Setting goals often sounds simple: choose a target and go after it. But without intention, goals tend to scatter—driven by pressure, comparison, or external expectations. In an Aligned Sales framework, goal-setting is less about chasing outcomes and more about choosing direction with purpose.
Intentional goals anchor you to what truly matters. They connect action to values, and effort to meaning. When goals are aligned, momentum comes not from force, but from clarity.
Why Intention Changes Everything
Goals without intention rely on willpower alone—and willpower fades under stress. Intentional goals are fuelled by purpose. They are rooted in your why, tapping intrinsic motivation rather than fear or obligation.
Research on goal-setting consistently shows that specific, meaningful goals significantly outperform vague ones. Intention is the bridge that makes this possible. It sharpens focus, sustains effort through obstacles, and reframes progress as learning rather than success or failure.
Think of elite athletes. They don’t just aim for medals. They visualise who they are becoming through the process. Their intention strengthens with every training session, guiding decisions long before results appear.
What Aligned Goals Look Like in Practice
The difference between casual and intentional goals is easy to spot.
A casual goal might sound like: “I want to get fitter.”
An intentional, aligned goal sounds more like: “I want to build the stamina to hike weekly with my family, honouring connection and shared joy.”
The second goal creates discipline not through pressure, but through meaning. Intention asks an important question: Does this goal serve my values? It also reveals hidden resistance—fear of failure, self-doubt, or old beliefs—and invites compassion rather than self-criticism.
In aligned sales and leadership, this matters deeply. Goals rooted in values foster resilience. When progress stalls, you adjust with purpose instead of giving up or pushing harder in misaligned ways.
How to Set Goals With Intention
Start with reflection, not tactics.
- Clarify your values and long-term vision. What energises you? What kind of person do you want to be as you pursue this goal?
- Frame goals with structure and meaning. Use a clear framework (specific, measurable, realistic, and time-bound), but always link it back to why it matters.
- Visualise regularly. Spend a few minutes each day imagining success and how it feels. This helps your mind notice opportunities and stay oriented toward what matters.
- Break goals into micro-actions. Small, consistent steps build trust with yourself and maintain momentum.
- Review and adjust. Weekly check-ins help you celebrate progress and recalibrate as conditions change.
Tools like journaling or vision boards can help here—not as wishful thinking, but as emotional anchors that keep intention front and centre.
Intention Builds Identity
Stories of long-term success often come down to sustained intention. J.K. Rowling held fast to her vision despite repeated rejection. Sara Blakely built Spanx through years of intentional persistence before results followed.
Challenges will arise—distractions, doubts, delays. When they do, reconnect to purpose rather than pushing harder. Simple reminders like “My intention guides me” can reset focus and reinforce trust.
Over time, intentional goal-setting doesn’t just help you achieve outcomes—it shapes identity. You become someone who acts with clarity, alignment, and self-respect.
Start Here
Choose one goal. Slow down. Infuse it with intention. Align it with your values. Then take the next honest step.
Aligned goals don’t just change what you achieve.
They change how you show up.