Let's talk about the difference between an intention and a goal.
Because a lot of people use these words interchangeably,
But they actually do two very different things.
Intentions and goals are not the same.
And when you understand the difference,
It can change the way you move through your whole life.
So here's the deal.
A goal is something you want to accomplish.
An intention is the energy.
The why and the way of being you choose to practice.
Notice that word practice while you move toward your goal.
So the goal tells you the what.
The intention tells you the how you're going to show up while you accomplish it.
So,
For example.
A goal might be.
I want to write a book.
Or I want to run a marathon,
Or I want to start a business,
Or I want to heal my relationship.
I want to meditate every day.
I want to make more money.
I want to get healthier.
And we need these kinds of goals because goals are powerful.
In fact,
Research on goal setting has actually shown that specific goals help us focus our attention more and keeps us motivated throughout our lives.
So goals are important.
So to be clear,
I'm not here to tell you to like throw your goals away.
But here is the problem.
A goal can tell you where you want to go.
But it doesn't tell you who you want to be on your way to get there.
And that's where intention comes in.
Here's the metaphor I want you to think about.
So a goal is like going on a road trip and setting your destination on your GPS.
An intention is the way you choose to drive.
So the goal says,
This is where I'm going,
And the intention says,
This is how I'm gonna travel when I get there.
Because you can put your destination into your GPS and still drive there angry the whole way,
Or you can still drive there rushing the whole way,
Or you can still drive there so mentally checked out that you miss every beautiful thing along the way.
And a lot of us do this with our lives.
We set a goal.
We achieve the goal and in the process of going towards something we wanted that we thought would bring us joy.
We get there.
And we're exhausted,
Depleted,
Disconnected,
Resentful,
Or even still feeling like the goal that we accomplished is not enough.
I know this has happened to me before,
So I wonder if this has happened to you if you're nodding your head here with this.
Because what happens is you finally finish or do the thing you thought would make you feel safe or successful or free,
And then two days later you're already like,
Okay,
Well what's next?
And so this is what happens when goals are disconnected from intention.
And it's not that we don't keep setting new goals.
That's fine to do.
But it's super important that we don't get in this cycle of spinning of not enoughness.
And that's what happens when we're not clear about our intentions,
Because intentions outlast goals.
All right,
So the goal gets accomplished.
But the deeper transformation.
Is about your intention.
The reason?
Intentions outlast goals is because intentions are about the transformation that happens inside.
And this is why.
I feel like intention matters so much and why it's such a huge topic for us to focus on here.
And so some examples,
Let's just say your goal is to get healthier than your intention might be.
I choose to be loving and kind to my body.
Otherwise,
What happens is you can hit the number on the scale or get the better body but you practice hating yourself in the process.
Let's do another example.
If your goal,
For example,
Is to make money.
Your intention might be.
I choose to build wealth.
Without abandoning my peace.
Otherwise,
You risk making all that money.
But being so stressed out and miserable that it doesn't even matter that you have the money in the first place.
If your goal is to get into a relationship.
Your intention might be.
.
.
I choose to let myself be seen for who I really am.
Because.
.
.
I've had to learn this the hard way in my own life.
The goal is not just to be chosen by someone.
The deeper intention is to stay connected to yourself.
While you open your heart to love.
So do you see the difference?
The goal is external.
The intention is internal.
The goal is where we're going.
The intention is the relationship you build with yourself while you move toward where it is that you're going.
And this is where a lot of people get tripped up.
But if you're here,
In this community on Insight Timer.
It's because you know.
And you are interested.
In something deeper.
And an intention brings you to that something deeper.
And I really mean that because you can accomplish a beautiful goal.
In a way that hurts you.
You can build a dream while betraying your body.
You can become successful while abandoning your joy.
You can get the relationship while losing yourself.
You can do all the things.
And still not feel happier.
And so intention.
It's not something we can pass by.
Intention is not soft.
Intention is what keeps goals from becoming another form of self-abandonment.
So here's the simplest way to remember everything that we've been talking about here.
A goal is what you want to do and intention is who you choose to be.
A goal points you toward the future.
And intention brings that future into the way you live right now.
And when you bring these two things together,
That's where the magic happens,
That intersection.
Because the goal gives your energy a direction.
And the intention gives your direction.
Some salt.
So today,
Don't just ask yourself,
What do I want to accomplish?
Ask yourself,
Who do I want to be while I am accomplishing it?
What part of me do I want to strengthen?
Because the point is not just to arrive at the destination,
The point is to become who you want to become in your life inside.
I'm Justin Michael Williams,
And hey,
Please leave a comment for me here.
I love reading your comments,
And let me know what you're taking away from this video.
I wanna know what you're learning for your own life.
You're doing amazing work.
Thank you for being here in this community,
And we rise together.
