“Our intentions create our reality.” – Wayne Dyer.
Wayne Dyer is a famous author who specialises in self-development books, one of his most notable works, “The power of intention”, explores how intentions are powerful tools you can use to create the life you want.
If we live with intention, it allows us to be more mindful in our everyday lives. In other words, we become more intentional with taking charge of our day, rather than life just ‘happening’ to us.
The power of setting daily positive intentions is often underestimated. Having a clear intention for each day can help you focus and achieve your life goals, as well as improve your personal growth. Here’s how to set your own positive intentions, with some examples to get you started.
What Is a Positive Intention?
A positive intention is a purposeful thought or action that you make each day; these intentions help you achieve a positive mindset and outlook on life and, as a result, allow you to take control of your life and steer it in the direction you truly want. Whether it’s making time for yourself, being kind to others, or creating space to be creative, setting a positive intention for each day can help you get closer to achieving your goals and dreams.
You might be thinking, aren’t all intentions positive? To a degree, yes. However, it’s important to understand the tone of your intentions matters – for example. You might set the intention ‘ I won’t eat junk food this week’ this in itself is a fine intention, but a more positive way to say the same thing would be ‘ I will nourish my body with clean food’ this week.
Using “I will” instead of “I won’t” makes the statement a good and positive intention. It helps you shift your mindset into being grateful that you’re going to be doing it, as opposed to using a negative intention.
What Is The Difference Between Positive Intentions And Goal Setting?
The main difference between positive intentions and goal setting is that goals are tangible objectives that you can measure progress on, whereas positive intentions are more of an overarching mindset or attitude that guides the direction of your life. Goals are important for providing a sense of focus, but positive intentions can help provide a greater context and meaning for your life.
The goal is the destination; the intention is the journey.
Think about it like this; you can set the goal of going on a morning hike up a mountain to see the beautiful view at the top. Before you go on the hike, you set the positive intention of being present during your hike, enjoying the nature around you and being grateful for having a body that allows you to move. Without these intentional thoughts, you can easily zone in on your end goal of reaching the mountain top, but in doing so, you miss out on enjoying the process.
The Power of Setting Intentions
There are many people who aren’t familiar with the concept of setting positive intentions. It’s not an abstract idea as some may think; in reality, the intention-setting process is great for anyone with goals.
Setting daily intentions has the power to drastically alter your life as your actions become more aligned with your thoughts.
When you set your mind to something and go after it with intent, the possibilities are endless. This is because Intent governs action. And when your actions are governed by a strong, clear intention, you can achieve anything.
This is a powerful tool for setting intentions. When you set an intention, you’re stating what you want in a very clear way. And by doing so, you’re opening yourself up to limitless possibilities of achieving that goal
But it’s not just about achieving goals; setting positive intentions also has many other benefits as well. Some of these include:
- Improved focus and concentration
- Greater clarity and insight
- increased motivation and inspiration
- Manifest happiness naturally
- Stronger connection to intuition and inner guidance
How to Set Positive Intentions
Step-by-Step Process on How to Set Positive Intentions
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #1
Get Clear On Your Priorities
Before you start setting positive intentions, it’s important to get clear on your most important values and current and future goals in life. This will help you stay focused and make sure that each intention you set is in line with your overall life plan.
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #2
Ask Yourself Guiding Questions
As you meditate or sit down in the morning or evening to write your Positive intentions, take a minute and pause, and think of what you want to get out of your day. Here are some guiding questions you can use:
- What kind of person do I want to be today?
- What kind of attitude do I want to have?
- What do I need to focus on today to achieve my goals?
- What do I want to commit to?
As you set intentions, ask yourself why the ones you’ve written are important. What bigger goal do they relate to? It is good to connect the intention to a higher purpose so that it sticks with you.
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #3
Visualise Achieving Your Intention
This can be done through meditation, journaling, or simply imagining yourself already having achieved the day’s intentions. Focus on how you want to feel and act when it comes time to tackle the tasks at hand
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #4
Set Reminders To Stay On Track
Put your intentions somewhere you can see them, or set a reminder on your phone so you won’t forget them during the day. You may also want to create an affirmation card based on your intention and carry it with you throughout the day as a reminder of what you are working towards
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #5
Break Down Your Goal Into Smaller Tasks.
Breaking down bigger goals into smaller, achievable tasks can help make the process more manageable and keep you from feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task at hand.
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #6
Make It Measurable
Make sure to set specific intentions that are measurable so you know when they’ve been achieved. For example, instead of setting the intention “be more productive”, try something like “I will finish two projects by the end of this week”.
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #7
Celebrate Small Successes Throughout The Day.
Achieving even one small step towards your daily intention is worth celebrating! Make sure to acknowledge and appreciate yourself for each success, no matter how small.
How To Set Positive Intentions – Step #8
Reflect and Review
After a few days or weeks, take time to reflect on how your intentions have been going. If you didn’t achieve them, don’t be too hard on yourself — just go back to the drawing board and
15 Positive Intentions Examples
As discussed earlier, really take the time to meditate and think about your goals and values in life and how you want to live your life day-in-day-out.
Once you feel confident in the direction, you want your life to move in, check out the following positive intentions and select the ones that resonate with you.
#1 Today, I will speak kindly to myself.
Self-talk has a powerful impact on our day-to-day lives. The things we say to ourselves, whether out loud or in our heads, have a huge influence on our moods, how we treat others, and the decisions we make. Unfortunately, most people talk to themselves in a way that is critical and judgmental. This can lead to feelings of self-doubt and insecurity, as well as decreased productivity and happiness.
Speaking kindly to yourself is one of the best ways to create a more positive inner dialogue. When you talk to yourself with understanding and compassion, you are more likely to feel happier and more confident. You will also be less likely to engage in destructive behaviours such as self-criticism or self-judgment
#2 Today; I will try difficult things.
Change is inevitable. Even so, there are many people who are still afraid of change. Of course, that’s valid since change is scary to navigate. But we can overcome this fear by embracing change daily. When you include this phrase in your positive intentions, you can openly welcome change in your life – from the smallest of details to the biggest ones.
#3 Today, I will be present in each moment.
Living in the present moment is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. When we’re living in the present, we’re fully aware of what’s happening around us and within us. We’re focused on the here and now rather than letting our thoughts drift to the past or future. This allows us to appreciate life more fully and experience each moment to its fullest potential
There are many benefits to living in the present moment. For one, it can help us become more mindful and aware of our surroundings. When we’re more mindful, we tend to be less judgmental and more accepting. We also tend to be less reactive and more responsive, which can lead to improved relationships both at home and at work.
#4 Today, I will do something fun.
In order to live a happy and fulfilling life, it’s important to make time for fun.
Too often, we get caught up in the day-to-day grind and forget to enjoy ourselves. We work long hours, come home exhausted, and then spend our free time watching TV or browsing the internet. This can be really draining and lead to feelings of boredom and dissatisfaction.
If you want to be happier and more content, it’s essential to make time for fun each day. This doesn’t mean you have to go out clubbing or skiing every night – in fact, something as simple as reading a book or taking a walk can be just as enjoyable. The key is finding activities that bring you joy and making time for them each day.
#5 Today, I will accept myself as enough.
We all have times when we don’t feel good enough. We may compare ourselves to others and find that we come up short, or we may doubt our ability to do something well. When these thoughts pop into our heads, it can be tough to push them away and remind ourselves that we are actually okay, just as we are
But the truth is, you are enough. You have everything you need inside of you to be successful and happy. You may not be perfect, and that’s okay – nobody is. But you are still worthy of love and respect, just as you are
So why not try repeating this intention to yourself today? It can help remind you that you are valued and important, no matter what anyone else says or thinks.
#6 Today, I will look at the positive side instead of the negative.
Too often, we get caught up in the negative aspects of life and forget to appreciate all the good things that are happening. When we focus on the negative, it can be tough to see the silver lining in any situation. But when we focus on the positive, things seem a lot brighter.
Looking at the positive side of things helps shift your mindset. Having a more positive mindset helps you handle situations more efficiently.
#7 Today, I will do something nice for a stranger.
It can be easy to forget how much it means to receive a kind word or gesture from someone else. This is why it’s so important to be kind and generous to strangers. It can feel great knowing that you’ve brightened someone else’s day with a simple act of kindness.
Doing something nice for a stranger can be as simple as holding the door open or giving up your seat on the bus. It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive. Just a small gesture of kindness can make someone’s day and put a smile on their face.
#8 Today, I will spend quality time with a friend.
It’s easy to get bogged down in the busyness of life and forget to make time for our friends. That’s why it’s so important to set aside some time each day for quality conversation with those we care about.
Spending quality time with friends can help us feel more connected and supported, creating a sense of belonging within our social circles. It also reminds us that we are not alone and that there are people in our lives who will listen to us and offer their support. Whether it’s a phone call, a video chat, or a physical meet-up (when possible), it’s always important to take some time for these meaningful conversations with friends.
#9 Today, I will do something creative.
Creativity is one of the most powerful forces in our lives. It allows us to express ourselves and explore ideas and solutions we never knew existed. By taking time to express ourselves creatively, we can benefit from improved mental and emotional well-being.
Making time for creativity also gives us a break from the stress and pressure of everyday life. Whether it’s drawing, painting, writing, or crafting something with your hands, taking some time for creativity can help to clear your mind and bring about a sense of inner peace.
#10 Today, I will learn something new.
It is important to keep learning and growing. Learning something new each day can help us stay sharp, be more productive, and open up our minds to new possibilities. Whether it’s a language, skill, or knowledge of something you already know, learning something new can be beneficial for many aspects of our lives.
#11 Today, I will finish my to-do list.
We all have tasks that need to be completed, and a to-do list can help us stay on track with our goals. By setting an intention each day to finish your to-do list, you will be able to stay focused and organized, helping you get closer to achieving your goals. If you are after more tips for how to maximise your day for productivity, click here.
#12 Today, I will listen to people with empathy.
Listening with an open mind and being empathetic can help build stronger relationships. Listening is a powerful skill that helps us understand people better and build meaningful connections. By taking the time to listen, we can learn more about ourselves and others while also improving communication with those around us.
Setting this positive intention can help us stay mindful and make sure that we are taking the time to listen to people with empathy. When we listen with empathy, we can help people feel heard and understood, which can lead to greater understanding and appreciation of each other.
#13 Today, I will drink enough water.
Water is essential for our bodies to function properly. Drinking enough water throughout the day can help flush out toxins, improve digestion, and boost our energy levels. By setting the intention to drink enough water, you will be able to reap the many benefits of staying hydrated.
Research suggests that adults should drink 2-3 litres of fluid each day. Therefore, it is important to set reminders during the day to keep drinking water. This will help you stay hydrated and healthy.
#14 Today, I will look for beauty in simple things.
Taking the time to appreciate the beauty of simple things can help us find joy and peace in life. From noticing the colours of a sunset to appreciating the beauty of nature, setting the intention to look for beauty in the small moments can help us stay mindful and focused.
By taking the time to appreciate the beauty in life, we can bring more joy and positivity into our lives. We can also feel connected to something larger than ourselves and gain a greater appreciation for the beauty that is all around us. So, take some time today to look for beauty in simple things. You may be surprised by what you find.
#15 I will practice gratitude throughout my day.
.Gratitude is a powerful tool that helps us stay positive and recognise the abundance in our lives. By taking time each day to practice gratitude, we can appreciate the things that bring us joy and cultivate a better attitude towards life.
Gratitude helps to shift our mindset from feeling discontent to feeling grateful and full of joy. By setting the intention each day to practice gratitude, we can reap the many benefits of a positive attitude.
Final Thoughts
Setting daily intentions can be a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being. It helps to keep us mindful and focused on our goals while providing us with the motivation and encouragement we need to make positive changes in our lives.
By setting intentions daily, we can stay focused on our goals, practice self-care, and create positive habits. Taking the time to set these intentions can help us gain clarity on our wants and needs so that we can develop a life of purpose and fulfilment. So, take the time today to set an intention that will help you stay focused on your goals and create positive change in your life.
We hope this article has helped you understand the power of setting intentions. Let us leave you with the question: What intentions will you set for yourself now?
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