What are intentions?

Intentions are statements which tell the universe, and importantly yourself, what you desire. Not what is wrong, or what you don’t want, or can’t do. Set aside the complaints. Who needs more of what doesn’t work? What you focus on tends to grow.

Without clear intentions, you may react in the moment to the whim and fancy of others. Or you may act in ways that aren’t consciously chosen and are not as favorable as they could be. You may regret your behaviors. It’s better to think first, and then act.

Focus your energy on what you want. Formulate your intention in the positive, in the here and now, as if it has happened. And be grateful.

For instance:

“I am in the right place and time in my life now. What a relief I am brave enough to follow my dreams. I am embracing my true self. Even if times are tough, I’m moving ahead anyway. People may question my decisions, including me, but I am successful and learning as I go.”

Feel what it is like to already have this in your life. Relieved. Joyous. Curious. Satisfied.

It’s all about YOU!

Your intentions belong to you, not others. When you are living a better life, one that suits you, you have more to share with the world from a place of vitality and abundance. If you tend to take care of others while sacrificing yourself, maybe it’s time to create a new way. They have their codes and ways of being, and you have your own. Respectfully stay out of other people’s business. When you keep a clean boundary between you and other people, everyone benefits. It may feel selfish at first, but new habits can grow on you.

Intention alone isn’t enough

And yet, it’s not so simple. Unfortunately, intention doesn’t always lead to material changes in behavior. Researchers refer to this as an intention-behavior gap. People start out motivated but may not succeed in the end. One study by Mark Faries found that only 30% to 40% of health behaviors were predicted by intentions. There are a variety of reasons for the disconnect, such as competing habits or priorities, inconsistent follow through, or lack of clear strategies. One way to up the odds is to secure a foundation for your goals. Let’s see how this works.

What is your “Why”?

This step takes some practice. However, in most cases, the outcome is worth some extra investment of effort and time. It involves being aware of the reason your intention is important to you.

Are you dreaming a new dream? Intentions can be a powerful force in creating new realities and experiences. You can enhance the dream’s power when combined with conscious effort and a willingness to adapt. You’ll be growing, facing uncharted waters, and taking risks. This can feel exciting, and even overwhelming at times.

Knowing your why may head off the risk of losing direction or motivation when things get tough. And it may reduce confusion about your actions. Are you facing difficulties? Go back to your why. It can reset your path. When plans go awry, you can set a new course based on changing circumstances, while keeping aligned with your stated purpose.

What does that look like? Let’s consider the example above, about being in the right time and place, while taking risks and being brave.

“Why change? It feels good to stay where I am, with the familiar. But I’m no longer satisfied with the status quo. I want to be happier in life and can’t do it when I’m sticking to a plan that doesn’t work for me. It’s scary to make changes, especially with tough times in the world. But I also value long term gains, like integrity and meeting my needs for health and wellbeing. I am now willing to take some risks that may be scary or unfamiliar because I know I’ll be a better me. It’s time for me to live my dreams. Other people may question my decisions, but I know above all I am being honest with myself. My true-blue friends and family will stand by my side. I need to stand up for me now.”

Combining intentions with energy practices

Most people don’t start off with such precisely stated clarity about their intentions, let alone knowing their why. Thankfully, energy practices can assist. When you align the energy systems of the body with the goals of the mind, you lift tension, become more balanced, and think more clearly. Even when things go haywire, you can more easily find your center and refocus. Energy practices also help to remove objections to change, both within the person, and from others.

Practical suggestions for creating intentions

Confused about what you want to accomplish? Try brainstorming ideas for the future, even if you think they are silly or unrealistic. If you have trouble coming up with ideas, and can only think of what is currently wrong, you may have an energetic reversal. It’s like being stuck in a backwards motion, despite your efforts to move ahead. No worries. Energy practices can help flip the switch so you are moving with yourself, not fighting against your wishes. You can read more about energetic reversals here, and how to address them.

You can also try tapping on meridians, using Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) or Thought Field Therapy (TFT), with such statements as, “Even though all I can imagine is what could go wrong, I can start fresh right now.”

You can learn about meridians here. And you can watch a video about how to tap here, from ACEP’s Resources for Resilience.

Once you get a sense of your goals, come up with a clear statement for your intention. The wording should be positive, in the here and now orientation, with gratitude like you have it already. Need help with this step? You can use the Healing Head Hold position on your neurovascular points, to increase blood flow for better mental focus. When you are grounded and centered, you’ll probably think more clearly and the right words can appear with less effort. You can say what you mean.

Even with the best of intentions you may hit a stumbling block. That is the nature of life. Energy practices offer solutions. You may be dealing with energy fields from other people, society, or ancestral influences. There are a host of practices based in understanding and altering consciousness. Give them a try to bring your higher purpose into reality. The spiritual realm, transpersonal communication, and esoteric domains are captured with innovative approaches like the Blue Diamond Method, Logosynthesis, and Be Set Free Fast, among others. They each have components of setting intentions with the power of the mind to create optimal process and outcome. Try one or more to supercharge your intentions.

Monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments to your plan to stay on course. You can rate changes you make with a Subjective Units of Progress scale. It may seem each day that you aren’t making progress, but if you track this over time, you may see trends that are encouraging. Or they may point to patterns that get in your way, like when you’re having a bad day, or you’re especially busy. This data can help you make adjustments to your practices you might not have caught otherwise.

Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, to reinforce positive change and build confidence. Breathe in good vibes with these videos with Donna Eden, Titanya Dahlin, and Dondi Dahlin (Donna’s daughters), connecting heaven and earth, radiant hearts, and third eye tap, using Eden Method energy practices.

Creating lasting change

Here’s a recap.

1.    Start off by taking time for yourself to investigate what you want in life, and why it is meaningful.

2.     Next, you can use tools to help you craft the best statement of purpose you can muster.

3.    Along the way, use energy practices to lift the fog of mental confusion and align your energies and mind for better momentum.

4.    Don’t forget to celebrate the joy of discovery for a new way of being.

You might even find yourself teaching others how to create lasting change, using positive intentions with energy practices.

Want to learn more?

Look up the EFT and TFT training catalogue with ACEP.  Boost your practice with energy psychology skills and community.

There is a vast selection of free videos on YouTube for your learning enjoyment.

The Blue Diamond instruction and demonstrations with founder Phil Mollon. He also has meditation music videos with Tamara Friebel using the Blue Diamond Healing.

Podcasts about Logosynthesis, and videos from Logosynthesis Day 2025, in many languages including English.  With founder Willem Lammers and others.

Be Set Free Fast videos from founder Larry Nims, of blessed memory.

We are fortunate to have many of the founders of these and other energy practice approaches offering workshops, classes, and opportunities to meet in person. Reach out or join their social media communities, and organizations. There is a wealth of enthusiasm and expertise just a click away.

Join ACEP and you can be part of the Circles platform, connecting with others in the community for support, education, and connections.

Blogs on related topics:

Turn Dream Resolutions into Reality with Self-Care and Energy Practices

How Energy Healing Works: Moving Between the Subtle and Physical Worlds

Using Energy Practices When Life is Like a Marathon

What to Say When You’re Tapping

Author

Lori Chortkoff Hops, PhD, DCEP is a licensed psychologist in Westlake Village, California, USA. She is certified in Comprehensive Energy Psychology and Logosynthesis. Lori is a past ACEP president and Reiki master. Learn more about Lori at www.drlorihops.com. Lori teaches online intuition classes and consultation. Check out her podcast Healing Tips from the Heart: Helpers, Healers and Guides.

Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma from Pixabay