There is a lot going on in personal development communities about the ways various tools will set you up for success, and help you live your most authentic life. If you haven’t heard of microdosing with psilocybin, get ready to be amazed. For this tool, working with intentions is important to get the most out of your process. We share 10 ways in which it will help you on the path to unlock your full potential and live a more abundant life.
“You create your thoughts, your thoughts create your intentions, and your intentions create your reality.” – Quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer
Is there a difference between setting an intention vs having a goal?
The answer is: YES. A goal is the desired outcome you wish to attain further into the future. An intention is a chosen theme that allows you to create alignment in your life, they are more involved than passively thinking about a goal—they breathe life into your goals. Goal setting begins with questions about what you want to achieve ‘tomorrow’. It needs us to think about the future and identify what it is we want to achieve or where we want to go. And from there create an action plan to get us there.
Think of the desire to be able to play an instrument, start your own business or complete a triathlon. In order to achieve these things, you’ll need to have a plan how to accomplish them. Which would mean taking guitar lessons, work on business plans or create a schedule for your training. Goal setting is an outward-driven approach.
An intention is focused on the present moment of your life. It depends on how you feel right now. Intentions will come up naturally when you start contemplating these questions:
- What’s going well for me in my life?
- What are the areas in my life I can progress in?
- Who am I becoming?
Intention setting has an inward-driven approach, it evolves around what do you want your purpose to be in the upcoming time.
So, if goals are pointed in a future direction, intentions are rooted in your ‘today’ and who you are actively becoming. Goals are about our destination, they are focused on results and they need an outcome. Intentions are about our direction and have no outcome attached to them. They just give you a purpose you want to commit to in order to align yourself with—coming from the heart.
Yoga is a perfect example of the purpose of setting intentions. Before a class starts, most teachers ask their students to take a moment and think about what they would like to get out of their practice today. You could think; let’s have a good sweat and work on my side plank pose!
Nothing wrong with this, you’ll probably enjoy the class and reach your goal – but it does not bring more alignment in your life.
Ask yourself what makes you benefit most in your daily life? Direction with the ability to feel what we need, right? And adjusting our intentions for the present moment. We want microdosing to give us direction, so we can grow and work on achieving our goals.
Examples of intentions might include:
- I will forgive others and myself
- I will will bring balance and space into my schedule
- I will create time for people and passions that nurture my soul
- I will practice patience
- I will let go of fear
- I will embrace change
- I will look for opportunities for spiritual growth
- I will focus on relationships that bring me inner peace
- I will allow myself to be vulnerable
- I will love others unconditionally
- I will to be open to success and abundance
What do I need to set an intention for my microdosing journey?
Let’s dive into that topic. The answer is: ask yourself the right questions and see what comes up. This can help you discover what resonates the most with you and what you need at this moment.
- What do I want to get out of this process?
- What matters most to me?
- Why is this important for me?
- Which behavioral pattern(s) would I like to change?
- What areas do I want to grow in?
- What thoughts am I holding onto that no longer serve me?
- When do I feel the happiest?
- What are the words I would like to align myself with?
- What things am I grateful for?
- How do I align with my goals?
- What do I need to change, think, learn or feel to be able to do so?
Try to avoid the word ‘not’ when setting intentions. Rather say ‘I feel balanced’ instead of ‘I don’t want others to disturb my balance’. Repeat your intention, write it down and feel it in your body. Believe that it is true, that you will succeed and trust the universe to work for you. If you find it difficult to check in with yourself and feel what you need, just choose the intention ‘Give me what I need today’.
Now that you've set your intention, 10 reasons why this practice will help you reaching your goals:
Intention setting is an important ritual that will help you feel more connected to the purpose you start microdosing for. If you have a purpose and feel more connected to it, you will be more likely to achieve what you are hoping to accomplish—whatever that may be.
It also increases the probability that you start to notice if you find relief from specific symptoms you are trying to alleviate. It’s a form of manifestation; setting an intention and dedicate yourself to look for ways to align yourself with it, will help you manifest it. Positive intent has power, and the optimism of this practice puts you in the mode for success.
1. You live more in the present
Setting intentions are essentially allowing you to live in the present and focus on what is happening right now. And on what you need in this phase. Did you know that even MMA fighters are using psilocybin combined with intentions to be more focused and creative in their sport? [1]
It also protects their brain from damage and helps with healing. Not really strange if you think about it—keeping a healthy brain, being present and fully focused is quite essential when you risk a punch every moment.
[1] MMA fighters and psilocybin (read the article through this link)
Obviously, having long-term goals is always very valuable. But when you break them down into smaller intentions, it helps you create more manageable parts to help you reach them – a great recipe for success! And can you imagine it’s far more rewarding to celebrate all these little ‘victories’ along the way?
2. You become a more positive person
Well formulated intentions are composed of motivational words that make you feel good, so choose words that create a positive vibration for you.
For example, “My intention is to allow myself to embrace new challenges” will be more effective than saying, “My intention is not to resist changing circumstances.”
Try to stay away from too much thinking in your head, but instead try to feel it. Keep it positive, encouraging and in present-tense.
3. You become more in tune with yourself
Your intention is your map. It will help you navigate to where you want to go. Not understanding where you are going, will make it much more challenging to arrive at your desired destination. And will definitely take more time.
Please bear in mind:
An intention is no instant route, like a map provides. It has to be something you really believe in and want for yourself.
The process of setting an intention is undoubtedly your own inside job. So, wipe the dust off that internal compass, discover your true north, orientate yourself and focus on what your true intentions are.
4. You create more balance and awareness
Intentions come from within, and they are much more powerful when they come from a place of positivity or contentment, rather than a sense of criticism or necessity. If an intention is completely yours and comes from within, it will much better tune you into what you need.
Stay balanced and do not let the limiting opinions or scepticism of others influence you. Your heart knows it will be alright, even if you don’t know exactly how or when.
Meditation can be a good tool to further cultivate this awareness and self-confidence.
5. You become the facilitator of your own shyft
Focusing on the same intention for too long, can make our mind insensitive for it. This does not mean the intention itself is not good anymore though, so if it’s a theme you need to continue working on, the best way to move forward is to adjust you intention so you can proceed with your transformation.
If your intention is to “become more patient” it could be adjusted a few days later to “release mental triggers that stand in the way of me becoming more patient”.
Each day, take a moment to set your intention for microdosing. A lot of people have a journal in which they write down their thoughts, feelings and observations – use it to record you intention as well. It will resonate more when written down.
6. You will be more likely to contribute
Most of us view the world around us and experience at least a certain degree of discomfort or concern. Whether it is an issue in their personal circumstances or one that is global in scope, it’s likely that something is pushing your buttons. Or you may have experienced the frustrating feeling that you are powerless to help.
An intention can make a difference.
When you set one, your mind will be more open to opportunities where you can contribute in a meaningful way. You can shyft your perspective on the impact of the seemingly smallest actions. Just the fact of saying to yourself that you choose to be a game-changer is an extremely strong and positive motivation.
7.You will feel more gratitude
Do you recognize the situation where you are so fully involved in a task that you stop noticing the little special things happening on around you?
It happens.
These little wonders can be great sources of gratitude, transformative elements for your wellbeing. Setting an intention can help remind you not to get so lost and focused on your work that you forget to appreciate the things that you are actually trying to enjoy by working so hard in the first place!
8. You will improve your effectiveness
Focusing on your intention will help you increase your effectiveness.
For example, you can set an intention to be more patient, but it will be more powerful if you stretch the scope of that original intention. What thinking will open up your mind to actually increase your level of patience?
A tip is to expand your intention to something like this:
“I intend to attract clarity, serenity and empathy towards others to consistently guide me through daily life with a calm mind.”
Who just wants to be patient after reading that?! Try to feel deep within and you will set the intention that is right for you.
9. You will feel empowered
Do you ever catch yourself telling lies? Not to someone else, but…to yourself? How often do you think you’re not good enough, smart enough, attractive enough, social enough, educated enough or talented enough?
Be careful – negative, self-deprecating thoughts or words can stand between you and the desires that you have.
Setting positive intentions can be a great way to exchange negative, pessimistic thoughts for an inspirational growth mindset and become empowered to be you and do you. Disconnect from the outcome. Outcomes are based on insecurities and limit you, while intentions are limitless and enable you to live more in the present while cultivating your confidence.
10. You will experience less stress
By having clear intentions for yourself, you will be able to feel more and think less. And by doing so, you are getting yourself out of your head. This reduces stress and will contribute to having a different perspective on the limitations that have been put on you – by yourself and others.
The exchange?
All of this for a focus on something that will have a positive impact on your life. When you feel and set the right intentions for yourself, it puts the capacity and ability to change in your hands. And the universe will handle with the difficulties along the way – you can trust on that.
