How to Use Intention to Create the Life You Desire
Jul 16, 2025
Are you consciously using the power of intention to help you live your Best Life?
Or perhaps you’ve had one of those days where you feel like you’re just going through the motions? Is it possible it’s because you didn’t set an intention for the day, or you didn’t feel connected to your higher purpose?
Setting an intention isn’t just about having a goal to reach — it's about focusing your energy on what matters most to you. I’ve certainly noticed the difference when I have a strong intention, and purpose, and when I don’t. Intentions can help you unlock the power to live your Best Life.
What is an Intention?
In simple terms, an intention is a clear, heartfelt aim or purpose. It's different from a goal, because it's more about the direction you want your life to go in, rather than a specific outcome. While goals might be something like ‘I want to lose 10 pounds,’ or ‘I want to get a promotion,’ intentions are more about how you want to feel, act, or show up in life. It’s like creating a guiding light that helps you navigate your path.
For example, instead of saying, ‘I want to exercise more,’ an intention could be, ‘I want to feel strong and healthy in my body today.’ The intention focuses on how you want to feel and aligns with your values.
(If you’re unclear about your values, our free course The Values Code: Unlocking Your Best Self can help you – either discover, or refresh your values.)
Why Are Intentions Important?
I have very clear intentions about Your Best Life Academy, and it inspires me daily to complete the things I need to do to take it where I wish to go. I am so motivated that I very rarely need to ‘force’ myself to do something – my inspiration takes me there! š
- Clarity and Focus - When you set an intention, you’re giving your mind and body a clear direction. It’s like setting a GPS for your life. With that focus, you’ll be more likely to make choices that align with your desired outcome, even in the smallest moments (eg. I want to create this product – so what’s needed, and let’s go! š).
- Mindful Living - Intention helps you stay present. When you wake up in the morning and set an intention, you’re actively choosing to live with purpose. It encourages mindfulness — paying attention to what you’re doing, and how you’re feeling. (I usually set an intention for the day each morning – and sometimes the night before, I will plan ahead and get things ready for the next day.)
- Empowerment - Setting an intention puts you in the driver’s seat of your life. Rather than letting life happen to you, you’re actively creating it. This feeling of control can bring more confidence and peace of mind.
- Attracting What You Want - Your thoughts and feelings are powerful. When you set an intention, you're aligning your energy with what you want to bring into your life. Whether it’s joy, success, love, or peace, focusing on those things can help attract them. (Your focus and your energy bring your conscious and subconscious mind to the item/intention you wish to work on, helping it along, and opening yourself up to opportunities - and noticing them when they come up, and doing something about them.)
How to Set an Intention
Setting an intention doesn’t need to be complicated. There are a few simple steps that you can follow, to get you started.
- Pause and Breathe - Take a moment to center yourself. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and let go of any distractions. This helps you connect with what you truly want. (Yoga is very big on breathing, or pranayama, to center yourself. I do this often, with myself, and with clients, and find it really helps to settle, ground, and bring your awareness to the present moment.)
- Reflect on Your Values - What matters most to you in life? Whether it’s health, love, peace, creativity, or something else, understanding your values can help guide your intention. You can even ask yourself, ‘What do I want to feel today?’ or ‘How do I want to show up for myself and others?’ (Our free course The Values Code: Unlocking Your Best Self can help you discover, or update your values if you need a refresher.)
- Choose Your Intention - Based on what you want to focus on, choose a word or a phrase that feels meaningful. It could be something simple like ‘peace,’ ‘balance,’ or ‘gratitude.’ Alternatively, your intention could be a bit more specific, like ‘I want to be kind to myself today,’ or ‘I choose to embrace new opportunities.’
- Anchor It in Your Day - Keep your intention in mind throughout the day. You can write it down, repeat it to yourself, or even visualize it. You could even put it as a reminder in your phone, to help you live with your intention throughout the day. The more you remind yourself of your intention, the more you’ll align your actions with it.
How Intention Can Help You Live Your Best Life
Living your Best Life starts with intention. It’s about creating the life you want by aligning your thoughts, actions, and energy with your values. Intentions can play a key role in a number of ways, some of which are outlined below.
- Living with Purpose - When you set an intention, you’re consciously choosing how to live your day. Instead of reacting to everything around you, you’re living in a way that aligns with what truly matters to you. This sense of living with purpose brings fulfillment and satisfaction.
- Building Positive Habits - Consistently setting intentions can help you create lasting habits. For instance, if your intention is to live a healthier life, you’ll naturally make choices that support that intention — whether it’s eating well, moving your body, or getting enough rest. (Our Busy Life Health Boost bundle can assist with uplifting your health, and our Positive Mindset Mastery to Live Your Best Life can assist with cultivating a more positive mindset.)
- Improved Relationships - Setting intentions in your relationships helps you show up as the person you want to be. If your intention is to practice kindness, understanding, or patience, you’ll interact with others in a way that deepens your connections, and brings more positivity into your life. (If improving your friendships is important to you, you might like our 50 prompt Friendship Journal, which helps you go within, so you know what you want our of your friendships, and how to get it.)
- Greater Wellbeing - When you align your actions with your intentions, you feel more at peace with yourself. Intention helps you stay focused on what truly nourishes your body, mind, and spirit. You’re less likely to get distracted by things that drain your energy, or steer you off course — and instead feel happy that you have followed your intention, and put your energy and focus on what matters to you.
Simple Ways to Use Intention Every Day
- Morning Ritual - Start your day by setting an intention. It could be something as simple as affirming ‘I choose peace today,’ or ‘I am open to new opportunities.’
- Affirmations - Use positive affirmations that align with your intentions. For example, ‘I am healthy, happy, and strong,’ or ‘I attract love and abundance into my life.’ You can make your own – use present tense, and focus on what you want in your life. Repeat it whenever you think of it, and/or whenever you feel yourself going ‘off-track’.
- Check-In – Midday, or at the end of the day, check in with yourself. Did you stay connected to your intention? How did it shape your actions? Reflecting helps you stay on track, and make adjustments if needed. And remember, it is a process, so be kind to yourself if you did go off-track. Just adjust, and keep going.
- Intentions in Difficult Times - Even in tough situations, you can set an intention. For example, if you’re facing a challenge, your intention might be ‘I choose to remain calm and centered,’ or ‘I will learn from this experience.’ It can be a process, so give yourself some grace, and keep going.
Conclusion
Living with intention is a powerful way to live your Best Life. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most to you with purpose and focus. When you set your intentions, you’re taking control of your day, and your life, aligning your actions with your heart’s desires, and creating a life that feels fulfilling and authentic.
Living intentionally is a powerful way to take control of your life and create the experiences you want. Whether it’s focusing on your health, relationships, or personal growth, setting clear intentions can help you live a life filled with purpose, joy, and alignment with your Best Life.
If you're ready to set your own intentions and start living your Best Life, why not take a moment right now to pause, and choose your intention for today? You'll be amazed at the positive impact it can have!
š FAQ - Living Your Best Life with Intention
Q - What is the difference between a goal and an intention?
A - A goal is a specific, measurable outcome you want to achieve, such as ‘I want to lose 10 pounds’ or ‘I want to run a marathon.’ An intention, on the other hand, is a broader, more general guiding principle that focuses on how you want to feel, or what you want to embody in your life. For example, ‘I intend to feel strong and healthy’ or ‘I intend to embrace challenges with a positive mindset.’ Intentions are about the journey, not just the destination.
Q - Can I set intentions for specific areas of my life?
A - Yes! You can set intentions for any area of your life, whether it's your health, relationships, career, or personal growth. For example, ‘I intend to take care of my body with healthy food and movement’ or ‘I intend to create deeper connections with my loved ones.’ Focusing your intention on specific areas helps you stay aligned with your values and goals.
Q - How often should I set an intention?
A - It’s most effective to set an intention daily, as this keeps you focused and present each day. However, you can also set longer-term intentions for different periods, such as a week, month, or year. Regularly revisiting your intentions helps keep you on track and reminds you of what’s truly important. Sometimes I choose a word for a year, eg. peace, or balance, and use that as my guiding intention. I find it can be quite helpful, when used as a guiding intention.
Q - How do I set an intention for my day?
A - Setting an intention is simple! Start by pausing for a moment of quiet reflection. Think about what you’d like to focus on, or how you want to feel during the day. It could be as simple as ‘I intend to stay calm and centered’ or ‘I choose joy and gratitude today.’ Write it down, say it out loud, or keep it in mind throughout the day to guide your actions. If I had selected ‘peace’ for my intention of the year, for example, I could choose ‘peace in meetings’ for a daily intention, or ‘peace around challenging people’ if you know you will be meeting someone who upsets your equilibrium. There are multiple ways that you can carry an intention throughout the year.
Q - What are some examples of intentions for self-care?
A – I’ve noted some self-care intentions you could use below – although you’re always able to create your own, to suit your own desired and circumstances. As noted above, you could set a broader weekly, monthly, or yearly intention, and then break them down according to the day.
- ‘I intend to prioritize my mental health by practicing mindfulness today.’
- ‘I choose to nourish my body with healthy, wholesome food.’
- ‘I intend to spend time outdoors and reconnect with nature.’
- ‘I choose to rest and recharge when needed.’
Q - How can setting intentions improve my mental health?
A - Setting intentions helps reduce stress and anxiety, by giving you a sense of control and direction. It also encourages mindfulness and self-compassion, which are essential for mental wellbeing. When you focus on positive intentions like ‘I choose calm’ or ‘I intend to be kind to myself,’ you create a supportive and nurturing environment for your mental health.
Q - How can I stay motivated to live with intention every day?
A - To stay motivated, remind yourself of the benefits of living intentionally. Reflect on how setting intentions makes you feel more focused, empowered, and aligned with your values. Create a daily ritual of checking in with your intentions, whether through journaling, affirmations, or meditation. It can also help to share your intentions with a supportive friend or community, as accountability can help keep you on track.
Q - Can setting intentions help me achieve my goals?
A - Absolutely! While goals are specific and measurable, intentions are the energy and mindset that drive you toward those goals. Setting intentions helps you stay focused on the bigger picture, and aligns your actions with your desired outcomes. For example, an intention like ‘I intend to embrace new opportunities’ can create the mindset needed to pursue new goals with confidence and enthusiasm. Or if wanted more peace in my life, and peace was my intention for the year, I could embrace new opportunities by trying meditation at a new place and meet new people, and yoga (again, could try different styles of yoga, get some exercise in, and meet new people), and journaling (to help explore any limiting beliefs that come up).
Q - Is it okay to change my intentions if they no longer feel right?
A - Yes, it’s perfectly okay to adjust or change your intentions as you grow and evolve. Life is fluid, and your priorities might shift over time. Regularly revisiting and adjusting your intentions ensures they remain aligned with your current values, goals, and desires. For example, if peace was my yearly word, I might discover that I already have peace, or that it needs a little tweaking, and choose mindfulness instead, so I’m more aware and living in the present moment in my daily life.
Q - How can I track my progress with my intentions?
A - You can track your progress by reflecting regularly on how well you’ve stayed connected to your intention. This could be through journaling, self-reflection, or by setting aside time each week to review your intentions. You can also celebrate small wins and acknowledge the moments when you’ve lived in alignment with your intention. This helps you stay on track, and encourages a mindset of living up to your word/intentions.
References/Further Reading
https://hbr.org/2013/02/the-power-of-intent
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-creative-life/201908/the-power-of-setting-intentions
https://www.calm.com/blog/setting-intentions
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Disclaimer
The information in this blog is intended for general inspiration and personal growth purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional advice, including medical, psychological, or financial guidance. Please consult a qualified professional for any personal concerns. Please follow what feels right and true for you.
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