Intention Setting

Kim Carroll |

Many of you are aware of my journey of becoming a financial advisor after 26 years as a dance teacher. Teaching dance was not just a job. It was my passion, and I've been fortunate enough to pursue two careers that I love. While dance and finances may seem like they are polar opposites, intention setting is essential in both.  Today, I want to share an intention setting lesson from my dance teaching days, particularly during my time at a competition studio.

In discussions with our competitive groups, the children, eager for recognition, wanted trophies for their efforts. During one conversation, I asked how many believed they would achieve a platinum score at the next competition, the highest level of recognition. Surprisingly, only a few raised their hands. I emphasized the importance of belief and intention. Only the children who were raising their hands were the ones accomplishing their goals.

The truth is, if you don't believe in your ability to achieve something and don't set the intention to do so, it likely won't happen. This principle applies to various aspects of life, including finances. If you don't believe you're worthy of financial success or a comfortable retirement, you may struggle to attain it. Life's harsh reality is that without setting and working toward goals, achievements remain elusive.

Consider how a runner prepares for a marathon or an Olympian for their sport—they believe in their ability to succeed. Life operates on similar principles. Much like dance, where talent contributes only 2%, determination makes up the remaining 98%. I've witnessed this principal time and again in the transformation of countless students.

My challenge to you is to set intentions for the year. I wholeheartedly believe in goal setting and designing a plan to achieve those goals. Whether it's getting out of debt, saving for retirement, or pursuing any dream, setting intentions is crucial. Write down your goals for 2024, speak them out loud every day, and, most importantly, believe in them. If you struggle with belief, keep affirming until it becomes your truth.

Lastly, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Share your intentions and let me be your accountability partner in achieving what you want from life. Together, we can reach new heights. The sky is the limit.