Intentions are the foundations for everything we do. From what you gift a friend for their birthday to your career path, all our life outcomes begin with an intention. Some we stick with and some we change, but how can you set meaningful, productive intentions? Today we share five steps to setting powerful intentions from Deepak Chopra. 

1. Slip into the gap: Beyond our thoughts, distractions, and emotions is what Chopra calls “the gap”. This space of clear consciousness and reflection helps us clarify what our true desires are and allows us to form intentions around them. One of the easiest ways to access this headspace is to meditate or practice yoga for increased mindfulness. 
2. Release your intentions and desires: When you’re feeling mindful, perhaps after a meditation session, think critically about your intentions, then let them go for a couple of days. If a specific intention keeps returning to you, it is worth pursuing. 
3. Remain centered in restful awareness: Intentions are more powerful when they come from a place of awareness, rather than just need or greed. Be careful that you are not letting the criticisms of others overly influence your goals. 
4. Detach from the outcome: Outcomes are beneficial when they come in the form of goals, but if you are reaching for an intention for a specific outcome rather than overall growth, you may be setting the intention for the wrong reasons. 
5. Be open to fluctuations: Once we set powerful and specific intentions, it can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned. Remain grounded in your intentions, but be open to the possibility of unexpected opportunities and forks in the road. 

Whether you want to run a marathon, read more, land your dream job, or travel, setting clear intentions for the right reasons is one of the most effective paths to success. Once you set your powerful intention, hold yourself accountable by writing it down, speaking it aloud to a friend, or actively reflecting on steps you’ve taken to achieve it each day.