How to Set an Intention

By creating an intention, we become clear about what we want to accomplish and at the end of the day, we know how to measure our progress. When we set an intention, we connect with the deeper meaning of our desires and we pause to make our actions meaningful. This allows us to progress towards our life purpose. An intention evokes feelings, raises our energy and opens us up to infinite possibilities.

Dr. Deepak Chopra teaches that intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether it is money, relationships, spiritual awakening or love. Everything that happens in the universe, regardless of how big or small it is, begins with an intention. He shares with us that an intention is a directed impulse of consciousness that contains the seed from that which you aim to create. Like you plant a seed, intentions can only grow if you release them into the soil. They are unable to grow if you hold on to them. Only when you release your intentions into the fertile depths of your consciousness can they grow and flourish.

“Our intention creates our reality.”
~Wayne Dyer

How to Set an Intention

1. Awareness
The first step is awareness and a clear mind. You will find that your mind is caught up in thoughts, emotions, memories and worry about the future. This mind chatter sends out intentions all the time, but does not bring you what you truly want. To clear your mind you can meditate, go for a mindful walk or use clearing techniques(http://ulrikeberzau.com/coaching/).

2. Clarity
The next step is to have clarity about what you want. You can set out intentions for a small task, a day, a month or for your life goal and desires.

If you are not clear of your life goals there are powerful processes such as The Passion Test(http://ulrikeberzau.com/the-passion-test/) or Goal setting from the inside out(http://ulrikeberzau.com/coaching/).

3. Release Your Intentions
With clarity about what you want, release the intention to the higher power, the universe and your spiritual connection. The best time to plant your intentions is in the morning when you start your day, or during / after meditation or a mindful walk in nature. Choose a quiet surrounding, a time of solitude.

For task oriented intentions you can set them anytime. For example, many of my clients are active in sports and set their intention on their way to the equestrian stable or golf club. It is also powerful to start a conversation or a meeting with an intention.

4. Trust the Process
Remain centered in a state of awareness, detach from the outcome and let the universe handle the details. Dr. Deepak Chopra sums it up beautifully: “Your focused intentions set the infinite organizing power of the universe in motion. Trust that infinite organizing power to orchestrate the complete fulfillment of your desires. Don’t listen to the voice that says that you have to be in charge, that obsessive vigilance is the only way to get anything done. The outcome that you try so hard to force may not be as good for you as the one that comes naturally. You have released your intentions into the fertile ground of pure potentiality, and they will bloom when the season is right.”