Two weeks ago, I started a new school year. In the month before school starts, I spend a lot of time reflecting upon my goals and work rhythms for the year. For many years, this has included creating a weekly schedule template, a visual depiction of how I plan to organize my days in order to get all the work done. Three years ago, as I was transitioning to my current institution, I added a new practice: setting an intention for the academic year.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, an intention is “an aim that guides action.” Intentions are similar to, but slightly different from, affirmations, which are short statements that we repeat to change how we think and feel about ourselves. For example, “I am good enough” is great affirmation that reminds us of our worthiness, but it does not necessarily imply any action on our part. An intention along those lines might be “I trust my intuitions and my worthiness.” The difference is subtle but significant.
When I set an intention for the academic year, I am establishing a guidepost meant to shape my actions and decisions throughout the year, including how I spend my time, what I prioritize, what I say yes and no to. Setting an intention requires me to be mindful of how I want to feel and what I want to achieve in a day. It helps me to align my behaviors with my goals.
When I began my current position three years ago, my intention was “Underperform.” It was a check against my tendency to take on excessive administrative and service responsibilities that benefited the institution but had no real benefit for my career. In prior academic positions, I repeatedly volunteered to take on extra assignments or challenging roles because the institution had needs and I had the skillset. For example, I singlehandedly organized an all-day research and writing workshop for students, revised degree and certificate program curricula, mapped out a more efficient weekly schedule when everyone insisted it couldn’t be done, spent a summer in an online teaching workshop so that I could figure out how to adapt a required spiritual formation course for online deliver, and shepherded the establishment of a diversity and equity committee. I had assumed that my work would be noticed and rewarded. Instead, male colleagues were given the credit and titles for my efforts. Telling myself to underperform was a caution not to repeat the mistake.
I haven’t let go of that earlier intention. I often have multiple intentions operating at once, each building upon and complementing the other. In a January post, I chose, “I will show up for myself.” At the time, I wrote, “It’s the perfect intention for me, not just for the week, but for 2024 (or until my next intention reveals itself).”
Over the past few weeks, my next intention has revealed itself: “I claim my power to create the life that I want to live.” It is inspired by a quote from bell hooks’ remembered rapture in writing about her literary mentor, Toni Cade Bambara: “She invented the life that she wanted to live. And she lived this life on her own terms.” Two years ago, I created a mug with this quote emblazoned on it, hoping that I would one day embody it. My intention is a reminder that I already have the power to do that; I simply need to claim it.
What has your experience with intentions been? Leave a comment and share. And don’t forget to “heart” this post!
Chronic illness keeps my life small but I went to the ballet last night by myself. My husband was immersed in a critical work project, other friends were busy but I wanted - needed - some beauty and bigger world. I took a cab, bought a ticket and enjoyed the performance. It was a reclaiming of my power to do what pleases me, what I need, no matter whether others I love can join me or help me. It's up to me to invent my own life. Thank you for the reminder.
i just turned 30 (😭😭😭 still in denial) and i definitely would like to make an intention for this next year to live authentically, do what makes me happy and stop worrying about everyone else! while my life newly 30 does not look like what i thought it would and definitely not the same as some of my friends/family, i believe that im on the path that is meant for me! i just have to let go of what might be holding me back.