Ah, intention setting is well known as MILD, so yes you are right that it works for some people. However its use is not universal and for some it fails horribly.

I would be an example of intention doing nothing at all; worked with the intention to become lucid for years, couldn't induce a single lucid dream for 8 years.
I would say, congratulations! You rediscovered MILD on your own and it seems to be working wonders for you!