I do not practice yoga regularly, but when I do practice, my teacher begins by encouraging us to set an intention for that day’s practice. The idea is to set a sort of guiding thought or principle for your actions. In yoga, your attention might be to practice kindness or let go of perfectionism or perhaps to simply send love to others. Setting an intention is a way to align your heart, your mind, and hopefully your actions.

Writers can also benefit from setting intentions. So often we sit down at our desks, stringing together words and pages, but how often do you consider whether you are working in a way that aligns with your values?

An intention isn’t a goal. It isn't attached to a particular expectation—an intention is the exact opposite. It’s a higher purpose for your work—an aim, if you will, and the process is particularly valuable during the book-writing process.

Here are some ideas to help you get started forming an intention for your book:

What do you want from your book?
Who is your audience?
What about your book makes you proud?
How does your writing make you happy?
What are your fears, and how can you let them go?
What about the book is most important to you?

The next time you sit down to work, take a moment and set an intention. When you’re feeling scattered, bring this to mind to connect to your project—and your larger self.