Goals vs Intentions

What’s the difference? Is one more important than the other? All the gyms are packed with active trainers in January, so fewer and fewer people show up each following month. Although these gym-goers have lofty goals at the start of the year, they lack the focus and intention to stay on course.

Goals are the results that you need. It results from something you’ve put together based on your thought process. On the other hand, intentions are more or less the energy you put in at the start of something. So it’s not quite like motivation, but your overall willingness to do something is your willingness.

I’m not alone in saying we’ve all been through a lot in the past two years. Hats off to you for surviving, but now it’s time to move forward with a plan. Goals and intentions are the perfect catalysts to jumpstart your personal growth.

I’m sure you’ve heard the term SMART goal, if not take a few minutes to read this article. Here’s how I set my goals for the year

At the beginning of each year, I list 10–20 goals I wish to achieve. After refining the list several times and setting specific goals, I organize them into quarters. For example, a couple of my Q1 goals are:

1. Start writing a blog
2. Reach 100 followers before my birthday

This process allows me to see the bigger picture while focusing on the steps needed to get there. Intention fuels your goal! You’ll never reach your goals unless your purpose is steady and robust. Goals alone aren’t enough and should also include how you will achieve the goal — specific information about getting from where you are to where you want to be.

Next, I write down my weekly and daily intentions. These baby steps are necessary before you can start walking and running. A few of my weekly choices are:

1. Draft 3-4 blog posts
2. Edit 1-2 blog posts
3. Promote blog 3-5 times

“write down your visions, goals, intentions in order to bring them to life.”

These are the basics for my yearly goal-setting process, and I’ll share additional steps later. Keep an eye out for posts on manifesting, vision boards, and more. Let it be this if you only take one nugget away from this post.