Building Unshakable Goals

In a world that relentlessly pushes the narrative of goal-setting, vision crafting, and benchmarking as the ultimate roadmap to success, there's an essential, yet often overlooked, component that distinguishes the truly successful from those perpetually chasing their tails. Yes, having goals and objectives is crucial—they give us direction and make our aspirations tangible. However, there’s a nuanced layer beneath the surface that can significantly influence our ability to build and achieve these goals and sustain high levels of performance over time.

This layer? Our underlying intention.

In my experience working with leaders and organizations across the globe, it's clear that while most have a well-defined vision for the future, digging a little deeper often reveals the true intention behind their efforts. More often than not, these intentions are circumstantial: to beat the competition, increase profits, impress a superior, or simply avoid failure. But what happens when these external circumstances change? The competition evolves, financial targets are met, leadership shifts, or the looming failure is narrowly avoided. Suddenly, the foundation upon which these goals were built begins to crumble, leaving us in a constant cycle of iteration, adjustment, and change, often without making meaningful progress.

Circumstantial intentions, while motivating in the short term, are inherently flawed. They tether our aspirations to variables beyond our control, creating a shaky foundation that can easily be upended by the unpredictable nature of life and business. When our goals are anchored to such external factors, the fulfillment derived from achieving them is often fleeting. Once the target is hit or the threat is averted, the drive that propelled us forward dissipates, leaving us starting anew… 

Intention rooted intrinsic inspiration offers a more sustainable and consistent drive towards achieving our goals. When our ambitions are aligned with who we are at our core and what we genuinely wish to contribute to the world, our efforts transcend the circumstantial. This alignment creates a resilience that powers us through the inevitable ups and downs, keeping us focused on a vision that extends beyond the immediate horizon of external achievements.

So, how do we shift from circumstantial to core intentions? It begins with introspection. We must ask ourselves why are we pursuing a particular goal and whether it aligns with our deeper values and purpose. Or, if we’re only doing it “because” of an external factor. This process may reveal that some of our objectives are more about external validation or fleeting desires than about fulfilling our true aspirations.

Once we identify our core intentions, we must embed them into our daily actions and decisions. This means making choices that consistently reflect our values, even when they conflict with short-term gains or external expectations. It's about playing the long game, focusing on sustainable success rather than immediate rewards.

Adopting an approach centered around core intentions not only enhances our ability to achieve goals, it enriches the journey towards them, fostering a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction not contingent on external achievements, but  instead, is derived from the knowledge that we are living in alignment with our true selves. This intrinsic satisfaction is a powerful motivator, driving us to maintain high levels of performance over the long term.

Moreover, when we operate from a place of genuine intention, we inspire those around us to do the same. This creates a ripple effect, fostering environments where collective goals are pursued with passion, integrity, and fulfillment. The outcome is not just individual success but the elevation of entire communities and organizations towards higher levels of achievement and meaning.

While goals, visions, and benchmarks are essential tools, they are but one piece of the puzzle. The missing piece, the one that can transform our efforts from fleeting attempts into sustained achievements, is intention. By anchoring our goals in intention that reflects our core values and intrinsic motivations, we become unstoppable regardless of  circumstances. So, as you chart your course towards your next achievement, take a moment to reflect — not just on what you aim to accomplish, but why. It is in this reflection that you'll find the key to not simply reaching your goals but surpassing them in ways that truly matter.