This time of year, the air is filled with reflections on goals and intentions for the upcoming Year. Recently, I attended a workshop at my yoga studio, Hot Yoga Asheville, led by the incredible Lindsay Thomas. Her insights into the distinction between goals and intentions struck a chord with me.
Lindsay pointed out that goals are finite. They have a clear beginning, middle, and end. They are limited and often tied to specific achievements. In contrast, intentions are more infinite, not bound by rigid steps or time constraints. This struck me as a powerful concept, especially when considering WHY we do what we do.
The WHY Institute’s framework has nine WHYs – they’re consistent and permanent. They are an intrinsic part of who we are and how we’re wired. For example, I have the WHY of Better Way. I am driven and find it fulfilling to find a better way and share it. This desire to innovate plays an important role in my intentions as I work to set goals for the future. Both my WHY and my intention have a significant time horizon.
As we embark on 2024, I encourage you to consider the distinction between your goals and intentions. What is your intention for the year? What is your WHY? While goals may be the stepping stones, intentions and our WHY are what guide our journey.