How Important is the Relationship Between Intention and Impact?
Mar 23, 2021
I want to start this off by asking you to think about and maybe even write down an initial answer. We will come back to your initial thoughts at the end. Let’s get into it…
Intention informs impact.
An intention is an idea or a plan of what you’re going to do. In the case of language and how we both consciously and unconsciously use it, it is imperative that we remain as connected as possible to what our intentions are in order to maximise the impact of the words and actions they inform. That includes both our internal and external voices.
So often, humxns have a tendency to show more consideration to others than ourselves. Rarely is it intentional, but it’s a habit many of us unconsciously practice for some time before we re-evaluate and embark on breaking the cycle. By identifying what our intentions are, both towards ourselves and others, we can determine action that will have the best chance of having the desired impact and when it doesn’t, we have a firmer understanding of when something or someone isn’t right for us, or when we need to re-evaluate our actions.
‘We disregard the actual definition of the word and instead, understand it to mean whatever society, or those around us, believe it to be, or the contexts they use it in.’
When making choices, we are bound by our understanding of actions, which are defined by language. But what we commonly fail to consider, is the impact that social constructs and influences have on what we understand a word to mean. We disregard the actual definition of the word and instead, understand it to mean whatever society, or those around us, believe it to be, or the contexts they use it in.
For example, if I was to say to you: What is a Singer?
What would you say? How much of your definition is impacted by social constructs and social influence?
I know that until literally 18 months ago, regardless of the fact that I grew up singing in school choirs, as part of a Big Band, writing music and enjoying singing… I defined a singer as someone who’s really good at it or does it for a living.
But who chooses who’s a good singer and who isn’t? That is ENTIRELY subjective.
I grew up with two sisters who sang as part of their careers and are super talented, and was in a relationship with a phenomenal singer for 2.5 years who also sang as part of their career. As a result of those three personal opinions of mine as well as their personal and professional accolades, I was totally incapable of saying I was a singer too, even though I was writing more and more and in turn singing more and more. Even though their being singers has nothing to do with me.
So often, I would say things like, ‘I sing to write songs’ or ‘yeah I can hold a tune’ or some other lame excuse for why I couldn’t just say ‘yes, I am a singer.’ This was solely based on my internal dialogue with myself.
WHAT WAS MY INTENTION AND HOW DID THAT RELATE TO THE IMPACT?
On reflection, I think my intention was to not fail. To not be considered ‘not as good’ or ‘not good enough’. But all of those things were me projecting my insecurities onto others and receiving them back - like little insecure ghosts that float around you when you get asked or ask yourself the question. The impact was bigger than I realised and in hindsight, the best way I can describe it is, it’s like I was a closeted singer. Mostly because I put myself in the closet… but equally because society perpetuated the notion that you had to meet certain standards to classify.
By starting to work on myself and really look into the impact my actions and feelings were having on me, I began to identify what my intentions were in every area of my life.
In the case of singing, my intention was and remains, to express myself through music. The impact that has on me when I honour that intention by practicing self-respect for my craft and encouraging myself to explore my voice, both metaphorically and literally, is therapeutic, cathartic and liberating. All of which feel good and in turn impact my mental and physical wellbeing positively. At which point, it feels exciting and even more liberating, to release the music into the world in the hope it might resonate with just one other person.
So by denying myself the title of singer, which in turn stopped me from exploring it in the same way, although it wasn’t my intention, it impacted me on a personal level and disabled the opportunity for my art to positively impact myself or another person.
OUR INNER VOICE INFORMS OUR OUTER VOICE
We deserve more than that from ourselves and our creativity. Our inner voice informs our outer voice. And our thoughts inform our actions. Lead with compassion for yourself first and foremost in order to share it with impact and positive intention. Think about the language you use towards yourself and in turn others.
LANGUAGE ALWAYS MATTERS.
For more information follow her on Instagram @aislingo and find her on all music platforms under AISLING
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