Here’s a question I’m asked a lot: “What’s the difference between setting a goal and setting an intention?” The answer can be a real game-changer when it comes to personal and professional effectiveness.
I like to look at goals as the final destination, as that specific achievement that we desire. Goals tend to be future-focused, external and outside of ourselves.
Setting a goal is a mental process, one where we analyze, plan and reason with ourselves. Goals, by themselves, can trigger an all-or-nothing mentality within us.
We like to think we’re in control of the goal, and all the steps it will take to achieve it, however, so often life gets in the way of our grand plan. Sometimes it’s just hard to stay on track with all of the daily distractions.
Intentions, on the other hand, are based in the present moment, independent of the final goal. They promote a sense of discovery and expansion and allow us to celebrate the little wins along the way. Intention aligns us with our inner creative intelligence.
In the words of Dr. Wayne Dyer — “Intentions are not necessarily something that you do but something that you connect to.“
Intentions are the energy we hold inside of ourselves as we move towards that which we want. They are created from a place of love, and by releasing the fear of not accomplishing that big goal we’ve set for ourselves.
Here are 3 distinct differences between a goal and an intention:
- Goal = future focused vs. Intention = present moment
- Goal = destination vs. Intention = daily actions
- Goal = external achievements vs. Intention = relationship with yourself
I’ve been hosting lunar inspired intention rituals every month for over a year now, and find them to be a potent practice in staying focused on the present moment while I’m striving for a bigger end result. Join this month’s Live and Interactive Full Moon Intention Ritual on Saturday, May 18th at 6 pm Eastern
Together with a morning practice where I set forth a daily intention, focusing on the energetics of how I want to feel and what I want to experience as I take steps towards that larger goal creates greater momentum and more joy in my life.
On Sunday, I’m kicking off the 7 DAY INTENTION CHALLENGE. I’ve recorded a series of 7 meditations that I’m sharing free during the week-long challenge. Join me every day from May 19-25. All you need to do to join in is to take a moment to register now and get ready to activate your intentions into exquisite manifestation.
One of the reasons that intentions are so powerful is that research is proving that our brains can’t distinguish between what we imagine is happening and what is actually happening. Fascinating.
Deepak Chopra, in The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, says this about intention: “Intention operates outside the boundaries of normal space and time; it is the great organizing and unifying force of the universe; infinite in scope and duration. It allows us to imagine beyond the boundaries of what the local mind sees as “possible, to think” outside the box and to believe in miracles.”
I am passionate about helping people set intentions that MANIFEST. And in that spirit, I’ll be offering daily inspiration all month, so stay tuned to my social media throughout the month.
How do you use intention in your daily life? Share your thoughts as I always love to hear from you.
Infinite ∞ Love,
Lyn