The power of intention is that you can use the principles of quantum physics to manifest the life you want to live. The process involves putting into writing statements about what you want to create. Also known as objectives, intentions have a certain form that makes them most powerful and there is a process for articulating them. All matter vibrates at a certain frequency and intentions utilize that resonance to create attraction.
Writing Intentions
Step 1. I want
An intention should begin with the words “I want” because that language is a very clear claiming of that which you want to call forth. Many of us have been taught not to use those words because it sounds “selfish” or “demanding” but in reality those words are pure and express a clear desire and resonance.
Step 2. The Request
Next, the intention should state the end result of what you want to manifest. This is not a time to be wishy-washy — clarity is important! For me, I found this part challenging at first because I was not used to asking for what I wanted so I did a lot of sidestepping. I also had to learn to really think about the final outcome, and not one of the steps on its way.
For example, when I was single, I might write, “I want a boyfriend.” But that’s not really the final outcome is it? What I really wanted was to be in a committed, romantic, relationship with a wonderful person. I have dated plenty of people who were not able or willing to create the type of relationship I wanted.
Another example is about money. A lot of people have an objective to earn more money but is that really the final outcome? Isn’t the outcome some version of having abundant resources to do the things you want to do? A salary is one channel but there are many ways resources can come to you, and some of which you don’t have to work to earn. If you wanted to travel, one way to do that would be through money but another way might be receiving the gift of use of a friend’s vacation home, or an unexpected work opportunity where your travel goals can be added on to the expenses the company is paying for.
Thinking of the outcome can help you expand the potential opportunities for receiving it. Only our minds get limited in conceiving possibilities, but the universe has many creative ways for bringing you what you desire.
Step 3. The Ultimate Desire
The intention should end with the phrase “so that I feel/have/be/do…” in order to articulate what you really want to accomplish. This is different from the request, which is the physical form of what you want. The ultimate desire is what that request will give you.
This section of the intention writing always makes me pause and gain some clarity about what is at the heart of my intention. What is it that you are ultimately trying to achieve? Usually it is a feeling like love, or happiness, or serenity. As I work through this part, I sometimes rework Step 2 because there are often many physical forms that could work.
The written format for an intention or objective is:
I want _______________ so that I feel/have/be/do ____________________.
Examples
Here are some examples of unclear objectives and then powerful versions. Note that things need to be phrased in the positive:
|
OK |
Powerful |
| I want to have a boyfriend this year so that I feel happy. | I want to create a long-term loving relationship with my soulmate this year so that I feel love, happiness, and connection. |
| I want to lose weight so that I feel good about myself. | I want to weigh 130 pounds (~ size 10) so that I feel healthy, confident, and sexy. |
| I want to make money so that I can make ends meet. | I want to receive financial abundance that supports paying my bills on time and a trip to Bali for 2 weeks so that I have a travel experience that is fun and relaxing. |
| I want to improve my relationship with my mother so that I feel less annoyed. | I want to heal my relationship with my mother so that I feel grounded and empowered when she criticizes me. |
Besides having intentions for your personal life, you can also have some for your community, state, country and the world.
Step 4. The Heart Check
When an intention is right, it feels powerful. It’s a resounding “YES! That’s what I want!” So read over your intentions and keep tinkering with them until they feel absolutely right on. It’s important to focus on the feelings because that creates a certain tone or resonance for your intention, and that helps magnetize the forces of the universe (the quantum physics part) to move it into reality.
Repeat as needed. Every year, I set 10-20 every intentions – there is no limit to how many you can have. I often look at the areas of the Wheel of Wellbeing for guidance so that I know that I am holistic in my intentions.
Manifesting
By writing down your intentions, you have already started the process. Matter is already reconfiguring itself bring them into reality. But there are things you can do to help. First, keep your attention on them. I write my intentions on the first pages of my new journal and sometimes, I even print them out and post them in different places in my surroundings. Looking at them often keeps refreshing the energy. You can also increase the resonance of an intention by praying on it, asking others to hold that intention for you, or saying daily affirmations about it.
It’s important to stay grounded in your belief that you can manifest. Once they are written, I know that the universe is working on them so I simply have to pay attention to any clues the universe sends me. I will also use my tools (like the ones in this Wellness Toolbox) to keep energy moving in each of them.
The Power of 3
The universe will support your intentions and will send you clues about things you need to do. But sometimes it’s hard to listen to this inner wisdom over the noise of our busy lives. That is when the Power of 3 is really helpful. When something shows up in my life more than once, I pay attention, and when it shows up a third time, I know I must take action. It can be simple things like having a thought to call a certain friend or hearing about a book from two different people.
You may even get a clue from the universe – like you are driving and keep seeing billboards or hearing radio songs that are tied to something you are working on. By the time it comes up the third time, you can bet that something is really important and you should act on it. Be open – the whole universe is conspiring to help you succeed and the Power of 3 is one of its biggest tools.
For example, I may receive an invitation to a party. If I’m not sure if I should go, I’ll see if I get another clue, like a friend telling me about the same party. I use the Power of 3 (and sometimes 2) to know when to take action. I may not know why I am supposed to be at that party but I am confident that it’s somehow tied to one of my intentions.