What is Intention?

Goals and checklists fill our lives, like motors keeping us moving forward. Where would we be without them? Disorganized, unfocused, losing momentum. In the architecture of manifesting what we most want for our business, the layer just beneath our organizational goals lives something called intention. 

Though they may seem like synonyms, and often are used interchangeably, goals and intention are not the same thing. An intention is the life, the breath, the why of the goal. It is what brings a goal to life with a compelling reason and logic beyond simple calculations of what is needed short and long term. 

An intention acts like a passage to our hearts and minds, giving access to a deeper knowing that becomes our compass once we say yes to it. An intention lives in us, even as the outward goals, for our business and life, may shift and change with time and experience. 

How can you tell when you are connecting to an intention, versus a goal? Each person will have their own experience, sense of meaning and depth of perception about this. On that note, here are some possible examples: 

Goal: to reach the C-suite in 2 years
Intention: to skillfully, artfully, and sacredly reach my next level as a leader, in service to my life mission and the future that wants to happen.

Goal: more work-life balance
Intention: to be more present to the whole of my life and all it is calling me to, so I can more joyfully and meaningfully weave together the many aspects that are needing my attention. 

Goal: to grow a new section of the company
Intention: to become a catalyst for growth as a steward of my company, being present to why I want this and the incoming from the future about how this can happen, in a way that is life giving for the planet.

In each of these examples, intention gives a roadmap of the deeper meaning behind a goal. For an intention to work its magic, it needs to be something meaningful to you, and ignite you personally. It’s not an external formula, and you’ll know if it’s true because you’ll want to move in its direction. Intention brings business goals alive, which in turn, helps those goals become reality. 

Next week read our next insight on Intention Practice for more about developing skill with Intention.