How The Power of Intention Can Disarm Toxic People

Control Begins with Intention

There’s a moment - soft but seismic - when you decide that the chaos around you no longer gets to dictate the rhythm within you. The gaslighting, the praise laced with poison, the draining confusion - they begin to fade when you anchor into something stronger:

intention. Inspired by Lynne McTaggart’s powerful research, this article explores how you can use intention not just as a practice, but as a shield, a compass, and a path out of the toxic fog.

What Is the Power of Intention, Really?

Lynne McTaggart’s The Intention Experiment reveals what ancient traditions and modern science are starting to agree on - our focused thoughts and emotions have tangible effects, both within our bodies and in the environment around us.

But this isn't about manifesting a perfect life with a vision board.This is about survival and sovereignty.

In a toxic environment - especially under the influence of manipulative personalities (what Dr. Clive Boddy refers to as corporate psychopaths) - our sense of control gets slowly dismantled. Intention helps you rebuild that control from the inside out.

Toxic people operate through psychological control - they thrive when you’re unsure of yourself, reactive, and seeking their approval. But intention breaks that cycle. It moves you from reactive to responsive. From surviving to consciously leading your day.

3 Daily Ways to Use Intention to Take Back Control

1. Begin Each Morning with Grounded Focus

Before the world rushes in, give yourself 5 quiet minutes. Ask yourself:

“How do I want to feel today?” Choose one word. Protected. Calm. Confident. Resilient. Feel it. Say it. Write it down. This anchors your nervous system and tells your subconscious: we’re not here to perform for others. We’re here to be rooted in who we are.

Visual Suggestion: Image of a person with hand on heart, soft morning light, gratitude, journaling or meditating. A ten minute guided meditation might be that magic happy pill.

2. Set Mental Boundaries Intentionally

Intentions are boundaries in action. They’re internal contracts with yourself. For example:

• “I intend to observe, not absorb.”

• “I intend to protect my energy in meetings by listening more than explaining.”

• “I intend to walk away from bait, not bite.”

  
  

These quiet scripts give your brain direction and reduce your emotional load - something Daniel Goleman identifies as key to emotional resilience.

Visual Suggestion: A quote card with “I intend to observe, not absorb” - clean, calming design.

3. Neutralize the Narcissist's Influence

When you’re dealing with manipulation, don’t try to argue. Don’t try to prove your worth. That’s fuel to them.Instead, go inward.

“I intend to be unmoved by manipulation.” “I choose to stand in my truth, not their version of it.”

Lynne McTaggart’s findings support that collective intention can shift measurable outcomes. But even on your own, your intention is powerful enough to neutralize their psychological games.

They can’t reach what they can’t rattle.

Why This Works: The Research Behind It

Lynne McTaggart’s experiments have shown that small groups focusing on positive intention can affect water molecules, plant growth, and even violence rates in communities. And when that kind of impact is possible externally - imagine what’s possible internally.

Combined with emotional self-regulation (Goleman) and understanding the mind-games at play (Babiak & Hare), you begin to see intention not as spiritual fluff - but as a psychological boundary and resilience practice.

Live Intentionally, Not Reactively

Toxic people will try to own your story - your emotions, your reputation, even your sense of self. But when you start living from a place of chosen energy, they can no longer write your narrative.

And the beauty is: They don’t need to change for you to thrive. You just need to choose differently - quietly, daily, intentionally.

So let today be the day you say:

“I am no longer emotionally available for manipulation.” “I lead my life with conscious intention.”

You don’t have to fight for peace. You become it.

🌿 Want more grounded tools to protect your energy and outsmart toxic environments? Book a call.