Have you ever set a goal, created the perfect plan, felt totally clear… only to be knocked off course by something unexpected?
You’re not alone. And you’re not doing anything wrong.
That’s exactly why I’ve shifted the way I relate to goal-setting, because I’ve experienced over and over again that life doesn’t follow our “perfect” plans.
In this video, I share a more grounded, flexible, and sustainable way to approach your personal growth.
One that supports real change and holds space for the mystery and magic of being human.
Why I Don’t Love the Word “Goal”
Let’s be honest. Goal-setting is the ultimate buzzword in personal development. And while it’s useful language, it often carries a heavy, hyper-structured energy. It’s very yang - action, hustle, planning, and pushing.
And truthfully? It doesn’t speak to me like it used to.
I still use it in context because it’s easy to understand. But what I really work with, and what I guide my clients to use are intentions. Words are important.
Intentions are rooted in desire, meaning, and energy. They leave room for fluidity, self-trust, and for real life to happen. They offer a soulful, human approach to honoring your desires without burning yourself out trying to control every outcome. Unrealistic in the real world.
The Yin and Yang of Intention-Setting
Here’s something we forget: there’s a yin and a yang to everything, including the way we pursue change in our lives.
Yang is the action side. It’s about planning, getting clear, making moves, and building discipline. It’s necessary. Structure matters.
Yin, on the other hand, is about surrender. Trust. Rest. Stillness. Intuition. Allowing life to unfold in its own way.
Most goal-setting strategies only teach the yang - the structure, the habits, the timelines. But they ignore the yin, which is just as, if not even more important.
When you set an intention, it’s not just about mapping a rigid path and sticking to it no matter what. It’s about aligning your energy with what you truly want and then co-creating with the universe.
This means leaving space for the unknown, the unexpected, and the unseen possibilities that might serve you even more.
It’s not about abandoning effort, it’s about balancing effort with ease. You can have structure and surrender. That’s where the magic happens ✨
Your Desires Are Valid
The fact that you crave something different, whether it’s more health, more connection, more creative freedom, means you’re meant for it.
Your desires are there for a reason.
But the way they unfold might not look like what you planned.
That’s why we don’t just set the intention, we hold it with flexibility and trust.
Let’s say your intention is to improve your health by running more. You commit. You plan. You even start strong. And then… you injure your leg.
Now what?
In a rigid goal-setting model, that setback might feel like failure. But from an intention-based lens, it’s just a redirection. The intention is still valid, it’s just taking a different path now. Maybe that path involves swimming, or walking, or rest.
That’s the beauty of this approach. You don’t need to throw everything out when something doesn’t go to plan.
You pivot, not punish.
Intentions Are Your Compass, Not a Cage
Intentions are meant to guide, not confine. They help you focus, get clear, and move forward, but they also allow you to be human.
You’re not supposed to have it all figured out.
What matters most is staying connected to why you want what you want and being willing to show up for it, even if the journey changes shape.
You’re allowed to shift course.
You’re allowed to rest.
You’re allowed to recalibrate.
Structure holds you steady. Surrender keeps you soft. And when you blend the two, that’s where sustainable, soul-aligned momentum is born 🔥
This sustainable approach to intention-setting isn’t just about “being softer.” It’s about being smarter. It’s about building something that lasts. Something that honors your energy, your season of life, and your inner compass.
So go ahead. Set the intention. Make the plan. Build the structure.
But hold it all with open hands.
The universe may just have something even better in store…
✨ Reflection for You
Take a breath and ask yourself:
What’s one intention you’re holding right now that feels both expansive and grounded. How can you hold space for that desire, without needing to control every step of the way? Please share, i’d love to hear!
Share this post