Verbal Catalyst for Habit Transformation
The vocabulary of intention setting.
POSITIVE AFFIRMATION
"The environments we inhabit shape the habits we develop and the people we become. The simple choices I made years ago were habits in disguise. Tiny routines that nudged my environment in a positive direction.
Today I am the product of all the tiny environmental nudges."
Whether you’re aware of it or not, an intention is being set for you each day. Imagine as you wake, the factions fighting for your attention are the Coalition of Social Media, the Axis of Family, and the Alliance of the Unexpected Stuff. They all have their agendas, firing their artillery in the form of posts, kisses, and “we’re out of coffee.” The battle could last just a few moments or could rage on all morning. But by the end, your mood has been decided… by others.
When my dragon, aka baby, was born, I learned how important it was to expose her to natural sunlight early in the morning to help set a good circadian rhythm. It’s a practice I still do, and lately, during our morning chat (mainly me talking, but she babbles and points now), I’ve taken to choosing a word or phrase to describe how we want our day to feel.
For example, I’ve recently picked adventure, find the funny, reminisce, behave what’s in your nature, and power moves.
And more often than not, the day does feel that way - for me and my daughter.
Intention setting is nothing new. Plenty of research has shown that priming the mind does affect, consciously and unconsciously, how we behave. That intention setting positively affects neuroplasticity, can lead to decreased amygdala reactivity to negative stimuli, and may lead to long-term structural changes such as increases in gray matter density - all good things apparently.
But before there was modern research, meditation, and stoicism knew of the power of priming.
Metta meditation primes, ex. repeating mantras, the mind through affirmations that embody positive intentions like understanding and kindness. This conditions one to embody such qualities in thoughts and actions, better handling challenges with grace.
Stoic practices like prosochē direct present-moment attention to conscious choices aligned with values. Premeditatio malorum mentally prepares for obstacles by preemptively envisioning responses. Both cultivate mindful navigation of life's difficulties.
To really elevate our intention setting, consider the limits of our language and vocabulary. Called the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, it suggests that the structure and vocabulary of a language impact how we understand the world around us.
“As our vocabulary for talking about emotions expands, so does our ability to understand and distinguish those emotions.” - Very Well Mind
In other words, if you don’t know the word you want to use, then how can you prime yourself for it? You’re limiting yourself because you aren’t expanding upon your vocabulary and language skills.
TAKEAWAY
Keep listening to the impressive words that successful people use. Pay close attention and learn them. Then, challenge yourself to create your own new meaningful words and phrases each morning.
Improve your vocabulary, improve your potential.
Use the language of high-achievers as inspiration. Then make it your own through a simple morning habit of word creativity. Every precisely-chosen word or expression you construct and use reinforces the identity you want for yourself.
(words matter)
➩ Highly recommend Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig, full of made-up words that are somehow able to transport you to new emotions. Here’s my review of it in terms of finding positivity and improved productivity.
➩ The knit polo for guaranteed compliments. I hit the jackpot when I bought a cream-colored knit polo shirt, with no buttons a couple of years ago and ever since have gotten so many compliments each time I’ve worn it. Check out GQ’s explanation and then grab yours from Buck Mason. I suggest getting one with a hem rib finishing.
➩ Pair a watch with a bracelet for just the right amount of attention. Implementing the principles of MAYA, having both is different enough to catch some eyeballs but not so different to garner judgment.
[A.I. notes]
Welcome to a new segment of Venture Out, where I’ll take you on my journey to learn AI. We can’t (literally) afford to be left behind as the world advances.
🤖 Once you’ve picked the intention you want to set for the day, try asking an AI platform to amp it up. For example, I asked Claude:
Rewrite the below to be more amped up:
look at the world with marvel
The response included:
Approach this terrestrial spectacle we call reality with ravaging curiosity and pulsating wonder.
