Recently city inspectors went through our neighborhood and marked squares of 
sidewalk they deemed defective, i.e., uneven, cracked, or missing chunks, with large chalk Xs. They followed up with a letter informing those lucky homes that they would be billed for replacing the sidewalk unless they chose to replace the squares themselves.
sidewalk they deemed defective, i.e., uneven, cracked, or missing chunks, with large chalk Xs. They followed up with a letter informing those lucky homes that they would be billed for replacing the sidewalk unless they chose to replace the squares themselves.Shared Intention answers the questions:
- For what purpose are we doing this?
- What is the end-result that we want?
Homeowners with Xs on their sidewalks started to talk with each other. Their intention became clear: how do we replace the squares as cheaply as possible. Several neighbors took the initiative and began coordinating estimates from contractors and emailing those involved. They were offered group discounts. Within 3 weeks they had agreed on a contractor and are now waiting for the work to commence.
While simple, this is a good example of shared intention. People agreed on the end-result they cared about and self-organized to make it happen. In the process, a greater sense of community developed. People, who may only have waved at each other before, now knew each other's names and felt connected.
Shared intention is being clear what we are creating. Intention focuses our energy and requires we reflect on what is important to us.
"You have a part in the scheme of things. What that part is you can know only from within yourself...live in accordance with it by doing all the good things you are motivated toward and giving these things priority in your life over all the superficial things that customarily occupy human lives." from Steps Toward Inner Peace, by the Peace Pilgrim.
Too often at work, we think caring about what we do is a luxury because the demands of the business or our financial obligations must take precedent. Businesses may thrive this way but not satisfy our souls or truly benefit the world.
In contrast, co-creating is not effective without shared intention. It is the foundation for doing business together! It is becoming one of my criteria for getting involved in something as I learn to practice what I am learning.
