Setting deliberate intentions can significantly influence the direction of your day.

Taking a few moments every morning to consciously decide how you want to perceive the day can really shape your daily experience. When you set broad goals and focus on what you wish to achieve, it’s easier to notice opportunities that are in line with these objectives. Consider your intentions as a compass; they guide your brain to process incoming information in a way that is conducive to your goals.

Besides your daily tasks, try adding two or three specific, measurable, behavior-oriented goals that are in sync with your intentions. For example, if you want to practice patience, make it a goal to pause a moment before responding to emails. It's important that goals are stated positively and specifically, zeroing in on behaviors within your control and having a clear end point in mind. Positively framed goals feel more attainable. Bringing together similar tasks and scheduling priorities can also alleviate mental strain.

To strengthen your intentions throughout the day, you can apply three techniques: mental contrasting, priming, and mind's eye rehearsal. Mental contrasting means visualizing potential obstacles, helping you get motivated to overcome them. Priming is about subtly immersing yourself in cues related to your goals, making you more alert to chances to realize them. Seeing yourself achieving your goals through mind's eye rehearsal brings them closer to reality.

The crux of the matter is that although you can’t control every aspect of your life, a little preparation in the morning can substantially up the odds of your day being great. By actively setting your filters and priorities, pinpointing specific and beneficial goals, and using effective reinforcement methods, your day is likely to unfold as you wish. Tweaking your mental routines slightly can foster an environment allowing you to excel at work.