k. The months that followed were not pretty. As I looked over some of the intentions I had created for myself that year, I couldn't believe I listed in my top 5: grow my hair long. How embarrassing! Grow my hair long? Where was world peace? A healthy relationship? Increasing my income? Oh, it was there, but as I reflected on the results of that year, guess what I was successful at? You guessed it-lonDo you sometimes wonder what's the point of setting intentions? Some solo-preneurs set goals and intentions with joy; but others sabotage their business success by subconsciously waiting for their intentions to bomb. Which is it for you?

I've spent a lot of time creating vision boards, journaling, writing success recipes-you name it. I would do it all with gusto and secretly wonder, does this really matter? I mean, I've done it for 30 days and, well, where's my millions?

Until this past weekend.

This past weekend I had the yearly wahoo! of celebrating my birthday. I always take time to reflect (in a good way) over the past year, where I've been, where I'm going-that kind of thing. This birthday happened to be partnered with the first warm weather (finally!) that we've had in New York City so far this year, so that also meant spring cleaning and my reflections stretched back to 2001 as I went through various journals and intention-mementos.

I was literally astounded as I read and looked at "my intentions." First, I was shocked at how much of it had happened and second, I had to laugh at some of what I had put my energy and focus on. I had manifested everything from long hair to starting my own business, to getting married. But just for giggles, let's start with the long hair, shall we?

So back in 2001 I was having a tough time. You may have heard me say this before, but I was very sad. I started a new job with a major salary cut, was dumped by my boyfriend (harshly) and my city underwent the largest on-soil terrorist attack in U.S. history-all in the same week. The months that followed were not pretty. As I looked over some of the intentions I had created for myself that year, I couldn't believe I listed in my top 5: grow my hair long. How embarrassing! Grow my hair long? Where was world peace? A healthy relationship? Increasing my income? Oh, it was there, but as I reflected on the results of that year, guess what I was successful at? You guessed it-long

eally matter? I mean, I've done it for 30 days and, well, where's my millions?

Until this past weekend.

This past weekend I had the yearly wahoo! of celebrating my birthday. I always take time to reflect (in a good way) over the past year, where I've been, where I'm going-that kind of thing. This birthday happened to be partnered with the first warm weather (finally!) that we've had in New York City so far this year, so that also meant spring cleaning and my reflections stretched back to 2001 as I went through various journals and intention-mementos.

I was literally astounded as I read and looked at "my intentions." First, I was shocked at how much of it had happened and second, I had to laugh at some of what I had put my energy and focus on. I had manifested everything from long hair to starting my own business, to getting married. But just for giggles, let's start with the long hair, shall we?

So back in 2001 I was having a tough time. You may have heard me say this before, but I was very sad. I started a new job with a major salary cut, was dumped by my boyfriend (harshly) and my city underwent the largest on-soil terrorist attack in U.S. history-all in the same week. The months that followed were not pretty. As I looked over some of the intentions I had created for myself that year, I couldn't believe I listed in my top 5: grow my hair long. How embarrassing! Grow my hair long? Where was world peace? A healthy relationship? Increasing my income? Oh, it was there, but as I reflected on the results of that year, guess what I was successful at? You guessed it-lon

York City so far this year, so that also meant spring cleaning and my reflections stretched back to 2001 as I went through various journals and intention-mementos.

I was literally astounded as I read and looked at "my intentions." First, I was shocked at how much of it had happened and second, I had to laugh at some of what I had put my energy and focus on. I had manifested everything from long hair to starting my own business, to getting married. But just for giggles, let's start with the long hair, shall we?

So back in 2001 I was having a tough time. You may have heard me say this before, but I was very sad. I started a new job with a major salary cut, was dumped by my boyfriend (harshly) and my city underwent the largest on-soil terrorist attack in U.S. history-all in the same week. The months that followed were not pretty. As I looked over some of the intentions I had created for myself that year, I couldn't believe I listed in my top 5: grow my hair long. How embarrassing! Grow my hair long? Where was world peace? A healthy relationship? Increasing my income? Oh, it was there, but as I reflected on the results of that year, guess what I was successful at? You guessed it-lon

g hair to starting my own business, to getting married. But just for giggles, let's start with the long hair, shall we?

So back in 2001 I was having a tough time. You may have heard me say this before, but I was very sad. I started a new job with a major salary cut, was dumped by my boyfriend (harshly) and my city underwent the largest on-soil terrorist attack in U.S. history-all in the same week. The months that followed were not pretty. As I looked over some of the intentions I had created for myself that year, I couldn't believe I listed in my top 5: grow my hair long. How embarrassing! Grow my hair long? Where was world peace? A healthy relationship? Increasing my income? Oh, it was there, but as I reflected on the results of that year, guess what I was successful at? You guessed it-lon

k. The months that followed were not pretty. As I looked over some of the intentions I had created for myself that year, I couldn't believe I listed in my top 5: grow my hair long. How embarrassing! Grow my hair long? Where was world peace? A healthy relationship? Increasing my income? Oh, it was there, but as I reflected on the results of that year, guess what I was successful at? You guessed it-long hair.

Hmmm...interesting.

Of course, you might be thinking growing long hair is nowhere near as tough as starting a business. True, for some. I personally had struggled for years with growing my hair. And this is where the magic lies. I had so much else going on that I didn't give my hair a second thought. It just happened.

So as you create goals, make vision boards and use other tools to get you closer to what you want, I invite you to also be aware of what I've come to call your "back-stage thought." When I used to teach drama, I would stress to my students how important the stage crew is. They are vital. A show cannot powerfully function without a stellar crew. However, all the audience sees is the performance. And that's the way it should be, but if there isn't synergistic support between back and on stage, you've got a mess on your hands.

What's going on back stage for you?

I'm happy to report that I've learned to ask for much more than long hair and continue to constantly partner my on and back stage energy, and have watched my life and business continue to blossom.

Call-To-Action:

If you feel frustrated with not seeing your intentions come about, I'd like to give you a coach's challenge to look back and see, perhaps, something that has manifested. It might not be the million dollars, but my sense is there is something you might not have been so attached to that has shown up. Take note of it. It's not that you can't create-it's a matter of what you're creating.