New month, new intentions! The start of a new month is always a great opportunity for a fresh start. This is especially true for September, which signals the end of summer and the beginning of my favorite season-fall.

If you’re looking for a way to reset and refocus your goals for the month ahead, setting intentions is a great way to do so. But what exactly is intention setting, and how can you go about doing it?

Read on to find out and you can also check out this week’s video here where I’m sharing I’m sharing my monthly review process and how I set goals, create an action list, and map out a plan for the month ahead.

What is Intention Setting?

Intention setting is the practice of choosing one or more specific goals that you would like to achieve and then taking concrete action steps to make them happen. It’s important to be as specific as possible when setting intentions; rather than simply saying you want to “be happier,” try something like “I will meditate for 10 minutes every day” or “I will spend time outside in nature two days every week this month.” If you love fall this one is for you “I will take a trip to the pumpkin patch with my family on the weekend.”

Tools to Set Your Intentions

There’s no one right way to set intentions; it’s really whatever works best for you. As a business owner, I’ve used a few methods and tools to help make setting intentions or goals more effective.

The tool I rely on every single month is my Powersheets Goal Planner. This has been a great tool to guide the monthly review process that I share here.

Another method you may have already heard of is the S.M.A.R.T. approach.

S: Specific – What exactly do you want to accomplish? Be as specific as possible.

M: Measurable – How will you know if you’ve achieved your goal? What system or metrics can you use to track your progress?

A: Achievable – Is your goal realistic, given your current season of life?

R: Relevant – Always start with your why, and specifically knowing why a goal important is to you will help you achieve it. What is your why? How will this intention help you achieve your big-picture vision?

T: Time-bound – When do you want to achieve this goal? Giving yourself a date to accomplish your goal will you accountable and on track.

Once you’ve selected your intention(s), it’s time to put them into action! Consider the exact steps you need to take in order to make your intentions a reality, and then make a plan for how and when you’ll take those steps. I love using a wall-post it notes so that I see the action steps I need to take and deadlines.

If you have a goal or set an intention to eat healthier, your plan may involve meal prepping every Sunday evening or packing a healthy lunch every day before work. The key is to choose what aligns with this season of life for you. Psst…If you want to try HelloFresh, click here to use my special referral code.

(Note: Yes, that is an affiliate link. If you decide to sign up for HelloFresh using my link, I’ll receive a small commission. Thanks for your support!)

Keep your focus

Setting intentions is a great way to focus and set your goals for the month ahead. Remember to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound when choosing your intention(s), and then take concrete steps towards making them happen. Be patient, stay focused on moving forward one step at a time, and don’t forget to celebrate your wins (big and small) along the way.

Want to learn more? Check out this week’s video where I’m sharing I’m sharing my monthly review process and how I set goals, create an action list, and map out a plan for the month ahead.