Use Intention Setting to Rewire Your Brain (with Real-Life Examples)
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“It’s time to get intentional”
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From the song, “It’s Time To Get Intentional” by Suzan Alakas
In this post we explore how setting an intention (even a simple one!) can rewire your brain and help you make more progress! 🧠
Plus we’ll offer some examples of intentions you can start setting today!
• Originally written: 31 March 2025
• Last updated: 31 March 2025
• Written by: Suzan Alakas
Suzan is Growtharmony’s Founder and Editor-In-Chief. She is passionate about spreading positive, solution-oriented media via songs and other formats - all in an effort to make the world a better place! When Suzan’s not writing, finding leverage points or learning something new, you can find her in the garden, playing in the snow with her family, or in the kitchen cooking up a nourishing meal!
You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Where attention goes, energy flows.”
Whether you're preparing for a client session, stepping onto a stage or just trying to get through a long to-do list(!), intention setting is a simple, but powerful practice you can implement get in alignment with the outcome you’re working towards.
Let’s take a closer look at intention setting through both scientific and the spiritual lenses. 😊
The Science Behind Intention 💡
When you set an intention, you activate your brain’s Reticular Activating System - a bundle of nerves at the base of your brainstem responsible for filtering what gets your attention.
Once you tell your brain what’s important (eg. “This is what I want to focus on”), it literally starts scanning for that input and filtering out the rest!
Cool right?! 🤩
(Plus, the more emotion behind your intention, the more powerfully your brain holds onto it!)
The Spiritual Side ✨
Esther Hicks suggest that the universe will give us more of what we focus on - via the law of attraction.
Thus, setting an intention helps align your inner world with the outer world.
Additionally, your energy brings presence, purpose, and your personal power into moment - whether you're doing something big (like launching a course) or small (like writing an email)! 😊
When (and How) to Set Intentions
There’s no “perfect” time to set an intention but here are some great moments to try it to see how it works for you:
First thing in the morning – sets your tone for the day ☀️
Before a focused task – primes your brain and clears distractions
Before a meeting, class, or event – helps ground you and your audience 🤗
It can literally take a few seconds and you can:
✅ Write it down
✅ Say it in your head or out loud
✅ Close your eyes and feel it in your body
Real-Life Examples (Across Industries!)
• Performer before going on stage
“I intend to express myself fully and connect with the audience.”
• Therapist or doula before a session
“My intention is to create a safe, peaceful space for healing.”
• Facilitator at the start of a workshop
“I invite in clarity, connection and transformation.”
• YouTuber before recording
“I’m here to speak authentically and uplift those who find this video.”
• Mompreneur starting work time
“I will focus deeply and make meaningful progress, even if it’s just one step.”
And remember, you can keep intentions private, or share them aloud with others - do what feels best for you! 💕
A Tiny Practice That Sparks Big Results ✨✨✨
Whether your goal is to increase your income, deepen your client relationships, or simply feel more at peace with how you spend your time, intention setting can help you shift from being reactive to showing up intentionally and consciously.
It's one of those mini-micro shifts that can lead to macro transformation! 💪
And it starts with just a single moment or a simple phrase.
What’s your intention for today? 😊
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