Triggering Intention: How To Remember To Remember

You've got a lot to store in that brain of yours. Sometimes you need to remind yourself to remember something. The most effective way to remember is to choose your triggers wisely.

Post-its work great, but I'm all for simplifying things even further. By choosing to make a certain behavior a trigger for a particular thought, we can skip the paper and adhesive and get right to the important stuff.

The trick is to be intentional about it. We tend to hop in the shower and let our minds wander to all the stuff we're supposed to do. We go about the process of soaping, shaving, and shampooing without paying much attention to what we're doing. We jump into our cars each morning, absorbed by our thoughts. We wash the dishes, sort the laundry, wait in line at the gas station, stand at the grocery counter, and vegetate during commercials without noticing what we're thinking. By incorporating some simple mindfulness techniques into our daily routine, we can focus on our intentions and create lasting changes in our brains.

We've already learned that in order to get our brains to work for us instead of against us, we must come up with present-tense statements that we would like to be true, and we have to repeat them to ourselves daily. Spend some time coming up with two or three one-sentence statements about how you want to feel.

No fair using numbers. This isn't about setting sales goals or salary amounts or even the number of pounds you want to lose. Make a statement that simply describes how you want to feel about your life right now.

Here's a list of possible statements:

"I am filled with joy and excitement each day."

"I feel confident, relaxed, and open to whatever the day may bring."

"I have plenty of time to accomplish whatever I need to do."

"I have plenty of energy to enjoy my free time."

"I attract plenty of money for all my needs."

"I am surrounded by loving people who want only the best for me."

"I am fit, healthy and active."

"I am calm and mindful of all that arises in and around me."

Your brain needs to hear these positive statements, even if you think YOU don't need to. Humor your brain, okay? Give it some happy food to chew on. Allow your mind to mull things over subconsciously.

Brain research tells us that we need to see it, say it and hear it. If at all possible, say your statements out loud if only in a whisper. Watch yourself in a mirror while you do it. Hear your voice saying the words. Visualize what it looks and feels like when each statement is true. The more senses you engage, the more quickly your brain will absorb your statement.

Remember that your mind doesn't sort thoughts into neat piles marked "real" or "imagined". Everything goes in and is processed in the same way. You must feed your brain what you want to believe. We all do a great job of spooning in the negative thoughts, so why is it too much to ask to dish out a few positive ones?

Once you've got your statements, then what? How do you remember to repeat them in a consistent way?

Choose your triggers. Select a certain habit or activity that you engage in every single day. It can be something as simple as brushing your teeth. Any activity that gives you about 30 seconds of time to focus will work. It helps to choose an activity that is somehow related to your intention statement.

For example, let's say that you want to feel less rushed. Think of a trigger related to time. Hitting the snooze button? Looking at your watch? Waiting for your bus or train? Don't choose ALL of these-you won't remember them all. Instead, choose one single action to be your trigger for repeating that statement. Think "time" whenever you engage in that activity, and repeat your statement: "I have plenty of time to accomplish everything I need to do." Or, you could use that trigger to think "relaxed" and repeat "I am relaxed and unhurried."

Use the language that works best for you, but make sure it is present tense and positive--say "I am relaxed" instead of "I'm not stressed." Neuroscientific studies indicate that if we say the word "stressed" our brains will zero in on that and skip the "not" part!

Once you've selected it, start creating the habit of repeating your statement to yourself whenever you engage in that behavior.

Want to work on your attitude about money? Every time you open your checkbook or use your credit card, remember "plenty" and repeat your intention statement about it. "I attract plenty of money for all of my needs." Maybe you want to spend less money. In that case, think "save" and say "I save money wisely" or "I am thrifty and frugal."

Looking to improve your approach to your wellness? Repeat your intention statement each time you take the first bite of a meal or lace up your exercising shoes. Think "healthy" and repeat "I am fit, healthy and active."

Longing to find a loving relationship? Each time you see an affectionate couple or someone you find attractive, remember "love" and state your intention: "I am loved deeply and treated lovingly."

It's easy to get caught up in the negative thought cycles we've all developed during our lives. Our brains already know the "I'm never going to get ahead financially" story and the "No matter what I do, I can't lose this weight" story. Our minds are getting way too many repeats of the "Other people fulfill their dreams, but not me" fairy tale.

Ack. Turn the page. New story!

Dish up some positive intention statements, and make sure they become a regular part of your routine by attaching them to the triggers you feel will work best for you. Make it easy for your brain to remember to remember.

And okay, use Post-its if that helps.

Maya Talisman Frost is a mind masseuse in Portland, Oregon. Through her company, Real-World Mindfulness Training, she teaches fun and effective eyes-wide-open alternatives to meditation. To subscribe to her free weekly ezine, the Friday Mind Massage, please visit http://www.MassageYourMind.com

---

Are You Killing Your Beautiful Dream?

And the real sad part is that the people involved... Read More

Ego, Arrogance, and Self-Esteem

The pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain are... Read More

Ending the Internal Conflict

If you read personal growth or self-help books at all,... Read More

What Love and Money Have in Common

How many of us have ever felt that we've thrown... Read More

What is Intution and How do I use it?

Intuition is an incredible resource and gift that we have... Read More

Who Wants to Work?

I feel a loss when pragmatism wins over the mystical.... Read More

Is There Something Called Free Will

The statement ""The concept of free will is a fallacy""... Read More

Did Your Personality Choose Your Career?

We almost all think we are masters of our own... Read More

WAKE UP and Create Something

It's time for the "mainstream" to WAKE UP. The alarm... Read More

Your #1 Path to Hidden Power

Imagine that you could boost your confidence, courage, and compassion... Read More

What People Are Really Interested In & How to Win Friends

A lot of your people problems and concerns about what... Read More

4 Simple Steps To The Good Life

If you want to create the good life -- a... Read More

Success Through Authenticity: Harness Your ?Innie? Natural Edge

For any inner-directed individual, much of life feels like you... Read More

How to Make Self-Improvement Work Every Time!

There is an inherent problem with the approach most people... Read More

The Power of Letting What is Be Okay

Have you been in that "black hole?" That is the... Read More

A Minute of Deliberate Attraction is Better Than None

Before I explain why a minute of Deliberate Attraction is... Read More

Embrace Change

Last Sunday I was sitting in on a class we... Read More

The Fastest Way To Manifest Your Desires

Is there a way to change your life condition, and... Read More

How to Develop the Genius within You

Inside each one of us there's a seed of greatness,... Read More

Coping As A Caregiver

Few people are prepared for the responsibilities and tasks involved... Read More

How To Get Lucky

Would you like to get lucky? There are at least... Read More

Will You Be Part of the Bigger Picture?

With all the media attention you've probably become aware that... Read More

Self Improvement and Self Growth

Nowadays the terms self-improvement, self-growth and self-help have become popular.... Read More

Law of Attraction Article: Do You Know About The Power Of Flow?

Flow is the quality of ease that can be integrated... Read More

Ten Ways to Add Abundance To Your Mind, Your Life & Your World

Abundance isn't something you find from the outside. Abundance begins... Read More

A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence

Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed.... Read More

How We Evolved Into An Un-Charming Culture...(And What To Do About It)

Charm did not play a very large role in that... Read More

Your Default Settings

Buy a computer--any computer--and it comes loaded with software automatically... Read More

Mental, Emotional and Physical Prosperity

To create true, lasting prosperity, almost any guru can tell... Read More

Manifest Your Desires Using Natural Hypnosis

Seth, the very high level, spiritual teacher and guide channeled... Read More

Beads?A Sign of the Times?

When you hear the word "beads," do you immediately think... Read More

The Gift

Welcome to The Gift ? a simple pattern that is... Read More

The Mirror Man

Lady Twilight felt angry. It was one of those days... Read More