Setting Intentions vs Goal Setting

There are lots of ways to get from A to B. Many of us have goals that we want to achieve. By their nature, goals are future focused. Although goals can be very useful, there’s a risk of missing out on what is happening in the present while looking ahead.

Intentions can complement goals. Two people have recently reminded me about using intentions. One person sets an intention for the day. The other sets an intention for the week ahead. You may have heard about picking 3 words to guide your choices in the new year instead of making resolutions. Any of those options could work or some other frequency that feels right for you.

Intentions help us to be mindful and be more aware of what is going on in the moment. They can help us focus on something positive and remind us about what is important to us. Writing it down is helpful but not required. Can you think of an intention that could help your day go better? Maybe it’s resilience or taking the time to express gratitude to someone. I have been working on incorporating an intention in my day and find it helpful.

For ideas on how and why to incorporate intentions into your routine, along with example intentions, see the resources listed below.

Resources

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Barbara Jean Conti