Karl's Blog: November 2009

There's one truly fantastic scene in Alice in Wonderland.

It occurs after Alice has shrunk, and she's exploring the dark, mystical forest - desperately attempting to find her way.

Suddenly the disappearing-reappearing Cheshire Cat appears, perched high in a tree, and offers to give her directions: "Where you are going?"

"I don't know!" replies Alice.

The cat responds: "Well, if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there!"

What a revelation.

Do you know where you're going?

Let me ask you something.

Have you ever been to a party, expecting it to be absolutely great - and it was? Or have you ever gone on a night out, expecting it to be truly terrible - and it was?

Perhaps you've got out of bed, stubbed your toe, and decided this was going to be a bad day - and it was? Or maybe you woke up, the sun was shining, and you made the decision that today was going to be fantastic- and it was?

It's funny. You see, we usually get the outcome we expect.

In other words, our intention sets our direction.

It's not that the physical world around us changes. It's just that the way we perceive events alters. It's all in our relative perception.

We notice the good things at the party, and make light of the bad. We soak up the sunshine and smile during a good day, and become a grump on the bad.

We consistently prove ourselves right.

So, here's the trick.

By setting a good intention on the things you do, you'll automatically achieve many more positive outcomes!

In fact, this simple principle forms the basis of almost every self-development fad out there.

From The Secret to What The Bleep, from the Law of Attraction to Cosmic Ordering - and yes, even prayer - they're all based on the idea of setting your mind to something and letting yourself achieve it.

Yet most of these fads build up complicated systems and beliefs to help warrant the price tag. They make it more complex to warrant your purchase of the next book, the next DVD, the next seminar ticket.

But it's really not that difficult.

Distilled, simplified, unwrapped, the concept is the most uncomplicated thing you'll ever encounter.

Quite simply: Intention sets direction. Full stop.

Set your intention - and you'll set your direction.

So, where in your life can you start setting your direction?

Try spending a few moments in bed before getting up, deciding that this is going to be a wonderful day. Take a minute before your night out to make the decision that you're going to hook up with some great people. When meeting that annoying business client, set an intention that you're going to get along great and make a real connection today.

It might not work every time, but it'll work more than life without intention.

Increase your intention even further. Begin intending positive outcomes during the smallest of exercises. During meetings. During walks. During simple car journeys. During coffee breaks with friends.

Set an intention of happiness and positivity - and watch it come about in your life.

Try it on your mindset, too. Set an intention of being great fun during the party. Set an intention of writing a fantastic novel. Set an intention of being a wonderful parent.

But whatever you do - set an intention.

Henry Ford once said: "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're probably right."

Think about it.

He was actually saying that whatever we believe will happen, will happen. The things that we hold in mind will ultimately come about. Our intention sets our direction.

This is really one of the ultimate self-development secrets. By applying this, we're setting the compass by which our personal ship sails. It might sound stupidly simple, but it works - and works well.

So, discover it for yourself the easy way. Make setting your intention part of your daily ritual.

Because if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.