Perhaps you’ve tried setting strict goals for yourself in the past, but you’ve never really achieved the results you wanted with this method. Instead of setting goals, why not try setting intentions?
An intention is a statement that reflects the values you want to express in your life. Whether you want to make a major lifestyle change, or simply shift your focus towards what’s most important, you can create an intention that encompasses your hopes for the future. You can even set intentions for your family or household!
But how do you set an intention that helps you move forward? And what should you do to keep your focus on your intention and not lose sight of what you want? Use these tips to set intentions to change your life for the better!
Choose a Statement That Reflects Your Values
First, it’s important to hone in on the qualities you really want to cultivate in your life. Hone in on your needs and desires. Don’t think about what you “should” set as an intention—instead, get clear on your own hopes and dreams.
What do you want to bring to the table? What traits do you want to develop? Ultimately, you should make sure that your intention reflects your core values, whether it’s just one word or a simple phrase.
Keep It Positive
You want to make sure that your intention doesn’t convey a negative tone. For example, if you want to stop criticizing others, you might be tempted to set an intention like, “Stop complaining.” Instead, think about how you could express the same sentiment with a more uplifting tone.
For example, you could shift your intention to, “Support others,” or “Stay positive.”
Get Inspired with These Thought-Starters
What if you feel like you’ve hit a roadblock when it comes to intentions? You know you want to make some changes in your life, yet you can’t figure out a way to sum it up with an intention. Try thinking about a few of these thought-starting questions to get some inspiration.
For instance, what matters most to you? Is there anything you want to let go of? What do you want to build or create? What dreams do you have for your future? Is there anything you need to forgive yourself for? What are you doing when you feel happiest?
State Your Intention at Specific Times
Once you’ve figured out your intention, think about when you want to reflect on it so that it’s at the forefront of your mind. For instance, you could meditate on your intention for a few minutes every morning when you get up, or every evening before you go to bed.
Alternatively, you could write about your intention in your journal each day and note what you did to uphold your intention. You could also write down your intention and put it up near your bedroom door or on your refrigerator as a reminder!
Revisit Your Intention
It’s important to revisit your intention often, especially when you’re in the midst of a busy or stressful time! When you’re feeling overwhelmed, draw your attention back to your intention. You can refocus yourself and concentrate on your core values.
Revisiting your intention also allows you to tweak it if you’ve realized that you’re already doing a good job of upholding it! It’s okay to change your intention as your vision for your life changes. When you revisit your intention, you can evaluate your life’s direction and your vision for the future.
—
Do you want help setting a major intention for your life? Consider working with a therapist. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.
