What You Can Imagine, You Can Achieve

Take Control: Change Your Life in 17 Minutes
How Do Intentions Make You Happier?

Guess the most important way you’re different from your dog  – or your neighbor’s dog? Sure, you’ve got two legs, rather than four. Skin, instead of hair. No tail, either.

Yet the MOST important way you’re different from your dog – or any animal — is your ability to imagine a future different from the present.

Of course, your dog learns that he can wake you up in the morning. That you’ll feed him and take him out. But your dog can’t imagine a future where he becomes your master, and you his pet.

No, humans are the ONLY ones who can imagine the world as it might be. Not as it today. Nor how it was yesterday. Only you can imagine the future you want to create.

Why shape your own destiny?
The degree to which you BELIEVE you can shape your own destiny determines how happy you are.

It’s the strongest predictor of your happiness, reveals social psychologist Dr. David Myers in The Pursuit of Happiness. Increasing your sense of control will noticeably improve your health and morale. Your financial well-being and your relationships with people.

Intentions increase your sense of personal control. “Find a happy person,” says Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, “and you will find a project.” A goal. A desired result. An intention.

Why do intentions help you?
In The How of Happiness, Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky describes why intentions increase happiness. They give you a sense of purpose. You feel that you’re working toward something. Something that matters to you. Something you look forward to.

Intentions also increase your self-esteem. Your confidence soars as you take small steps toward your goal. Intentions add structure and meaning to your daily life. Sure, you may have plenty to do without intentions, however, the other things may not be of your choosing. Intentions help you manage your time and organize your life. How else will you fit them in? Intentions help you resolve problems that arise in your life, because you have a strong sense of urgency about your goals.

Finally, intentions propel you into closer social relationships with others. After all, you need those people to help you achieve your goals.

Try this:
Think of something important you want to achieve. Write it down. (Check out below the intentions others shared with me.) Then divide your overarching intentions into smaller steps. What are your short-term (3-month) goals related to work, friendship and love?  Share them with a friend or family member. Post one in the comment box below. You’ll become more committed.

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• Cheryl’s Tips To Achieve 2010 Goals
• Cheryl: Closing 2009 Properly
• Set Goals: Helps To Maintain Control
• Make Your OWN Choices

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