What is this? I’ve been experimenting with a way of setting my mind and sharpening my focus by consciously choosing an intention for the present moment. The idea is inspired by yoga and Buddhism. In yoga, this is called Sankalpa. In Buddhism, intention is central to the path and is known as cetana. My intentions are similar to affirmations, but they are action-oriented. They are not abstract positive statements. They are behavioral directions.   Examples: Take more risks. Allow yourself to be lazy. Take initiative. Have fun. Absorb what naturally resonates with you.   Throughout the day, I pause and ask a question I learned from Jack Kornfield: What is my highest intention for this moment?   I wait for what genuinely resonates instead of forcing an answer. When the right intention appears, I repeat it out loud 20 times. Repeating it only a few times doesn’t go deep enough. Around 20 repetitions, something shifts. It settles. It feels embodied. It starts to influence my behavior almost automatically. When I find the intention that fits the moment, I feel aligned. It’s as if my life suddenly has a thesis statement. If it doesn’t fit, I don’t force it. I try another one and repeat it until I find the one that matches the situation precisely. Every moment asks for something different. I don’t fixate on one identity or trait. I adjust in real time.   How it works for me As soon as the adequate intention appears, there is clarity. The mind organizes itself around it. My actions feel coherent instead of scattered. Doing this throughout the day has helped me feel more focused, less diffuse, and more intentional in how I act.   Who this might be useful for This might be especially helpful for people who grew up without clear direction, structure, or modeling. For those who felt unfocused, scattered, or unsure how to orient themselves internally. It creates a kind of inner compass. Instead of waiting for external structure, you generate direction from within, moment by moment.   Possible risks One concern I have is becoming overly obsessive about it. I don’t want to feel like I can’t act unless I’ve repeated something 20 times. So part of this is an experiment. I’m watching whether it remains supportive or starts to feel rigid. The method should serve clarity, not control.       I’m curious what you guys think about this approach. Does it resonate with you? Do you see benefits or blind spots? If anyone experiments with it, I’d be interested in hearing what you notice. Feel free to DM me. Id love to have an intention partner hehe