The Tone of Your Intention

A new year. A new decade. A time to clear out the old, reflect, and begin again. What would you like to accomplish in the year ahead? What new chapters will you add to your life's story?

Many of the new year newsletters arriving in my inbox this time of year talk about goals and how to achieve them. Goals are helpful. But I think there's something even more important to focus on:

Intention.

"Our intention sets the tone of whatever we are about to do. Like music, intention can influence our mood, thoughts, and feelings—setting an intention in the morning, we set the tone for the day." — Thupten Jinpa

As a singer, you know that tone is everything.

When you have an intention to guide you, you set the tone for your day, your month, your year. Your practice sessions or performances. The way you approach rehearsals with other musicians. Even the parts of your day spent working on the business of music.

Figuring out my intention has made such a difference! Setting an intention to approach my work each day with a sense of spaciousness and fun feels different than striving to tick off specific goals.

My habit-nature says, "Get it done!" But when I work with a different mindset it leaves me room to breathe. I don't lock my jaw and grit my teeth through my to-do list. My projects become a vehicle for practicing what I genuinely want to achieve — spaciousness and fun in my work life.

Don't get me wrong; goals are essential. They help us achieve things that take time and planning. But the goals we set come and go. Intention reminds us of why we're doing something in the first place. It creates a stronger foundation that supports us and the goals we hope to achieve.

What are your dreams, goals, and intentions for 2020?

If you need a place to start, my eBook might be helpful. "A Singer's Why: How to Discover Your North Star" can help you figure out what you value most in your musical life. Download for free HERE.

And if you'd like to share what you've discovered — please do! Just leave a comment below or on this post on my FB page.