The Power of Intention

Music therapists are fantastic resource hounds. Everything we see on a daily basis can become the material for truly excellent interventions for our clients and patients. It makes a lot of sense that usually we learn from our life and then apply what we've learned to our sessions.

Sometimes, though, the lessons flow the other way. A truth learned in music therapy needs to come with us into our lives.

While most music therapists have the potential to develop an infinite number of goals, objectives, and interventions for each client, they don't. They realize the constraints of their client's abilities and of the time-limited session. We cannot address every worthwhile objective in every session.

We realize we only have an hour with each client every week. So we understand that we have to pick and choose how to best spend that time.

In other words, we exercise our power of intention. We are deliberate with how we structure a session.

So, how is that we can be so good at this skill when it comes to our clients, but many of us our lousy at it when it comes to the rest of our lives?

I've noticed a trend with myself and my fellow college students, especially. I call it Liberal Arts Syndrome.

Liberal Arts Syndrome looks something like this: "I stayed up really late working on this homework and I don't think I understand it really but I got it done. Now I have to go cram some practice super fast because I have meeting for XYZ club tonight and I missed the last one because of ABC club so I need to see if I can make up the service hours..." Etc. Day in and day out.

We try to say "Yes," to every good and worthwhile opportunity that comes along. We commit to so many things that we end up only partially involved in everything we do. This partial involvement does not sit well with us, somewhere deep down. We feel bad when our understanding of important concepts is tenuous and our practice has been shallow.

We aren't utilizing the power of our intention.

This semester, I made a greater commitment to be intentional with how I spent my time. I flexed my "No" muscle much more than I ever had in the past. I turned down opportunities that would have, theoretically, been good for me because I did not have the resources to commit to them 100%.

This is still an experiment in progress, but I can't tell you how great it's felt to show up for nearly every rehearsal and feel focused. Or to show up to clinical sessions and feel nothing but energized to work with my patient.

As of now, I am loving being intentional!

What about you? Have you struggled with this in the past as well? Currently struggling? Any advice for me? Discuss!