Goals are good but Intentions are better
By: Anthony Novich Leonard
Tags: Self Improvement, Goal Setting, Motivation

It’s about that time of year when we are all thinking about it, how we stacked up with our goals from the beginning of this year, how we bought that elliptical and used it as a coat hanger for most of it. How we got that gym membership and then stay at home happened. When I think about Goals, like you, I have a visceral reaction, but having that clear direction is vital to know how you are progressing. They can take a toll on us emotionally though if we dont have the correct mindset. Mindset is what makes your goal more effortless, where you dont have to think about it all the time. Once you do that you can have your goals happen naturally, and appreciate them and the journey way more.

(Photo by Author)

First question

How do you treat yourself when you get closer or farther away from your goal?

Take a second and think.

Imagine stepping on the scale, and you gained 5 lbs since two days ago. What is the first thing you say to yourself?

That’s what we need to address, that part. The destructive put down chatter that goes on the second that your goal gets slightly off track, The Mental block that coincides with any of our goals. The voice inside your head that is not as useful as you think it is. This voice is the biggest thing that can stop all our momentum when setting the pace to reach our goals. The worst part if you don’t address the agent that puts you down is that when you get your plan, that voice will prevent you from ever truly appreciating it.

It’s like that feeling when you reach a birthday or milestone in life. You were expecting some significant change to occur, like some beauty and the beast style transformations where you start levitating, beams of light shoot from your toenails, and bam, you magically have luscious blonde locks with a perfectly chiseled body.

Nope, No, Definitely not.

How do we overcome these thoughts?

Well, the simple answer is to stop listening to them, but easier said than done. These thoughts are where other practices, such as Meditation, comes in handy. Meditation will help soften that voice in your head or take it less seriously.

Affirmations are also great. You may think affirmations are silly, but lots of studies have shown that they are beneficial. It’s if you can’t stop yourself from thinking might as well make yourself think thoughts that will be helpful to you. I would recommend finding a meditation app and adding at least 5 mins. To your day.

The big picture, though, is to keep yourself going, no matter how you feel. Go for the outlook of improving 1 percent every day. That’s all.

Where does the Intention part come into this?

Glad you asked. The intention is when you set your goal, and then you put it aside, not out of view, just on the side. If you have a big lofty goal, you have to remember that the goals are not going to happen overnight, and if you are like me, who is still learning the fine art of setting goals, it might be a little unrealistic to achieve within whatever timeframe. That’s okay. You have the direction. That’s what matters. You have the mindset to keep going no matter what you say. You will get there. Once you have created a routine and made your habits automatic, you don’t need to look up the mountain. Just keep going forward if you are still struggling to develop those habits and making them intuitive. Like everyone else, I recommend reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. The book offers loads of tips to set a new habit. One of my favorite ways from the book is pairing habits. Pick something that you do every day and link it with the new habit you want to build.

Intention doesn’t come right away, and starting out you will be adjusting your goals, rewiring your thoughts, and that all takes time. Just don’t be too hard on yourself. Keep going and appreciate the journey.