Setting Intention

CONNECTING A FUTURE ACHIEVEMENT WITH PRESENT MOTIVATION

The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the meaning of intention as "the state of mind with which an act is done."

Setting intention is a means of connecting an achievement or state that exists in the future with present day motivation.

Intention directs energy and attention towards the future. It is a filter for experience, causing the subconscious to work towards the goal. The focus of the intention could be anything from achieving a goal to having a fabulous day.

Setting one's intention changes the way you relate to time.

The word "intent" comes from the Latin for "to stretch out." A well set intention does exactly that. By setting intention you unify the time between the present and the achievement of the goal by stretching a connection across the relevant time span.

When a person knowingly sets intention, for example by saying or thinking a phrase like,

"My intention is to ...",

they are affecting their connection with the future.

They send their attention and purpose forward in time from the present moment to the time of the achievement of the intended situation. This creates changes in behaviour, mood, awareness, and motivation.

The words you use for setting intention can cause different results.

The words are a message to your unconscious mind, which responds better to simple language than to long words and intricate sentences.

Let's take an example:

Imagine you're about to attend a class or seminar and you want to get the very most out of the learning experience. Try expressing your intention by using the following combinations of words:

• I intend for today to be a good learning day.
• My intention is to be a good learner today.
• I intend that I learn today.
• I intend to be a good learner today.
• I intend to learn.

Which one had the strongest impact for you?

The idea is to make one's intention perfectly clear, so the subconscious knows exactly what is required.

For most people, the more direct language (such as the last example) offers the greatest clarity and will create the best connection.

Methods for Setting IntentION

Decide on the time frame, location, and activities when you construct your intention.

Think of a mood, state of mind or achievement that is your goal and come up with a simple word or phrase to describe that.

For example: Have fun, pay attention, connect with people, win, explore, be caring, attract wealth, be healthy, learn, scale a mountain, and so on.

Setting intention is a tool.

You can set intention before important meetings, or as part of everyday life. It's up to you whether you want to set an intention for a specific event, or set intention to carry through your whole future ... or both.

VISUALISING a Time Line

Intention is closely related to time. You need to visualise a timeline for setting intention to work for you.

Each person perceives time a little differently. Try using linear time for setting intention.

Imagine the future as a line connected to your body.

Think of an ordinary thing you will do tomorrow, next week, and next year (waking up, brushing your teeth) and visualise where they are on your future line.

Imagine your past as another, different line connected to your body, separated from the future by 180 degrees.

Remember ordinary daily events from yesterday, last week, and last year (eating breakfast, driving to work) and locate them on your past timeline.

Visualise in your body how the line of the past and the line of the future meet, with your body located in the present moment. This visual representation is a timeline.

Setting intentION for an event (or specific period of time):

1. Think of an event or period of time for which you wish to set intention.

2. In your mind, position the event on your future timeline.

3. Now, in your mind, lift the section of time for the event off the timeline and change or re-shape it into a container (e.g. a vase, bucket, bowl)

4. Speak your intent. Imagine the intention flowing from you into the container. Fill the container with your intention. Feel free to add special effects, like sounds, colours, or sparkles.

5. When the container is full, lower it onto the timeline.

6. Transform and re-shape it back into a line.

7. Visualise the intention flowing back into the present moment. Feel the intention and see the connection between the present and the event.

8. Change your posture (sit up, get up, walk around) and move on to other things.

Setting intentION for the future (continuous, no end)

1. Think of an intent you would like to have with you all the time.

2. Picture your future timeline. Notice how it goes from your body into the future.

3. Lift a copy of your entire future off the timeline and change or re-shape it into container. (vase, bucket, trough, bowl, ...)

4. Speak your intent. Imagine the intent flowing from you into the container. Fill the container with your intent. Feel free to add special effects, like sounds, colours, or sparkles.

5. When the container is full, lower it into the timeline.

6. Transform and re-shape it back into a line.

7. Visualize the intent flowing back into the present moment. Feel the intention and see a connection between the present and the event.

8. Change your posture (sit up, get up, walk around) and move on to other things.

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