Woo woo meets cool clear logic.

When I visited Findhorn, a community of spiritual folk in the north of Scotland, they had a lovely little ritual that began any group task. It involved, stopping, being quiet outside and in, holding hands and taking 20 seconds to reflect on the intention of the group effort and the qualities of how the work would unfold. Like planting the seed of right behaviour and underscoring the ideal outcome. Like praying. 

Setting intention.

It is said that once you decide to get a new car, suddenly you see the model you want everywhere, when right before the decision you would swear there were none on the road. Effectively you told your unconscious this car model is now very important, notice it. Are there more on the road? No. Are you more likely to find the one you want? Yes. Because you notice more of them or because you decided to buy?

Setting intention.

I have a set of Angel Cards. Each of these has a positive inner quality worth cultivating. The idea is to choose one and reflect on it for the day. Does leading the mind to notice this quality  then also attract more, a la 'The Secret'? Or is it that noticing makes a difference to the quantity of this quality that you are aware of and subjectively, enjoyably, the world seems so much more peaceful/abundant/wise? Suddenly you can see so many more ways to get more of this quality because you have given it priority?
Setting intention.

Many people who want big changes in their life set up what is sometimes called a vision board. Sometimes people write a statement, in present tense, of how they want their life to look in the future. There is daily meditating on these goals as if they were already happening. There are psychological reasons for doing this as our brains prioritise the now. Some call this priming. Others, calling out to the universe or deity of choice for assistance.
Setting intention.

Is it the focussing of the mind on the bigger task, the wanted qualities that keeps you on track? Is it a magnetic force which is activated by the act of setting intention? Is it both? You get what you notice. Does it matter how it works? Because it does work.