Most of us use goals and goal-setting to help us complete tasks, develop and learn new habits and learn new skills for life and business. We also use it as a measure of success.
While goal setting can help motivate you, it can also bring about feelings of being unsuccessful and an overall sense of not being good enough. Being goal-focused can create a winning-losing type of mindset. If you don’t achieve a goal you set or view your setbacks as failing, you may think: “why even bother? What’s the point in continuing when I have already failed.”
Often with goal-setting, we choose things we THINK we should be achieving. We base our goals on what we see on social media what others around us are doing or wanting. Remember, success in life and business looks different to each person. Setting goals that mean nothing to you will almost guarantee you don’t reach them because they hold no passion and your authentic desires in life.
On the other hand, intentions guide who you want to be, how you want to act, live and show up in this world. Setting intentions is stating what you intend to accomplish through the actions you take. It’s a commitment to the journey, not just the final destination.
When you set an intention, your focus is on the present moment. Who you are, what you do and why you do it. An intention requires you to be present and check-in with yourself along the journey. Intention shifts the focus away from your accomplishments and the outcome of your goals and turns the direction toward your behaviour and the way you choose to live each day. If you live in alignment with your intention, you will become the person you want to become.
Here are three differences between goals and intentions:
- Goals focus on the future – intentions focus on the present
- Goals are destination or achievement specific – intentions are lived each day
- Goals are generally external – intentions are about your relationship with yourself and others
Neither one is better than the other. However, I believe goal-setting and intention-setting both have a lot of importance. And the best part – they work hand in hand. So, if you pair the two together, with intention first, you get to enjoy the journey AND the destination!
Remind yourself of your intentions each day, and review your goals each week! When you start your day with your intention, it will help to keep you focused and on track. Your intention gives you purpose and fills you with the inspiration, motivation, and energy to align your actions with it.
Combining intention setting and goal-setting is the magic combination in achieving what you desire from life!
