Goals vs Intentions, and how to use them

As many of you know, I meet weekly with my Business Coach/Therapist.  She is such a valuable resource to me, as she allows me to gain perspective on areas of my life that I am blind to.  Last week she gave me the valuable lesson of setting daily intentions.  This has become so important to me, that I thought it worth sharing.

As a businesswoman, I am a GREAT goal setter.  I set goals for my company every quarter.  I set performance goals for my clinicians and myself.  I set goals for my patients!  I set personal goals as well in the realm of diet and exercise.  So, when my Coach/Therapist suggested a ritual of daily intentions, I had no idea of how to separate them from goals.

Setting Goals

Goal setting is a valuable skill in business and in life, and it helps us stay on track and get things done.   The downsize of goals is that while we move forward and achieve what we set out to do, they can take us out of the moment and make us feel like we don’t have enough.  We are always working madly towards the next big thing, and missing the pleasure of everyday life.

Being Intentional

Being intentional allows you to focus on how you want to be in the moment, independent of whether you are achieving your goal or not.  You have an opportunity to structure your life around your values and focus on who you want to be right now.  Doing this helps your day run your way, rather than letting your day run you.

For example, many people have goals around their health.  A goal might be “I want to lose 10 lbs before Christmas”.  An intention would be “Today I am going to feed my body the fuel it needs to become healthy and strong”.  Or “today I intend to treat my body to a 30-minute walk in nature after work”.

Goals and Intentions Work Together

By setting goals and partnering them with daily intentions, you will become one of the few people who doesn’t miss out on the joys of life as you journey towards your goals.
Happy Goal and Intention Setting!