Setting an intention for your meditation is a key point in the meditation process and in your general day-to-day life. Your intention is a short-term goal for your mindset or the focus of your meditation, it should be simple. For example, an intention that I will set before meditating is ‘I intend to quiet my mind’ or ‘I intend to release stress' or 'I intend to cleanse my energetic and emotional body.’
Setting an intention is important because it allows your brain to relax more into meditation. When you say to yourself, "I intend to unplug from my day," you subconsciously become more willing to (at least momentarily) forget your to-do list, stop planning for tomorrow, release anger from a mishap that you experienced, and more. You are taking control and saying, today body, at least for now, we are relaxing, not rushing, just breathing.
When you set an intention, you put your focus where you want it. If you intend to have a good day, you will look for the good. Bumps in the road will be a divine redirection, not unfortunate missteps. Missing a green light will mean more time in the car to jam to music, not an aggravating bummer that keeps you from your destination. It reframes your mind to be in a state of gratitude, as you focus on more of what you want and less of what you don't.
The art of the intention will grow on you, and you can apply it to all aspects of your daily life. Set an intention before a business call or zoom. Set an intention to have a good workout. The opportunities are endless, and the benefits include less stress, less resistance to hiccups in your day, more joy, and much more.
If you want to read more about intentions, check out this article by Deepak Chopra, 5 Steps to Setting Powerful Intentions. Read it here: https://chopra.com/articles/5-steps-to-setting-powerful-intentions