The Power of Personal Intentions

A peaceful, practical approach to living with more clarity, freedom, and purpose.

To be honest, I’ve never really been a goal-motivated person.

Intention-motivated? Absolutely. But goals? They’ve often made me feel boxed in—restricted to a timeline and, if I didn’t meet them, like I’d somehow failed.

We all grew up hearing about SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time-bound). We set them in school, during internships, at work, and on project teams. And sure, they serve a purpose. Goals help with structure, tracking progress, and giving us something to aim for.

But when it comes to personal growth and day-to-day life? I’ve found that intentions have been far more meaningful and sustainable.

So, what is an intention?

By definition, an intention is “what one intends to do or bring about.”

But I like to think of it as:A mindset shift with a specific focus that leads to positive personal change, improvement, or wellness.

Intentions aren’t rigid. They don’t demand progress on a schedule. Instead, they invite reflection, awareness, and purpose. They evolve as you evolve—and that’s what makes them powerful.

How I Set Intentions

When January rolls around, I always feel a little overwhelmed by the idea of planning for the entire year ahead. So I break it down into what I call my three life buckets:

• Professional: Work, continuing education, professional development, my network

• Relationships: Marriage, family, friendships

• Wellness: Physical health, spirituality, hobbies, giving back (to my people or my community)

I don’t set intentions for every area, every year. That would feel like a to-do list, not a rhythm. But I do reflect on what matters most in that season of life, and I set intentions around those priorities. For example:

• I set an intention to launch my coaching business first quarter—not “by March 30, 2025, at 2 p.m.”

• I set an intention to start trying new recipes again—not “3 new recipes a week every week.”

• I set an intention to plan monthly date nights—not “on the second Thursday of every month.”

Do you see the shift? Intentions give you freedom—to adapt, to reassess, to move at a pace that aligns with your life.

My Intentional Rhythm: Quarterly Reflections

Personally, I like to work on a quarterly basis. At the beginning of each new quarter—January, April, July, and October—I schedule a quiet meeting with myself.

I turn off my phone.

I play some peaceful acoustic music.

I prop open a window.

And I simply ask myself some guiding questions related to that season’s priorities:

• How can I best pour into my friendships right now?What are my friends walking through, and how can I support them?

• How do I feel physically?Are there areas of my health—movement, nutrition, rest—that need attention?

• What did I learn last quarter?Where can I lean into curiosity or try something new?

• And my favorite: Am I having fun in my life?If not, what needs to shift?

These questions open the door to intentional living—not perfection, not pressure, but presence.

Why Intentions Matter

An intention feels like a gentle nudge, not a looming deadline.It feels purposeful, not performative.It makes space for peace, clarity, and heart-led decision-making.

For me, intentions are about walking through life with more grace. They aren’t about achieving for the sake of achievement, but about aligning with what matters most.

So if traditional goals have ever felt heavy to you, maybe it’s time to try something different. Maybe it’s time to set an intention.