Setting your intention is different than telling yourself what you “should” be doing or want to do. When you set your intention you state your highest desire and activate your goals. Setting your intention is active, not passive.
When you state your intention you put your desires out into the universe so that the various energies can line up to help your intentions come true. Your intentions are best be manifested when they are in alignment with your values.
Your intention is a call to attract to yourself what you desire. It can be in the physical plane (a friend just manifested a home), or an internal objective (another client just achieved forgiveness towards a late partner).
Begin by being thankful for the things you already have in your life before setting your new intention. Create whatever kind of ritual that will be meaningful to you. My way of setting intention is to begin by calling on my angels and guides, but that may not work for you.
Be pretty specific about what you want. Maybe you want to manifest a new job. Rather than name the title and company you want to work for, perhaps calling in the perfect job for you that pays you well and is work you enjoy with compatible co-workers in a convenient location.
Re-state your intention (it can be a shortened version) in the days and weeks that follow. Notice what you are doing to support your intention. For example, you might write a note to remind yourself of the intention and place copies of your intention where you will be reminded of what you are calling into your life.
Give the universe time to create the circumstances for the intention to come true.