Why I No Longer Set Goals Without Intentions
I recently led a small group discussion about intentions.
Intention is my new favorite word. I love it because it implies action and commitment. When intentions are built around what is personally meaningful, it can be a powerful motivator.
I have to admit, I am a little jaded when it comes to goals. Goals feel flat to me, like they are just a to-do list. Goals are important and necessary but also can be easy to put on a document without personal attachment. Now I combine my goals with intentions and regular out-loud readings, and voila! - a manifesto to keep me on track with what is really important.
Here are some questions to help you determine your own personal goals and intentions:
It is your funeral. Someone is reading a five-sentence list/paragraph of things that you did in your life that were most important to you. What specifically are they saying that is unique to you?
It is the end of 2021 and you just had the best year of your life – ever. What things did you intentionally do that made it so?
Keeping these things in mind, what goals do you have for yourself, both professionally and personally, that you would like to achieve by the end of 2020?
What did you learn about yourself doing this exercise?
Once I have my goals and intentions set, I revisit and read them out loud often. Obliviously, doing so reminds me of what is important – like a compass resetting my direction. It is amazing how day-to-day activity can pull me away from these things. There is something significant about reading my goals out loud that also solidifies my intentions differently in my mind.
I am committed to living my life and helping my clients live their lives with intention. We are on this earth for a reason, and I, personally, want to make the most of it.