It's nearing the end of March, which means that by this point of the year, most people may have already abandoned the resolutions they set for themselves for the new year. When people don't meet the goals they set for themselves, they can often fall into the trap of negative self-talk and may even consider giving up altogether. This is why many are making the switch from goal setting to intention setting. What's the difference? So glad you asked.
Goal setting focuses more on specificity, measurability, and a clear timeline. It also focuses on external achievements (e.g. getting a promotion, meeting a weight loss target, buying a dream car etc). As much as goals help to keep people on track, there are some limitations. Stress and anxiety can often rear their ugly heads when we are faced with a deadline. Pressure can start to build as the deadline approaches, and some may feel like they are in a race against time. Enter burnout, subsequent feelings of inadequacy when we don't measure up to the standards we set for ourselves, and a significant dip in self-worth.
Intentions on the other hand offer a refreshing shift in perspective. Intentions are less about those external achievements and more about the present moment and internal growth. They encourage us to embrace the qualities we wish to embody, honor our values, practice flexibility when we encounter the twists and turns of life, focus on the journey rather than the outcome, and take small steps towards who we want to become.
Now this does not mean that our goals go out the window. Rather, the focus becomes more about integrating our intentions with the goals we are pursuing and creating more of a holistic approach towards productivity, purpose, personal growth, and joyful living.
Another thing to keep in mind while on your own personal journey is that sometimes you need to take stock of what is and is not working for you at any given moment and act accordingly. If for example, you feel like you're in a rut with goal setting, and setting intentions is more doable for you, by all means, let that be your focus for now. At the very least, focusing on your intentions will give you the perspective shift you need, and then you can revisit setting goals when it feels appropriate. At the end of the day, you have to do what's right for you. If you're interested in learning more about intention setting, check out my free intention setting guide at https://www.osomc.com/worksheets
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