This article was originally posted on LinkedIn on 3rd Jan 2022.

Time for a new year, a new start and perhaps some new resolutions? Replace those finite resolutions with a more incremental approach; using positive intentions and mantras in your remote work day - for a more sustainable approach to fostering change and prioritising your personal wellbeing.

Coming to the end of a calendar year, many people naturally reflect on the year that has past, taking stock of their work. Others choose to simply move on with improvement and positive change in mind, focusing on making resolutions to do more of something or less of something else. These resolutions are often be finite and dramatic. I might hear grandiose statements from clients like "this year I will prioritise myself and my life over work" or "I will stop working weekends and evenings". Sometimes, the elusive "better work-life-balance" is also a major component of these statements. However, as is with human nature, we aim high and neglect the more obvious advantage of making small changes daily, that all can add up to sustainable change in the long term.

The power of positive intentions - rather than an unachievable resolution, replace your approach with some short positive intentions or mantras. Intentions which are written down can help you define your smaller, achievable actions better, focusing your mind and serving as a reminder for the day ahead. Writing these down in view or on post-it in your workspace, makes that intention prominent and supports its effectiveness. Add in the element of repetition, simply closing your eyes and repeating the statement of intention a minimum of 3 times, will help cement its impact and success.

Top intentions for remote workers - kickstart your use of intentions today! Grab a pen and paper and take a look at the following statements. What resonates with you? Ideally, Pick a maximum of 3. Ensure you what works for you as an intention and customise it to your own words, making the intention personal and your own to use.

• I start my work day with some dedicated planning time

• Paying myself first in my workday is a non-negotiable and puts my own wellbeing first

• Drinking water regularly is good for me

• Movement is a key part of my workday

• Remote work gives me flexibility, I use that positively every day

• The work I do today is enough

• I have all the time I need

• Noticing my body regularly helps me take care of my own needs

• I deserve to prioritise my self-care and wellbeing

• Taking regular breaks supports my wellbeing

• When I log off from work, I truly disconnect

• Insert your own intention here!

Use repetition for impact - A reminder that three intentions to start are sufficient and that to support the adoption of these intentions, use repetition to say these intentions out loud or to yourself, a few times at the start of the day. If you can, repeat that practice again mid-day to embed the intention even further, some people use a calendar reminder to support this practice.

You may want to look elsewhere for inspiration for our intentions. Maybe a graphical form of intention is attractive to you? Illustrator and author Liz Fosslien, has a wonderful range of illustrations that really resonate. I particularly like "Doing your best might look different each day", which is a powerful intention to set the pace for our workday, recognising that each day is different and encouraging acceptance of that.

A final note of encouragement, remember - The work you do today IS enough!

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To take a better break in your remote workday, check out my AudioBook; Better Breaks for Remote Workers >> 

This article was originally posted on LinkedIn on 3rd Jan 2022.