What is the Difference Between a Goal and an Intention?

As we move towards the end of the year, many of us are reflecting and creating our vision for next year. This year, I have had a few people ask me what is the difference between a goal and an intention? Subsequently, in this post I will discuss –

• What is a Goal?
• What is an Intention?
• What is the Difference Between a Goal and an Intention?

Let’s get started!

What is a Goal?

The definitions of goals I discovered were –

• “the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.” ~ Google and Oxford Dictionaries
• “the end toward which effort is directed.” ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionaries
• “an aim or purpose” ~ Cambridge Dictionary
• “the result or achievement toward which effort is directed” ~ Dictionary.com

Generally goals follow the SMART process – S for Specific, M for Measurable, A for Achievable, R for Relevant and T for Time-Based.

What is an Intention?

The are many definitions of intention including –

• “An intention is an idea that you plan (or intend) to carry out. If you mean something, it’s an intention. Your goal, purpose, or aim is your intention. It’s something you mean to do, whether you pull it off or not.” ~ Vocabulary.com
• “the thing that you plan to do or achieve: an aim or purpose” ~ Merriam-Webster.com
• “a thing intended: an aim or plan” ~ Google
• “an act or instance of determining mentally upon some action or result” ~ Dictionary.com
• “a thing intended; an aim or plan” ~ Oxford Dictionaries
• “Your intentions create your reality.” ~ Wayne Dyer

I think of an intention as a way of BEing or “I Am” statement based on your values – who we are on our deepest level.

What is the Difference Between a Goal and an Intention?

As you can see by the above, the key difference between a goal and an intention is –

• a goal is what you want to DO, and
• an intention is who you want to BE.

Also goals are specific, measurable and based on the future, whilst an intention is focused on the process, values, how you are showing up and a way of BEing with the present.

Questions for Reflection –

The following questions might help you get a sense of the differences between a goal and an intention –

1. How do you feel when you don’t achieve or accomplish a goal? Now, how do you feel when you do achieve or accomplish a goal?
2. How do you feel when you live with intention?
3. Have you tried combining goals and intentions? If so, feel free to share your insights below!

Over to You…

I hope this post has helped you identify the difference between a goal and an intention. If you have any further questions, please comment below.

If you are ready to reclaim your courage and take the next step towards freedom and opening your heart, why not join our Toolkit?