Intentions work—even when forgotten

I was reminded of a powerful habit that I want everyone to know about.

Today we had the closing day of my Rise mastermind. We started exactly a year ago. To the day, which is remarkable.

At the beginning of our Mastermind—as I do at the start of all my programs—I had asked the participants to set intentions for our year together.

What is an intention?

What do I mean by intention?

To me setting an intention means taking a moment to think about what you’re trying to accomplish. What you would like to have happen?

Then I always set an inner intention for that as well: how do I want to FEEL as I am in this process?

My intentions for this Mastermind were to create a safe space with room for personal development in all its facets. To support what life brings forward, offer inspiration for growth and new perspectives with personal (intuitive) insights and practical and energetic support for the participants.

My inner intention was to feel safe, relaxed, inspiring, giving energy, joyful, warm & connected and satisfaction. As you can see, it doesn’t need to be full sentences.

Their intentions varied from deepening relationships and becoming a better leader to finding a new home or getting clear on their calling.

The power of intentions

As we were reflecting on the year, what struck me was that all participants said that when I had them look at the intentions that they had set when we began, they admitted they had forgotten some intentions. That they hadn’t been conscious about putting those into action, or at least not all the time.

Looking back on the past year they realized that they had still been making progress on that goal or new habit. That even though they weren’t always deliberately choosing their actions to be aligned with those intentions, that somehow it was part of the current underneath their actions.

Writing their intention down (which you probably know holds more power than typing) and sharing it with others creates its own magic. It’s like they had put the energy in motion and the goal had gotten a push in the right direction and kept moving forward on that undercurrent.

I think it’s partially that the brain has heard the instruction and goes to work on that as well as keeping you (unconsciously) focused and connected to that intention.

I thought it was remarkable that each of them had made progress on their goals even when sometimes they had forgotten that they had even set those specific goals.

What are your intentions?

I would love for you to put this into action. I recommend that you spend time setting intentions for the rest of the year. Because it helps focus your energy and attention. Even when you forget about them later. 😉

Take a moment to think about what you want to accomplish or have happen. You don’t need to know how you’ll get there, by the way. Feel free to aim high.

What do you want to accomplish? Whether it’s a business goal, a meeting, a change in your diet, how much you work out or any habit you want to change. It can be professional or deeply personal. Anything goes.

Whatever it is, get clear on the changes you want to make. And write them down.

Be sure to take a moment to consider how you would like to FEEL as you are making those changes.

I recommend you share those intentions or goals with someone close to you. And agree to reflect together six months or a year from now.

Setting both inner and outer intentions is powerful—as was again proven today reflecting on goals that were set a year ago. I truly hope you’ll try it out or use it more often.

So a short post today. But a practical one. And if you’re willing to share your goals or intentions with me, I’d genuinely love to hear what you’re putting in motion.

PS If you’d like support in bringing those intentions to life, my Life Transformation Mentoring might be right for you. Learn more here.

Iris van Ooyen guides people home to themselves. As a life transformation mentor with 20+ years of experience, she offers hope with a compass—helping you find your way back to who you truly are when life’s demands have made you lose touch with yourself. She’s the author of Radiant: How to Have All the Energy You Need to Live a Life You Love. When you feel life should be more than this, contact Iris to come home to yourself—and love your life again. 

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