Setting an intention vs. setting a goal

I’m introducing something new to my students this semester-the practice of setting intentions. Setting an intention is different than setting a goal. Goals tend to focus on the end result (good grades), and while that is certainly not a bad thing, what I like about intentions is that they are more purposeful and include feelings and mindset.

Let this Monday morning session demonstrate what I mean:

Student wants to earn 70% on his accounting exam. Accounting does not come easily to him, and he got a 66% on the first exam. Stress was kicking in!

To start off, I asked him to write what he wants to happen this week in the Friday block of his planner, and most importantly, write it like it already happened (the art of manifesting!?!) So he wrote, “ I passed my accounting exam with a 70 or higher"

Then I asked him 2 questions: 1) What 2 actions will help make that happen? 2) What mindset or feeling would best help you?

In Monday’s block, he wrote: “Prepare 2 questions to ask peer tutor” In Tuesday’s block, he wrote: “Stay after class to talk to the professor and schedule an appointment during office hours.”

For the feeling he wanted to approach this with, he said” Confident and determined…, not my usual second-guessing way I enter into a test.” Now, do know that the day of this session was the day after the Celtic’s game 5 loss to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Championships, so I couldn’t help but ask, “You mean like Tyler Herro confident?!” Tyler Herro is the 20-year-old basketball phenom who shoots, plays and simply just exudes the confidence of a seasoned NBA player. I find his presence on the court extraordinary. As a college lacrosse player, I figured he could relate, so I asked how he conjures up confidence for a big game. He said, “Be prepared…….ahh…..I get what you are doing here. I can do this.”

And what was it I was trying to do by asking him to set an intention? Help him design the week so that it felt purposeful, achievable, and intentional. As a recruited college athlete, confidence is a familiar feeling thus making it easier for him to tap into the power of it. I felt like he clicked “end meeting” with a little more direction and umph than usual. Maybe his cup of coffee had kicked in, but I think it felt good for him to start his week off with intention.

Hopefully, his exam goes as well as game 4 of the Eastern Conference Championship series did for Tyler Herro!