Setting Intentions: How To Do it and Why it Matters

The power of setting intentions is the way to achieve your goals

Intentions are powerful. They give direction to our thoughts, emotions, and actions, help us focus on what's important and achieve our goals.

Setting our intentions is a critical step in personal growth and success. But what exactly does it mean to set intentions, and how can we do it effectively?

Sister, let's explore these questions.

What are Intentions?

Intentions are a deliberate and conscious decision to focus on a specific outcome or goal. They are not just wishes or desires, but a clear, focused expression of what you want to achieve and how you plan to get there. Intentions help you align your thoughts, emotions, and actions with your values and desires, creating a sense of purpose and motivation.

Why Setting Intentions is Important.

Habib Kheradyar says, "Intentions are the active seeds of our future." They serve as a roadmap for life. They give us a clear sense of direction and help us stay focused on what's important. They also help us prioritise time and resources, making sure we are  putting energy into things that matter most.

When we set our intentions, we are essentially telling ourselves what we want to achieve, why it's important, and how to  plan to get there. This clarity helps us stay motivated, even when faced with setbacks or obstacles.

Intentions also help us cultivate a growth mindset. When we set intentions, we embrace a mindset of continuous improvement and personal development. We take responsibility for our own growth and success, and we take action to make our goals a reality. By setting our intentions, we also develop a sense of gratitude and appreciation for what we already have and what we hope to achieve in the future. 

If you're looking to enhance your gratitude practice and reap the benefits of a growth mindset, check out this article on 4 amazing benefits of practicing gratitude from Sister & Soul.

How to Set Intentions

Setting intentions requires time and focussed attention. This is the way we do it.

1. Identify Your Goals

The first step we take in setting our intentions is to identify our goals. We ask ourselves these questions. What do we want to achieve, both in the short term and long term? What are our values? What is most important to us? When we have a clear understanding of what we want to achieve, we can start setting our intentions.

2. Get Specific

Intentions are most effective when they're specific. Instead of saying, "I want to be happy," try saying, "I want to find joy in the small things in life." This specificity helps us focus our thoughts and emotions and gives us a clear target to aim for.

3. Write Them Down

Writing our intentions down makes them more real and tangible. We love to journal but a planner, or even a sticky note to keep them front and centre is just as effective. Writing our intentions down also helps us reflect on them regularly, allowing us to adjust and refine them as needed.

4. Be Positive

Intentions are much more powerful when they're framed in a positive light. Instead of saying, "I don't want to be stressed," try saying, "I want to find peace and calm in my daily life." This positive framing helps us focus on what we do want, rather than what we don't want.

5. Make Them Actionable

Lastly, Intentions are only effective if you take action to make them a reality. So, when we set our intentions, we also include action steps that will help us turn our intentions into reality. For example, if your intention is to find peace and calm, your action step might be to practice mindfulness meditation every day.

So sister, why not ask yourself what is really important to you and make plans to go after it.

We are cheering for you! 

Featured photo by Brian Mann