by Phillip Tucker, MA, LPC-MHSP
If you missed last month’s blog about what it means to be Mental Health-Focused, go back and check it out. It was part one of a seven-part series exploring Quest’s MINDSET acronym. This month we will continue that conversation by covering the second element of the 7 key elements of MINDSET: Intentional.
Being intentional means staying mindful and purposeful in your actions. It’s clarity about your wants, needs, and choices, while also being aware of the effect they have on yourself and others. When it comes to achieving goals, your intentions are the “why” behind your effort. It is especially important to be clear about what’s behind your thoughts, words, and actions. I mean, you wouldn’t start a race without knowing what kind of race it was, some idea about your current fitness, course logistics, and other basic information would you? Of course not. So why would you invest time, energy, and effort into your fitness goals without clarifying why?
Doing some self-exploration around your needs and core values is a great place to start. Dr. Marshal Rosenberg, the founder of Nonviolent Communication (NVC), believed that all people have core needs that must be met in order for us to live fulfilling, balanced lives. He believed that when these needs are not met, we experience feelings of disconnection, emptiness, and pain. He said that by understanding and addressing these core needs, we can create higher levels of communication and healthier relationships. NVC is a communication process to help people understand and express their needs more effectively. According to NVC, core needs are universal human needs that drive our behavior and shape our relationships. They include needs such as connection, understanding, respect, safety, independence, autonomy, joy, and love. When we understand our own needs and values, as well as those of others, we can vastly improve the quality of our lives. This applies to goals as well, including fitness goals.
Needs and values play a vital role in achieving goals. When you have a clear understanding of your needs and values, it helps to inform your goals and prioritize what is most important to you. Knowing what you need and value can help you stay focused and motivated on the path to achieving your goals, especially when you hit a rut.
Being intentional is important because it helps us to make conscious and meaningful decisions that can lead to positive outcomes. Actions that are driven by careful thought and consideration promote success and a more fulfilling life. When we are intentional, we can make choices that reflect our authentic needs and values, and, ultimately, a life that is more satisfying and purposeful. At the end of the day, your life is YOUR RACE to complete at YOUR PACE. That’s the epitome of intention.
