Set Intentions, Not Goals
Learn how this subtle difference will make you more fulfilled—and more capable.
Fifteen years ago, I landed a very prestigious client. My goal for the quarter had been three new clients, and this went above and beyond my aspirations. I went home and celebrated, elated that I would have the chance to support this powerful organization’s leaders. After a couple of days passed, however, the feeling of elation dissipated. I set a new goal for the coming quarter, and this somehow felt a bit hollow. Once again, I began to feel that nagging sense of worry about falling short. Was this really what it meant to have ambition—to be constantly striving for something you don’t have?
I wondered. What would make my daily work life feel richer and more fulfilling?
It took some time and contemplation, but it finally dawned on me—I needed to focus more on intention-setting than goal-setting.
Why focus on intentions rather than goals?
Goal-setting is outward-focused and future-focused. It deals with results we can achieve out there, in the world, one day. In contrast, intention-setting leads us to look inward. Intentions relate to what we want to give the world, how we want to show up, and who we want to be in our daily work. Focusing on intentions changes how we think, feel, and behave—starting now. Like an internal compass, it guides our actions from moment to moment, which affects the results we get, how we see ourselves, and the satisfaction we gain from our work.
As every leader knows, we can’t control all the variables that affect whether we can reach our goals. Goals may need to be modified, shifted, or even abandoned entirely depending on outside circumstances. But we absolutely can control our intentions—and they will help us adapt to any changes we encounter. Setting intentions makes us more resilient, guiding how we navigate unpredictable changes.
Setting intentions embraces a growth mindset, focusing on what we can become in the present rather than what we can achieve at some point in the future. Since living by our intentions is something we can do immediately, it’s also a more empowering and motivational practice than goal-setting. When we set intentions, we can begin seeing a change in ourselves right away.
What’s more, a focus on goals can lead to disappointment, even if you end up reaching them. Tal Ben-Shahar, a positive psychology professor at Harvard, explains this as the arrival fallacy. We expect to achieve happiness upon accomplishing a goal, but instead, after a brief period of elation, we go back to the status quo. Too often, that means feeling empty and inadequate. If we focus on intention—on what we can be today—we ultimately begin a practice of finding fulfillment in the present.
What does this mean for goals?
Of course, you can still set goals, but what really matters is that you let these goals be driven by your intentions. When we set intentions, we’re actually more likely to achieve our goals.
Begin with the intention and allow it to shape your goals. As you set goals, reflect on whether they align with your intention. And if your goals change, allow your intention to help you navigate the transition.
Examples of intentions
Need more clarity on what this sounds like? Here are a few intentions a leader might set:
I will show empathy to everyone I interact with.
I will set my powers of creative expression free.
I will strive to learn from everyone around me—at all levels.
I will look for new opportunities for collaboration in unexpected places.
I will help everyone find ways to use their strengths.
I will trust my intuition to guide me in taking strategic risks.
I will build a strong network of relationships.
I will stay calm and centered in even the toughest situations.
Your intention should be broad enough to apply to a wide variety of situations. It should also reflect your most deeply held values, showing how you want to interact with the world.
You can also get a little more specific if you prefer. For example, “I will spend more time in the community getting to know the people we serve” or “I will work toward collaborating across teams.”
From here, you can set small, sustainable goals that ultimately serve your larger intention. For example:
“I will set my powers of creative expression free” can become a goal of, “I will spend X hours per week doing something creative.”
“I will build a strong network of relationships” can become, “I will ask a colleague to lunch to get to know them better.”
Ultimately, these goals serve your larger purpose and align with values. Whether you reach them or not is less important than whether they’re really serving you.
Creating a practice of intention-setting
Here is a helpful practice to help you set your intentions and allow them to shape your daily work.
Journal. Take 45 minutes to an hour to write about what qualities you wish to embody and how you want to feel. If you think better while in motion, take a walk and contemplate these ideas. These prompts will help you get started. Don’t worry about responding to them all; just choose any that speak to you.
What are my most deeply held principles?
How do I show up when I’m feeling my best?
What qualities do I exude?
When am I my most authentic self?
See which qualities rise to the top. Look back over what you’ve written and circle (or mentally circle) the words that encapsulate these qualities. Choose up to three.
For each of these qualities, write a sentence or phrase expressing your intention on a notecard. Post it near your desk so you’ll be reminded of it every day.
Once a week, take 10-15 minutes to reflect on how you wish to embrace this intention over the coming week. Write down your thoughts (or contemplate them on a walk).
In your day-to-day work, focus on your intentions. Remind yourself of your intentions as you begin work each day. This will increase your motivation, ultimately enhancing your success. And you’ll feel better in the process!
These small daily habits will keep your intentions at the forefront of your mind. They’ll guide how you approach challenges, relate to people, and carry out your work.
As I practiced focusing on intentions in my own work, I fixated less on the future. Instead, I became my most authentic self in the present, focusing on what meaningful actions I can take today. Guided by my intentions, I actually accomplish more than I did when I focused single-mindedly on goals. The energy I used to spend worrying about achieving that difficult goal now gets channeled directly into showing up as my full self today. And that makes each day richer and more rewarding!
Sources
Center for Creative Leadership, “Living with Intention at Work and at Home”
https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/living-with-intention-work-home/
Forbes, “The Most Successful People Don’t Set Goals—They Do This Instead” https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennifercohen/2018/09/25/the-most-successful-people-dont-set-goals-they-do-this-instead/?sh=7063e0125d2d
Omar Itani, “Intentions vs. Goals: Why One-Word Intentions Work Better Than Goals and New Year Resolutions” https://www.omaritani.com/blog/goals-vs-one-word-intentions
The New York Times, “You Accomplished Something Great. Now What?”
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/28/smarter-living/you-accomplished-something-great-so-now-what.html