Writing Intentions: A Mini-Guide

That feeling when you go into a new month without a plan or any intentions…

How many times have you started something new without a plan or roadmap? Maybe you want to finally go back to school or read more. Maybe you want to move your body more during the week or start a new hobby.

Regardless of what we want to do next, our desires and dreams are stagnant without a plan or roadmap to guide the way.

That’s where intentions come in.

Intentions can help us channel our energy so that we can finally achieve the goals we have in our heads. Intentions help us get clear on our priorities, overcome obstacles, and stay motivated as we work towards our goals.

But what are intentions?

Simply put, intentions are like themes, sort of similar to the ones we use to have in English/Writing classes.

Intentions guide us toward a destination. But without a map and details steps to get there, you can get lost along the way. So here’s how we can write effective intentions.

Step 1: Set Your Goals

When is the last time you wrote down your goals?

You have to identify your goals before you can write intentions. Whether you last wrote goals on May 1, 2023 or January 1, 2023, take some time to revisit the goals you wrote (or write down new goals). Take a moment to ask yourself, “What do I want to achieve?” Has this changed since you last set your goals? Are your goals specific and realistic? Will your goals push you to make a change in your life? (As Mahdi Woodard put it, ‘There’s nothing admirable about writing down and checking goals you know can hit. If pursuing your goals doesn’t force you to grow into a new person, congratulations - you made a to-do list.)

For purposes of this post, let’s say that my goal is to save $2,000 for vacation in two months. The goal is specific because I have a target amount and a timeframe to achieve the goal. It’s not unrealistic but the goal will require me to make some financial decisions over the next few months.

Step 2: Clarify Your Values

What are your values?

Values are an important part of setting your goals because values help you identify what’s truly important. So what’s important to you? Maybe it’s quiet time, family, religion, friends, work, achievement, money, or something else. Regardless identify your values and keep them in mind as you choose your goals and intentions.

Let’s continue with our example of saving $2,000 in two months for vacation. Maybe your goals are family and quiet time (like me)! To achieve the saving goal, you might decide to cut back on things that are not important to you, like Happy Hour drinks and pointless Amazon purchases.

Step 3: Write Your Intentions

Let’s get to writing.

Now that we’ve identified our goals and values, the next step is to choose intentions. When I first started writing intentions, I used to use “I” statements. So for example, I will save $2,000 in two months by not attending Happy Hour every week and making coffee at home. Everyone writes intentions in different ways. (See this article that encourages readers to use statements like, “Today I will…” to write intentions.) The form or method you use is less important than the words you use and the meaning behind those words.

Step 4: Check-In

Finally, take some time to think about how often you want to check in with your intentions. Will you do a daily check-in? What does the check-in entail? Will you write down your intentions, repeat them 3x, or do something else?

That’s where the next section comes in…

Use Your Planner

We can use our planners for more than just a daily to-do list or meeting reminders. Grab a sticky note and write down your intentions. Put them in a place where you can see them at least daily and get a little reminder of your current goals and dreams.

Honestly, if you aren’t writing intentions, you’re missing out on a powerful tool that could empower you as you work toward your dreams and goals. I’ve used intentions to help me get my finances together, make progress with my emotional healing journey (although there’s still work to do), and start a business. If you haven’t tried writing intentions yet, grab a notebook and write a few today.

What are some of your current intentions? Add them in the comment box below!