Everybody learns things in their own time. Phrases like ‘owning’ a concept, or ‘an aha moment’ or even ‘having an epiphany.’ Sometimes I think I am such a slow learner, or maybe just busy or hyperactive. Sometime this last week I feel like I really started to understand and apply the setting an intention concept that I have been writing about in my facebook group / page and newsletter. And in understanding and believing I felt the power of actually setting an intention. Let me try to explain what I mean.

I have been tending to use the concepts of setting intentions and manifesting interchangeably. I now realise this isn’t exactly, well, right, or correct….no effective is the word I am searching for. They are best viewed as two separate ways of living the life we want, we deserve, we dream about. I will write a separate post about manifesting, and concentrate on what I have learned about setting intentions.

1. Setting an intention is much simpler than it sounds.
2. At the start of each day, sit for a few minutes and jot down the things you would like to do during that day. Know that it is possible. This is a feeling thing. I don’t know how else to explain it, except that just using words doesn’t cut it, we have to feel it.
3. As we start each task or action set the intention. As we eat our breakfast, feel it nourishing us. As we drink water, feel it hydrating us. As we nibble on peppermint leaves, feel it soothing our stomach.
4. As we pick up our cloth to clean something, feel happiness, peace, positive vibes, that we are cleaning the energy and the space in our homes.

Start out with these small intentions and notice the difference in our day. It is truly amazing.

For bigger intentions, set an intention or a goal and a timeframe, say 30 days. For example ‘I have reached my goal weight of….by 30 Nov 20.’ Remember though to make it a realistic goal, something not too easy or too difficult and one you are willing to take steps each day towards the goal. I wouldn’t set a goal to lose weight if I wasn’t willing to change the foods I ate or the amount of exercise I did.

Make the intention specific enough to be clear, not too vague. It has to be clear enough and simple enough that we can easily picture it, feel it, dream it and act like we have already achieved it.

After setting the intention, there are several steps.

1. List all the reasons why we can’t achieve the goal…and then de-bunk these myths. For example, ‘I can’t go to the workshop, I don’t have anything to wear,’ or ‘I can’t afford new clothes.’ The action step of going through your wardrobe and finding something you could wear, and going to a shop or op shop and finding something, de bunks the myth.  
2. Break the intention down into daily action steps. For the weight loss example – daily 10 000 steps, counting calories, finding and trying different recipes or making an effort to eat only healthy foods.
3. Each day, say the intention as many times during the day as possible, but (and here is the catch) as you do, believe it and feel it and act as if it has already happened. This is the part so many of us fall down on. It can’t be just words.  
4. Write the intention out on pieces of paper and put everywhere – mirror, bed, car, fridge, computer…everywhere where we are going to see it often.
5. Each day, take one action step towards the goal.

Take note, in a journal, each day of how we are progressing. What other synergies or blessings are we finding as we follow this process? The more we find to be positive and grateful for, the more things align and fall into place, the more motivated we are to continue.

My journey of discovery, of setting intentions, is exciting, and energising, and fulfilling …may yours be too. Blessed be.