Why Setting Intentions Before Setting Goals will be a Game-Changer for Business Owners
Every new year feels like a fresh canvas—a chance to reimagine your business and personal growth. But before diving into detailed goal-setting, it’s necessary to take a moment, pause, and consider your intentions. While goals give you measurable milestones, intentions define your purpose and direction. For small business owners, setting intentions before goals helps ensure your efforts are meaningful and aligned with what truly matters to you and your business.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between intentions and goals, why intentions are a critical starting point, and how they can guide you in creating CLEAR goals for a successful year.
What’s the Difference Between Intentions and Goals?
Intentions: Your “Why”
Intentions focus on the bigger picture—your values, priorities, and overarching purpose. They answer the “why” behind your actions. For example:
- Intention: “Build a business that empowers women to succeed.”
- Intention: “Create a work-life balance that allows time for family.”
Unlike goals, intentions are not tied to a specific outcome. Instead, they act as a compass, providing guidance for how you want to show up in your business and life.
Goals: Your “What”
Goals are measurable and specific. They’re the “what” that helps you bring your intentions to life. For instance:
- Goal: “Grow revenue by 20% this year.”
- Goal: “Launch a new product line by Q2.”
Goals are actionable steps that align with your intentions, but they lack the emotional connection that intentions bring.
Why Business Owners Need to Set Intentions First
1. Intentions Add Meaning to Goals
It’s easy to set ambitious goals, but without a clear purpose, they can feel empty or overwhelming. Intentions help you prioritize goals that align with your values and vision. For example, if your intention is to “foster creativity in your team,” your goals might focus on team development rather than just profit growth.
2. Intentions Keep You Grounded
Running a business can feel chaotic, especially when juggling multiple responsibilities. Intentions act as an anchor, helping you stay connected to what matters most. They remind you of the bigger picture, even when day-to-day challenges arise.
3. Intentions Build Resilience
When goals don’t go as planned, intentions provide a safety net. If your goal to double sales this quarter falls short, your intention to “serve customers with integrity” remains intact, motivating you to keep going without losing sight of your purpose.
4. Intentions Foster Flexibility
Unlike rigid goals, intentions allow for adaptability. Business landscapes change, and having a strong intention enables you to pivot without losing direction.
How to Set Intentions Before CLEAR Goals
- Reflect on Your Vision and Values
Ask yourself what matters most to you as a business owner. What kind of impact do you want to create? What do you want your business to stand for? - Define Your Intentions
Write down a few key intentions for the year. Focus on areas like your personal growth, customer relationships, or business culture. For example:
- “Prioritize innovation to stay ahead of industry trends.”
- “Build a supportive environment for my team to thrive.”
- Align Intentions with Goals
Once you’ve defined your intentions, use them to guide your goal-setting process. For instance, if your intention is to “enhance customer loyalty,” a CLEAR goal might be to “increase repeat purchases by 15% by offering a loyalty program.” - Stay Connected to Your Intentions
Revisit your intentions regularly to ensure your goals and actions remain aligned. Consider journaling or creating a vision board to keep your intentions front and center.
Using CLEAR Goals to Realize Your Intentions
Once your intentions are set, you can create actionable goals using the CLEAR framework:
- Collaborative: Work with your team to ensure goals reflect shared values and strengths.
- Limited: Keep goals focused to avoid overwhelm.
- Emotional: Tie goals to your intentions for deeper motivation.
- Appreciable: Break goals into manageable steps to make progress achievable.
- Refinable: Be ready to adjust your goals as needed while staying true to your intentions.
For example:
- Intention: “Support local communities through my business.”
- CLEAR Goal: “Collaborate with two local charities to host community events by Q3.”
Why Intentions and Goals Work Best Together
While intentions provide the “why,” goals give you the structure to make your vision a reality. Together, they create a powerful roadmap for growth and fulfillment. Intentions keep you aligned with your purpose, while goals drive measurable results.
Actionable Steps to Get Started
- Reflect on your values and vision for the year.
- Write down 2-3 intentions that resonate with your personal and business priorities.
- Use your intentions to craft CLEAR goals for the new year.
- Regularly review your intentions and goals to stay aligned.
- Celebrate progress, whether it’s a milestone goal or a small step toward living your intention.
Final Thoughts
As you step into the new year, remember that intentions are the foundation of meaningful growth. By defining your “why” first, you can set goals that align with your values and create a business that truly reflects who you are.
What are your intentions for the year? Share them in the comments or on social media using #TheHappyBusinessOwnerIntentions. Let’s inspire each other to build businesses that matter!
Bonus Resource: Download our free Intentions and Goals Workbook to map out your vision for the year!
