14 Jan Your Best Year Yet: Combining the Power of Intention AND Intent
As we step into a new year, many of us have our sights set on success, growth, and transformation. However, to truly make this your best year yet, it’s time to understand the nuanced power of both intention and intent. These two concepts, while closely related, play distinct roles in how effectively we achieve our goals and create lasting change.
Understanding the Difference
Intention is the broad, enduring mindset that guides your overall path. It is the compass that directs how you envision your life. This might mean committing to a lifestyle filled with health, mindfulness, or personal growth.
In contrast, Intent refers to the specific actions that drive us on a daily basis. It is the focused energy you place on tasks and actions that align with your goals and helps you to achieve the intention you set. For example if living healthier in 2025 was your intention, then setting a daily goal to exercise for 30 minutes, or meditate for 10 minutes, stems from your intent.
Why Both Matter
Intention provides the direction, while intent drives the action.
Relying solely on intention without intent can lead to a lack of actionable results. You may have the map, but without specific actions, you won’t start the journey. It could be why achieving New Year’s Resolutions can be so difficult for many…a destination but no map. Conversely, having intent without intention can mean you’re putting energy into actions that may not align with your long-term goals. It’s like paddling furiously without a clear direction or driving to a new restaurant with only its name and no actual address.
For the most fulfilling and successful 2025, create your overarching intention (vision for the year) and align your daily actions (intent) with it. This harmony transforms aspirations into reality, fostering progress that truly matters.
One Action Step for the New Year
To integrate both intention and intent seamlessly, start with a simple yet powerful action: Reflect and Plan Weekly. Did you know that most people spend more time planning a week of vacation than they do their life? Set aside time each week to reflect on your intention for the year, your goals, achievements, challenges, and lessons. Use this reflection to assess how on track you are and then identify the specific actions (your intents) for the next week that will align with your intentions. This weekly cadence is very powerful. If you want to go one step further, find an accountability buddy. Studies like the one by Dr. Gail Matthews highlight the positive impact of writing down goals and providing weekly progress updates to a friend, leading to significantly higher goal attainment rates compared to those who don’t review regularly. David Coreen of Davron Recruiting wrote a great summary of her findings.
This weekly approach ensures you’re not only setting sights on your broader objectives but also determining concrete actions to move forward in real time. It creates a balance between mindful foresight and purposeful activity.
Your Best Year Awaits
As you harness the combined power of intention and intent, remember to celebrate small victories and remain adaptable. Life’s unpredictability can be daunting, but with clear intention and decisive intent, you’ll carve a path of growth and joy. Here’s to 2025 being —your best year yet!
Kiki