Day 10

The Power of Intention

Today’s topic is the power of intention.

If you haven’t yet done something different, take a moment and write down the one thing that you will do now to start to change your approach to money.

Too many people exclaim, “Oh I want to have more money!” without ever getting specific enough. Without any clear intention, such a comment is but a wish, at best. At worst, the statement might as well be, “If only I had more money!” This is the same as saying “I’ll never have more than I have now.” While the conscious words may state a request or even an intention for money, the unconscious intention is to remain with the status quo.

To shift this state of paralysis, we need to get specific, and we need to include a time frame.

Similarly, by setting a time limit and being clear on when you will have this money, it will become easier to manifest it.

Exercise: Stretching the Possibilities

How much would you like in your bank account? Now multiply that figure by 10 and imagine receiving that amount of money. How does it feel? Does it feel uncomfortable? (It can be too big a leap for most people.) Now think back to your original sum and double it.

Odds are that the new higher figure doesn’t feel too uncomfortable now, even though only minutes earlier half that figure was the maximum that you could imagine receiving.

Once the mind is stretched, it cannot go back to its original state.

Whatever it is that you want, however much money you would like to have in your bank accounts, sooner or later the next step is to set an intention.

In other words, you reach a moment of decision. You get clear on exactly what you want and you decide to attract it, usually by a certain date. In setting an intention, you commit to it happening. You shift from a position of “maybe it will happen” to “I know that it can happen.” Having a clear expectation of what you truly desire is a key step in the process of becoming a Money Magnet.

Using Clear Intentions to Achieve Sales Targets

Whenever we have a clear intention, we make it easier for the “universe” to assist us. I learned this technique from my earlier years as a sales manager. Rewarded with exciting incentives, there was always enough motivation to achieve the set target of sales per month.

The trick is to anticipate it, even when the evidence may be saying otherwise!

Often with a monthly sales target of over $1.5 million revenue, my sales team would achieve it in the very last few minutes of the month! They were exciting times, and as long as we stayed 100 per cent focused on achieving the target, we achieved it.

Similarly, when we were promised bonuses for exceptional sales performance, I would often spend my bonus money before I actually received it. Quite simply, I expected to receive it, so I acted as though I had actually been guaranteed it. The intention was clearly set for me to receive that exact amount. I behaved as though it was already “in the bag”—and I always did receive it. Always.

What are you expecting to receive financially over the next month? Would you like to set a new intention?

We often feel limited by outside constraints: “Oh, my firm would never pay me money if I decided to leave my job.” “Nobody’s ever earned that much in this job.” “I’m just not that lucky.”

Watch out for comments like these and discard them the moment you become aware of them. Start believing in miracles. Start small if need be, but start to push the boundaries of what you think may be possible. Always set an intention for what you really want, not for what you think you’ll be able to achieve. There’s a big difference between the two.

Let me share an example with you. At work I was responsible for more than 80 per cent of the company’s sales, and though I always achieved my targets and was well paid, I’d become bored with the job and, in my heart, I knew that I was ready to move on.

The problem was saying “no” to a comfortable salary and all the perks that came with it. I decided that I’d feel a lot happier leaving work if I could leave with an extra bonus.

Leaving for a two-week vacation, I discreetly cleared my office of all my personal items, acting as if I would not be returning after the vacation. During the vacation itself, I became clearer and clearer that I would not be returning to work, and the figure of $45,000 became ingrained in my mind. I had no idea how I would actually leave the job, as I still couldn’t actually see myself resigning. But I kept the intention of leaving work and the figure of $45,000 in my mind.

On the night of my return, my boss called to ask if I could meet him at a café before coming to the office next day. I remember feeling delighted and telling my sister that I would be back within the hour. After sharing my future plans with my boss, he actually agreed with me that my dream of doing even more traveling was what was right for me just then. I said “I can’t afford to leave the job, though,” to which he replied, “How much would you need?” I was taken aback, but answered, “Well, about $45,000.” To my astonishment, he answered, “Well, OK, for the person who has been responsible for over 80 per cent of the company’s business, I’d say that’s fair enough!” Within the hour I’d left my job with a promise of over $45,000 coming my way. I only ever went back to the office for my leaving party!

Remember: Set an intention for what you really want, NOT for what you think you’ll be able to achieve. It doesn’t matter whether what you want has been achieved beforehand. All that matters is that you are clear on what you want. It’s good to have a timescale and a good reason why you want what you want. Then it is simply a question of taking one step after another as they present themselves.

The money is already there. The only thing preventing you from being rich is you.