by Martha Pasternack Remember when you were around 2 years old and you picked up a piece of delicate glass (AKA breakable) or something sharp (AKA scissors) or something critical to your mom or dad’s wellbeing (AKA their eyeglasses) and you refused to give whatever it was up? In fact, you said “NO! Mine!” Remember that? And remember that, rather than struggle with you, which would make you angry and maybe even make you cry, they offered you your favorite toy? Then you released your tenacious grasp on the kidnapped object and took your toy instead? Remember how excited you felt when you discovered a new way of being powerful by making a choice of what to hold in your tiny hand? Remember that you had to decide what mattered most to you: the thing you were holding or the thing you potentially could be holding? You made a choice. In that moment, long ago, there was an intention set, there was a choice made about what is most important to you and a pathway cleared to honor the intention. No? I do remember, however, doing that plenty of times with my own kids. It worked 99.9% of the time. It was a dilemna to be sure. (Rest assured that I did exercise emergency parental veto power a few times when the “mommy tip of the day” said “Take that thing away NOW and soothe baby later!” but that was rare.) What was my intention with my kids? I was committed to creating a safe environment in which:
Fast-forward to today and your coaching practice and welcome IAC Mastery #7: Helping the client set and keep clear intentions. When we engage Mastery # 7, we come together with our clients to support them to create a safe space for transformation. Only, in this case, we don’t hand them anything. Instead, we brainstorm ideas with them. Our role as coach is to support our clients in clarifying intentions and the goals to meet them. What does intention mean? As I understand intention, it is a plan or guide for action that one does with the purpose of following the plan. Intentions are meant to inspire, support and empower an individual. Intentions are meant to guide us to meet the goals set out by the plan. Intention supports us to create a safe space for transformation and change. We support our clients to explore and discover themselves and what they might prefer to hold on to in the form of values, possibilities, dreams, goals and desires. We take nothing away. We celebrate with them when they choose to let go. For example, if the stories of past experiences are still the basis of all decisions, perhaps there is something in the present moment that will better serve our client. When our client can remain focused on goals and intentions in the present moment there is spaciousness for release, personal empowerment, excitement and taking responsibility for infinite possibilities based on intention. The client can focus on their intention and make decisions that will support the intention. It is guided by their readiness to let go. They may experience this as a second wind. May your second wind be a gentle breeze.
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Martha Pasternack, MMC 1 thought on “IAC Mastery #7 Helping the client set and keep clear intentions”
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What a well-written piece! And what a perfect illustration for the power of choosing what to hold in our (metaphorically) tiny little hands.
Thanks!