Its only my opinion Caitlin but I would have liked this a lot more if you’d used the word correctly. Again, it all goes back to credibility.

      • Simone February 24, 2012, 6:52 am

        Look the spelling of ‘recognized’ is not proper English. Just ask the Poms themselves. Although in saying that, the English language is always changing. Intention away I say – with or without credibility.

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 1:48 pm

      Oh and congrats on graduating from therapy 🙂 That is a really big and awesome step for you… I’m so happy for you. Love and light!

  • Hillary February 23, 2012, 1:19 pm

    I’m intentioning a PR at my half marathon in March!

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 1:47 pm

      oooo good luck!

  • Marie February 23, 2012, 2:04 pm

    ILoved your breakfast photo, looks delicious as well as nutritious. I chuckled at the “had to make it myself.” Well, by making food that is both nutritious and delicious we fulfill our intention of living a healthy lifestyle. And, by the way, while I like to preserve the proper English language along the with others, if we can tweet, friend, lol, you betcha we can INTENTION.

    Thanks for helping our youth find their natural beauty!

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 2:07 pm

      🙂 This comment kind of made my day. Thanks, Marie.

    • Jane February 23, 2012, 3:38 pm

      This is a ridiculous argument! We already have a word for this – INTEND. E.g. I INTEND to finish my project by the end of the week. Why use the (incorrect) word, ‘intention’?

      ‘Tweet’ and ‘friend’ (as in, he ‘friended’ me on facebook) are describing something that is new. ‘Lol’ is an acronym and if you ‘loled’ it is the equivalent of saying ‘laughed out loud’ in short hand.

  • Nicole February 23, 2012, 2:10 pm

    One of those intentioners is also really good at not making excuses and he doesn’t let fatigue or emotion get in his way. There is something to be said for a suck it up and do it attitude. This is not something I’m good at.

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 2:11 pm

      Me too. Need to work on this.

      Just do it (swoosh).

  • Amber K February 23, 2012, 2:10 pm

    I don’t know it all sounds a little too The Secret to me. And I really hated that book. I know some people are inspired by it though, so to each their own!

    • Caitlin February 23, 2012, 2:10 pm

      I also read the Secret and hattttttttttted it.

      • Jen February 23, 2012, 9:39 pm

        Interesting! Why did you hate it? I haven’t read it – but intended to at some point because I’ve heard so much about it…

        I do agree though and it’s refreshing to see you have some “dubiousness” (watch out for the grammer police coming after me on that one hah!) and doubts because it seems like you are someone who is ALWAYS super positive!

        The thing that drives me nuts about the whole “Secret” concept is that Rhonda Bryne (creator) has no way of being “wrong”. Because if people discredit her or say that it doesn’t/didn’t work for them – she can simply say “oh that’s because you didn’t fully believe in it, put all your faith in it” , etc. I don’t know – but I find it hard to be that faithful to anything. Anything can happen in life and it’s important to be prepared for the bad things or things not working out the way we want. I mean as much as I’d love to – I am not going to be next multi-millionaire actress. Boo 🙁

  • Lee February 23, 2012, 9:03 pm

    This is like The Secret, right? I’ve actually never read that book, but I think it’s the same premiss.

  • Andrea @ Run, Eat, Date, Sleep February 23, 2012, 9:23 pm

    Would those 2 friends happen to work for lululemon? When I worked there, we always talked about setting an intention for the day. I need to remember to do it more often.

  • Adrianna February 26, 2012, 10:35 pm

    very good day for me to read this…I’m intentioning matching with a residency programs! forms are due on Friday, and matches come out shortly thereafter…

  • Lea March 6, 2012, 10:08 pm

    After reading this post I intentioned hard core for a job opportunity that came up and I got it! Thanks for opening my eyes to power intentioning, even if it is a little abstract.

  • Amy December 3, 2012, 8:29 am

    I heard a friend mention this practice, so I googled it and this blog entry came up. Geez, who know the grammar police would come and crap all over it?

    That being said, I have an uneasiness about intentioning because I feel that it is the secularization of prayer. Sending something out into the universe? Who do they think is in charge of the universe? Perhaps this makes non-believers feel better, but personally, I’d rather give thanks and ask for grace from the man upstairs who can actually make things happen.

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