Here's a journey from dreams and intentions into goals, broken down into actionable stages: dreams, intentions, tasks, goals. You can do this!
1. Dreams: The Spark of Possibility
Dreams are where it all begins. They are the big, bold, and sometimes vague ideas of what you want to achieve in life. Whether it's writing a book, starting a business, or traveling the world, dreams fuel our passion and give us a sense of purpose. The open us up to the possibility of what could be – a positive place action. Dream and take note of your dreams.
- Key Questions to Explore Your Dreams:
- If I had a magic want what would I do?
- What excites or inspires you?
- If there were no limitations, what would you do?
- What legacy would you like to leave?
I dream of publishing my next memoir. Is my dream. This has been a dream of mine for the last few years after publishing Soul Love: How a Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again and is bubbling up for completion this year.
2. Intentions: Defining Your Purpose
Intentions narrow the focus of our dreams. Intention is defined as what we intend to do or be. An intention is the pursuit of a specific part of your dream. It acts as the bridge between the abstract and the actionable. Intentions shifts our focus from "someday" to "soon." Remember someday isn't on the calendar.
- Turning Dreams into Intentions:
- Reframe the dream as a personal promise. For example:
- Dream: Write a book
- Intention: Commit to sharing my ideas through writing
- Identify the why behind your dream. Intentions are fueled by meaning and purpose
- Reframe the dream as a personal promise. For example:
My intention is to focus on completing and publishing my next memoir – Elder Care Nightmare: Mission of Love Part 1. I’ve been slowly writing it for over six years it’s time to get it out and start on Part 2. My why is 2 parts. One clients and friends have encouraged me to finish this and tell me it’s an important story to tell. Second, is after writing more chapters last year, I realized that this was a 2 part book. First part my mom’s illness and death, the second part will be my dad’s dementia this long journey to hospice and lingering. Leading to the OK, God, if you want two books, I best wrap up number one so I can focus on number two and my other books are in me.
Intentions anchor you to your goals, ensuring they align with your values and priorities.
3. Tasks: Action at Ground Level
Tasks are where the rubber meets the road. These are the actionable steps required to fulfill your intentions. While intentions guide your direction, tasks define the day-to-day actions that lead to progress.
- Breaking Down Intentions into Tasks = Your To Do List
- Identify the smallest possible actions that move you forward
- Create a timeline for each task
- Prioritize tasks based on impact and urgency
- Intention: Commit to sharing my ideas through writing.
- Tasks:
- Set a daily writing time
- Research topics of interest
- Draft one chapter outline per week
My writing tasks: Find outline, revamp/update outline, set a writing time per week, write at least 2-3 times per week on memoir, celebrate writing successes, intend to finish a chapter every other week (that’s more of an intention than task). I’m really loving my To Dos and To Done’s lists in my 2025 Goal Planner as a way to make progress.
4. Goals: The Destination for Success
Goals are the culmination of your efforts. They are clear, specific, and measurable outcomes that reflect the realization of your dream. Unlike dreams, intentions and tasks, goals are time-bound and achievable with defined metrics of success.
- Crafting SMART Goals:
- Specific: Clearly state what you aim to achieve
- Measurable: Define metrics to track progress
- Achievable: Set aligned achievable objectives
- Relevant: Ensure these are realistic and relevant with your broader dreams & intentions
- Time-bound: Establish deadlines to maintain focus and a sense of urgency
- Dream: Write a book.
- Big Goal: Complete a 50,000-word manuscript by December 31st.
- Smaller Goal: Write outline of book by January 31st
- Micro Goal: Start outline by January 17th
I encourage you to set big, medium, smaller and micro goals. Micro goals are the way to success. When we complete micro goals we are on track to meeting our medium and big goals.
I am still working on the ultimate big goal that’s realistic and achievable given all of what I’ve got going on for this year. My dream is to publish before the holidays, I intend to write as if this is my goal. I’m starting with micro goals as that feels more realistic for me. Celebrating that I’m getting micro tasks in my business and around the house completed as well!
- Write for 2 hours per week
- Complete one chapter every 2 weeks starting Jan 13
- Review and reflect on writing progress weekly in weekly reflections area of planner
The 2025 Goals Planner has pages for tracking and modifying goals.
Dreams inspire, intentions commit, and goals deliver. This framework is more than just a process—it’s a mindset. Each step builds on the last, helping you turn what once seemed impossible into your everyday reality.
So, what’s your dream? Set your intention, define your goals, and watch as your aspirations transform into accomplishments.
Looking for support with your dreams and goals? My 2025 Goal Tracking Planner has the tools to help you take your dreams to intentions to tasks to goals. Click Here to order your planner.
If you’d like more support, I offer 1 hour goal and planning strategy sessions, a 1 month coaching package and 3 month coaching packages specifically focused on goals and planning. Click HERE to learn more about goals and planning with me. I love working with others to help them craft their goals and then celebrating when they accomplish them.
I have space for two clients in January. If that’s you or someone you know please contact me. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Latest client wins – “I’m in such a better mindset now, Thank you.”, “Coaching has helped me with my professional and personal relationships. Things are going so much better now.”. “Coaching has helped me on the job and my manager noticed, Thank you.” Whoo Hoo! Go clients, you inspire me and help me remember why I do this work.
Follow me on social media for insightful questions, tips, and motivational quotes.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Taking dreams, intentions and turning them into tasks and micro goals.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
The truth is, reaching your goals isn’t just about motivation—it’s about having a system.
The 2025 Goal Tracking Planner is that system:
✔️ Map out your career or personal growth goals & track them
✔️ Stay focused with weekly and monthly check-ins
✔️ Reflect what is working & what is not to help remove blockers
✔️ Celebrate milestones to stay motivated
For professionals & those ready to make an impact, this planner is your ultimate tool.
A year from now you ay wish you had started today. ~ Karen Lamb
📈 Start planning your path to success here: https://www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com/pre-order-2025-planner.html (it says pre-order - you can order now it's available)
Amazon paperback & 3 spirals remaining as of 1/14/25.
Order Now & Get your dreams and ideas moving towards action!