Ignite Your Intentions with Action

Deborah DeLue • April 12, 2024

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES. Vol. 5 No. 8

April 12, 2024

In a recent newsletter we prompted you to shift your momentum into an upward spiral. In this edition of the Art of Applied Visual Thinking, we invite you into an enriching activity designed to not only help you set powerful intentions, but to actively live them through visual tools and simple, daily actions.

Whether your goals are to elevate productivity, enhance focus, boost energy, increase alertness, cultivate mindfulness, or unleash creativity, this hands-on approach can be used by everyone. Let's embark on creating a unique set of notecards, with each card visually prompting a specific action that resonates with your chosen intentions. Here's how:

Part 1) Clarify Your Intentions

Take 5 minutes and reflect on what you're aiming for. Is it to boost your energy levels for more vibrant days? Or perhaps to sharpen your focus for deeper concentration? Identify and jot down 2 to 3 intentions you would like to focus on during the next few months. Next, create an icon to represent each intention. Not sure where to begin? Check out this newsletter. Hold on to these icons because you'll use them in step 2 below.

Part 2) Craft Your Notecards

What you'll need:

A stack of blank notecards, pieces of paper or colored index cards
Pens, highlighters or markers.

A set of simple activity cards with an icon and a duration

Step 1: Ideate Actions

Compile a list of actions that align with your intentions, considering tasks that are both brief and manageable. Aim for 30 to 50 actions to keep you engaged. For instance, if your goal is to increase alertness, one idea might be, "Stretch for 3 minutes." Not sure where to start; click here to download a list of suggestions.

Step 2: Design Your Cards

In the center of each card, write down one action in big, bold letters. This is your motivational toolkit, so make it personal and inspiring to you! Make each card visual. Pair the action with one of the intentions you identified in Part 1) above. Draw your intention icon in one corner. Add the length of time in another corner. These simple visual additions will make the cards more useful in step 3.

Step 3: Daily Engagement

Keep your notecards in an accessible spot, like a clear box or a jar. Draw a card daily or whenever you seek inspiration, and dedicate yourself to completing the action. This method keeps you in steady pursuit of your goals through consistent, small steps.

Advantages

Enhanced Clarity and Dedication: Keeping your intentions visible and actionable sharpens your focus and commitment.
Steady Motivation: The satisfaction of accomplishing these small tasks fuels your drive to continue progressing.
Adaptable Approach: Your notecard collection can evolve as your goals and intentions grow, offering endless personalization.

Sample Action Ideas

To jumpstart your journey, here are a few action suggestions for various intentions:

Focus: "List your top 3 priorities for today."
Energy: "Take a brisk 5-minute walk outside."
Alertness: "Drink a glass of water and stretch."
Productivity: "Organize your workspace for 10 minutes."
Mindfulness: "Practice 5 minutes of guided meditation."
Creativity: "Spend 15 minutes free writing, doodling or sketching."

Embrace this practice as a daily ritual, allowing your notecards to guide you towards living your intentions more fully. With each action completed, you're not just moving upward towards your goals – you're embodying the change you wish to see.

Let this newsletter be your catalyst for change.

As you engage with your notecards each day, witness the transformation within yourself and your surroundings. Here's to a path filled with clarity, creativity, and continual growth!

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