Don’t just make goals, make the reason why you want the goal most important. I’m talking about making intentions. You see, when it comes to making changes in our lives, we often hear about setting goals. However, the concept of intentions is often overlooked, even though it can play a crucial role in our ability to implement new habits and reach our desired outcomes.

What are Intentions and Goals?

Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets we set for ourselves to achieve. They are often focused on specific outcomes or achievements. For instance, a goal could be to run a marathon or to lose a certain amount of weight within a particular time frame.

Intentions, on the other hand, are more about the present moment and our mindset. They are the internal commitments we make to ourselves to act in a certain way or approach a situation with a particular attitude. They are not always tied to a specific outcome or achievement. For instance, an intention could be to perform an act of kindness to a stranger or avoid alcohol at tonight’s cocktail party.

The Power of Intentions

While goals are important, intentions play a more crucial role in achieving success, particularly when it comes to implementing new habits. One big distinction to make here is that intentions provide the daily fuel to reach your goals. They are the micro-wins to keep you moving forward. You may have difficulty reaching a specific goal without understanding “why” you’re aiming for it. That’s where intentions come in. They help you to stay focused on the everyday effort that is needed.

Here’s why:

Intentions Help to Create Purpose

Intentions help us to create purpose and meaning in our lives. They are not solely focused on achieving a particular outcome but rather on how we approach the journey. When we set intentions, we focus on our values and beliefs, which gives us a sense of purpose that helps us to stay motivated even when the going gets tough.

Intentions are More Flexible than Goals

Goals are often rigid, with specific outcomes and deadlines. While this can help us to stay focused, it can also make it difficult to adjust our plans when things don’t go as expected. Intentions, on the other hand, are more flexible. They allow us to adjust our mindset and approach to different situations, even if the outcome remains the same.

Intentions Help to Change our Habits

When we set intentions, we create a mindset that supports our desired habits. For instance, if we set an intention to approach exercise with a positive attitude, we are more likely to stick to our workout routine, even if we don’t see immediate results. Intentions help us stay motivated, even when we don’t see progress, which is crucial when implementing new habits.

Intentions Help to Create Lasting Change

Goals are often focused on short-term outcomes, such as losing a certain amount of weight within a specific timeframe. While this can be motivating, it can also lead to burnout or relapse once the goal is achieved. Intentions, on the other hand, are focused on creating lasting change. By setting intentions, we create a mindset that supports our long-term goals, which helps us to maintain our habits even after we’ve achieved our desired outcome.

Conclusion

While goals are essential, intentions are more crucial when it comes to creating lasting change and implementing new habits. By setting intentions, we create a mindset that supports our values and beliefs, which helps us to stay motivated even when we don’t see immediate results. So, the next time you set a goal, remember to set an intention that supports your desired outcome.

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