You might think that setting an intention for manifestation is the easy part.
I mean, how hard is it to decide on something you want?
Even though setting your intention is often the first step for even the easiest of manifestation techniques, setting an effective intention is often where most beginners make mistakes. If we get this step wrong then best case our manifestation is less potent and (more likely) it doesn’t work at all.
So what the heck is an intention and how do you set one that will actually work?
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What Is an Intention for Manifestation?
If you’ve seen me talk about manifestation at all then you probably know how excitable I can get.
I can’t help it. This is so damn powerful.
Over the last 3 years, setting the right intentions and effective manifestation has led me to:
- Travel the world-hopping between countries as I felt like it.
- Finding the most wonderful partner I could have asked for.
- Brought me my dream job.
- Transformed my life.
I say this not to brag or showboat. I say it because I want you to see the same thing.
I look at it this way. We only have a limited time on this Earth. While I’ll admit to spending a couple of those hours here and there on a Netflix binge – I want to make the most of my time here.
An intention for manifestation is a guiding goal. It acts as a map and compass in the darkness of your subconscious.
It’s not something we just kind of want. It’s the next stepping stone to your dream life. That one thing that makes your heart skip a beat.
Sure, we’d all like to win the lottery but that’s not the end result. What would you do if all limitations were removed from your way? If the universe carved out a path for you and rolled out the red carpet?
An intention for manifestation is a roadmap for living your dream life.
How Do You Set a Powerful Intention
There’s a couple of ground rules.
No hard-set rules, you can do whatever the hell you want, but I want you to really see results with your manifestation so this is what I suggest.
If you’re completely new to all this (or you haven’t seen results yet) I’d suggest following our workbook. It’ll take you step through each stage and help you avoid the common pitfalls people make.
Rule 1: Pick a Real Goal
This is where a lot of beginners make an easy mistake.
Manifestation can be used in any area of your life. It can have a huge impact. It can bring your dream to reality.
But we need to learn to walk before we can run.
In order to make manifestation work, we need our subconscious mind to really believe that our intention is going to happen. At this stage, I know how it can shift my reality but it’s often a good idea to start small.
Start with an intention you’re almost at. Something that would just take a little nudge to get you there.
Once you start seeing results with your intentions that give you the subconscious confidence to start setting bigger goals.
Rule 2: Keep It Emotional
If you really want to boost your intentions make it something you have an emotional attachment to and phrase it with emotion.
Let’s take getting your dream job as an example.
Forget the extra freedom, money, respect or whatever else would come with this shift. What would you really treasure?
Now, this shouldn’t be what you think people would want to hear. I don’t want to hear you’re going to have all this money to give to charity (though, great if you are). It needs to be what speaks to you.
Find what you have an emotional bond to and phrase your intention charged with that emotion.
For example:
- I am going to get that job because I wouldn’t have an asshole boss telling me what to do.
- I am going to make so much more money at this new job.
- This new job is about to bring me so much respect and power.
It could be in any area of your life. Just as long as you have an emotional attachment to it. It needs to be an authentic intention.
Bonus: Examples of Intentions from My Manifestation Journal
Sticking with the dream job example, I want to share a few from my own journal from a few years ago (these worked):
- I’m going to have a sense of freedom when I travel the world with my new work.
- I’m going to help people while loving what I do.
- I’m going to make a difference in the world.
- I’m going to love my work.
These intentions shifted my reality big time because I had such an emotional attachment to them. The sheer thought of what I wanted to do excited me and my intentions lined me up for success.
Rule 3: Unleash Your Reality
Once you have your intention set it’s time to live the reality and unleash it on the universe.
There are dozens of manifestation techniques you can experiment with. Whether you’re using singing bowls and manifestation journals or a scrap of paper and a half-chewed pen.
Setting the intention is half the battle.
Making it clear to your subconscious what you are going to do. Making sure the universe knows that its time to get out of your way.
You still need to make it happen.
You need to take advantage of every opportunity and allow the universe to present them to you.
Taking my example above – I couldn’t just write affirmations about this new dream work I’d be doing. I started my day with a clear intention and I got my head down and did the work.
Doors opened.
Expectations changed.
This is the power of the entire process and where the concept of manifestation falls flat for a lot of people. You’re going to need to work. Setting your intention for manifestation just means you’re also going to make it happen.
Rule 4: Expect and Overcome
It can be easy to read some of the successful manifestation stories and let your thoughts run away with you.
The manifesting process rarely goes as you expect it. Especially if you’re just getting started. There are going to be setbacks.
It’ll be up to you to roll with the punches. It might be an opportunity or a lesson in disguise, it might just be part of your journey.
Don’t daydream about an easy journey. There’s a difference between setting an intention and wishful thinking. That difference shows up in how to react to setbacks.
If in doubt: keep going. Double down on your effort and the universe will get out of your way.
How Do You Start Your Day With Intentions?
I set my intentions early in the morning while having my first cup of coffee.
(Okay, who am I kidding, my first pot of coffee.)
Either as part of another affirmation or manifestation process, I start my day with a clear goal in mind. It’s more than just jotting down a to-do list that I want to check through.
It’s my attack plan for the day.
I take 5 minutes out of my morning (no matter how hectic it is) and go through my intention-setting process without fail. Yes, the power of intention is this important.
Even if you only take 30 seconds out of your morning to start with an intention make it a mindful 30 seconds. Ideally, I like to do 5 minutes because it gives me time to focus my mind and make it a conscious manifestation. An attack plan for the next 24 hours.
Here’s the golden rule: Daily intentions should be specific to the day.
It’s not about an overall goal you have in general or just something you’re working towards. It needs to be something you’re actively going to do at least one point in that day. Keep it small. Keep it focused.
Using my own intentions as an example again, today I started with:
I’m going to publish my guide on writing intentions for manifestation. It’s going to help people change their lives.
How Do You Set Monthly Intentions?
A monthly intention is often going to look different from your daily one.
This is where we can look more into the long-term. It should still be something you could realistically achieve within the next month and if you’re focusing on something bigger than that – break it down into chunks.
For example, manifesting love, in general, might take longer than manifesting a specific person you already have in mind. Depending on where you feel you currently are you might try something like:
- Month 1: Set the intention to take care of yourself. Focus on you.
- Month 2: Set the intention to get out there and meet people.
- Month 3: Set the intention to draw your ideal person straight to you.
What is a Good Intention to Set?
Frustratingly the answer is always whatever intention speaks to you.
It doesn’t matter if your goals are material, spiritual or anywhere in between. A good intention is one that speaks to you. The stronger the pull, the more effective it’s going to be.
Avoid vaguely ‘that would be nice’ kind of intention. Keep them sharp. Razor-sharp. So specific and close that you can practically taste it.
FAQs
If there’s something I forgot to cover, feel free to get in touch. I want to make sure you understand the process of setting an intention because it’ll set you up for success in every other aspect.
Questions I frequently see asked, I’ll include here.
What is the Difference Between Intention and Manifestation?
While you could argue definitions intention and manifestation go hand in hand. Setting an intention is setting the goal of achieving something and manifestation is the process of making it a physical reality.
For some, the terms are interchangeable and the simple act of setting an intention is an act of manifestation by itself.
How to Set a Spiritual Intention
Disclaimer: You can use manifestation for any goal you want. Just because I talk a lot about furthering your spiritual journey doesn’t mean I don’t also use manifestation and intentions in other areas of my life.
But it’s certainly a powerful tool to further your spiritual journey if you want it to be.
Intentions are a key part of my own spiritual practices and it’s important to know why we’re doing something for it to have any bearing on the physical reality. I don’t know many belief systems where just following the motions is going to get you far.
How to Set an Intention With a Crystal
I’ve seen several members choose to manifest with crystals because they’re such a natural tool to work with your energy and vibrations.
I’ve covered the actual process of manifestation in that guide but if you simply want to use a crystal while setting your intention then I would either hold it in your hand while meditating or keep it cleansed and in your space while you’re physically writing your intention down.
You could perform a short visualization ritual and envision your intention flowing into the crystal itself after you’ve written it down.