The Power of Intent: Why It Matters More Than the Goal

What if the real secret to fulfillment wasn’t reaching your goal, but understanding why you want to reach it in the first place?

We Talk About Goals, But What About Intent?

In every project, transformation, or milestone, there’s a path. We often obsess over the destination—but how often do we reflect on the intent behind our journey?

This realization came to me after years of personal exploration. Understanding my intent brought clarity to my behaviors, allowed me to reconnect with myself, and shifted the way I approach success.

Growing up, I misunderstood what intent truly was. I thought it meant “trying,” which in my upbringing was simply not enough. I was taught: Don’t try—do. Succeed.

The intention behind this message was positive—to instill strength and determination—but what I internalized was different: if I didn’t succeed, I wasn’t good enough.

Intent Lives in the Present

Here’s something powerful I’ve learned:

• Goals exist in the future.
• Intent lives in the present.

You can set the most ambitious goal, but if your intent isn’t aligned with your truth, the journey becomes heavy, and even success can feel hollow.

Two Patterns That Repeated in My Life

Despite being highly determined and focused, two things kept recurring whenever I set goals:

1. I Didn’t Enjoy the Journey

I lived for the future and didn’t acknowledge the daily intentions that were moving me forward. I didn’t celebrate small wins—because in my mind, “we’re not there yet.”

2. I Didn’t Celebrate Success

If failure wasn’t an option and “trying” was unacceptable, then success became… ordinary. It wasn’t something to honor or feel proud of. It was just expected.

A Turning Point: When Intent Changed Everything

Let me share a personal example.

There was a time in my life when I believed losing 20 pounds would fix everything:

“Once I lose the weight, I’ll be happier, have more friends, and finally get my life together.”

I poured myself into the goal. I lost the weight. But nothing changed—because the intent behind the goal was off.

• Goal: Lose 20 lbs
• Intent: Look better so I could be accepted, liked, and validated.

The real issue?
I was working too much, not going out, and not creating opportunities to connect with others. My weight wasn’t stopping me—my mindset and lifestyle were.

Eventually, I gained the weight back.

A New Intent, A New Outcome

Years later, I tried again—with a different intent:

“I want to feel better in my body. I want to look in the mirror and appreciate who I am.”

This shift changed everything.

• I started showing up with more confidence.
• I enjoyed the process instead of just chasing the result.
• I became more open, social, and aligned with myself.

The weight loss happened again—but this time, it felt like success.

Because it was.

The Right Intent Makes All the Difference

Before you or your clients set a goal, pause and ask:

• Why is this goal important to me?
• What’s the real reason I want to achieve it?
• Does this intent serve me—or is it masking something deeper?
• Is it aligned with my values and truth?

Intent gives meaning to the journey. It’s the fuel behind every step.

A Pattern of Self-Sabotage

Recently, I realized I’d been pursuing a certain goal for 20 years. Every time I got close, I either made it harder to reach or sabotaged myself.

Why?

Because I was terrified of what would happen once I got there. That goal had become part of my identity. Letting go of it meant letting go of a long-held struggle.

Then I read an article titled “How You Might Feel Empty After Reaching a Big Goal.”
It blew my mind—this was exactly my experience.

Now, I’m ready to reach that goal—and accept success without fear. Because now, my intent is clear. I’ve defined it. I’ve made sure it supports me.

Intent Transformed My Coaching Practice

This shift changed not only how I live—but how I coach.

I no longer focus only on helping clients reach goals like weight loss. My mission is to guide them in enjoying the journey and building a lifestyle that reflects who they truly are.

• Not a life of restriction.
• But a life in alignment.
• A way of living that matches their values.

Final Thoughts: Intent Is Today’s Superpower

• The goal lives in tomorrow.
• Intent lives in today.

And today is where change happens.

So next time you set a goal, don’t do it just to stay busy.
Set it with a meaningful, aligned intent—something that will make a difference for you or for someone else.

Reflect & Share:

• What’s a goal you’re working toward right now?
• Can you clearly state the intent behind it?
• Is that intent serving you—or holding you back?

👇 I’d love to hear from you in the comments.