SMART Goals vs. Intentions: A Simpler Way to Achieve Your Goals
Summary: If SMART goals leave you feeling uninspired, you're not alone. Learn a simple three-step approach that replaces pressure with intention and helps you make meaningful progress.
The Intention → Action → Forward Framework
Simplify any goal and speed up achieving your goals.
Warren said to me, “I want to start the New Year feeling good.” For years, he admitted he would indulge during the holiday season. He attended parties, celebrated with drinks and all those holiday sweets. He would then spend the first months of the year undoing the damage.
He wondered what it would feel like to start the first day of a new year feeling healthy and strong. Our coaching session explored this idea further. Something this year was very different in him. He was ready to break the pattern.
Warren set a powerful intention for himself when he said, “I want to start the New Year feeling good.” His related goals were to lose 20 pounds and to do 20 pull-ups at the gym. But those goals by themselves weren’t motivating enough. The intention is what drove him to take action. He imagined making different choices that might cause a ripple effect for the whole year.
Why SMART goals don’t always work
In my former career, being a program manager included creating and implementing goals. I remember feeling obligated to use SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based). And every time, I would look up examples on what exactly that means so I could do it right.
My overthinking brain would spend so much energy trying to write a goal statement. And right there, I would lose interest before the work had even begun. SMART goals don’t motivate me because they are too complicated.
Studies show motivation as a top reason why goals are not achieved. When the goal is not work related, and more personal, more than ever you need self-motivation to make a change.
What I’ve learned after thousands of coaching and goal sessions with clients is if you don’t love the goal statement, you’re less likely to achieve it.
If you don’t love the goal statement, you’re less likely to achieve it.
Using business tools like SMART goals might give you results. Use The Intention → Action → Forward Framework for personal and business-related goals. Last year, I hosted a goals masterclass and presented this system. An attendee chimed in to say her organization needs this! She was planning OKRs at the time and realized the “O” or "objective" isn’t motivating enough. It’s similar to a SMART goal that describes the thing the organization wants. She exclaimed, “It should be I-OKRs to get teams on board!”
Looking for a more meaningful way to approach your next career or life transition? Learn how True North Coaching helps you move from intention to action.
Let's break down how this can work for you.
Learn 3 Steps for The Intention → Action → Forward Framework Results
Step 1 Set an Intention
Intentions are the things you plan to do, your aim and purpose. How they differ from goals is intentions are internal to you. You can live and align to your intention every day. When you do, you speed up achieving your goals in the most authentic way. What’s your intention?
Step 2 Take Action
Today, begin doing the small things that align to your intention. Many people think that taking action requires big bold moves. Taking action includes thinking, reflecting, journaling, preparing and sharing. Action means making new choices (micro-choices) that are only noticeable to you. What small steps can you take?
Step 3 Move Forward
For conflict-adverse people, moving forward is the hardest part. Making a change means you will encounter setbacks. You will face conflict, even if it's within yourself. When you do, it’s easy to get discouraged and say, “this will never work for me.” What will help you to keep going, even when you have setbacks?
It’s that simple. There’s nothing to memorize or remember. Set an intention, take action, move forward is an affirmation to keep you going. You can’t forget your intention because it’s what you really want! What I love about this strategy is it’s organic and takes away all the learning curve of creating SMART goals.
Meaningful change starts with intention.
Personal Transformation
Keeping his intention top of mind, every day Warren took action. He revisited holiday tradition and obligations. Here’s how he disrupted himself:
He limited holiday commitments (food, sweets, drink)
He remembered always feeling sluggish, spending January undoing the damage from holiday season
He kept going to the gym
He gained momentum feeling stronger
Let go of the idea of indulging so much during the holidays
He achieved 20 pull ups at the gym, besting other half his age. He lost 20 pounds. He kick-started the year feeling self-confident, resilient and empowered to reach even higher.
What becomes possible when your goals are guided by intention, not pressure?
If this approach feels more aligned than traditional goal setting, notice what it opens up for you and what you feel drawn to try next.
Ready to move forward with intention?
Whether you're changing careers, developing as a leader, or navigating a life transition, clarity begins with understanding what truly matters to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are SMART goals?
SMART goals are goals designed to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They work well in many business settings but may not motivate everyone personally.
How do I set personal goals that actually motivate me?
Start with an intention rather than a task. When your goals connect to how you want to feel or who you want to become, you're more likely to stay motivated over time.
What's the difference between goals and intentions?
Goals focus on what you want to achieve. Intentions focus on how you choose to live and act each day. Together, intentions create the motivation that helps you reach your goals.
