If I hear another corporate presenter tell me to make my goals "SMART" (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), I might actually scream into my coffee mug. Not because it's bad advice no it's perfectly sensible, like eating enough vegetables or flossing daily. But sensible doesn't always translate to transformative, does it?
It's a bit like when Moses came down Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments. I imagine the Israelites standing there thinking, "Right, so... don't murder, don't steal, honour your parents. Got it. But how exactly does this help me figure out my five-year career plan?" The commandments told them what to avoid, but not necessarily how to thrive.
In the same way, SMART goals give us a framework but often miss the deeper "why" that makes a goal worth pursuing in the first place.
When Solomon Asked for the Wrong Thing (But Actually Got It Right)
Remember young King Solomon? When God basically offered him a cosmic blank cheque, saying "Ask for whatever you want me to give you" (1 Kings 3:5, NIV), Solomon didn't request wealth or long life or the defeat of his enemies. Instead, he asked for wisdom: "Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong" (1 Kings 3:9).
The fascinating bit? God was so impressed that Solomon hadn't asked for the obvious stuff that He gave him all those things anyway: "I will give you what you have not asked for, both wealth and honour" (1 Kings 3:13).
There's something profoundly instructive here about setting goals from a place of purpose rather than just acquisition. Solomon's goal wasn't SMART in the conventional sense how do you measure "wisdom" anyway? Is it "achievable" to request divine enlightenment? But it was deeply intentional, aligned with his core values and responsibilities.
The Dopamine-Chasing Hamster Wheel
There's this fascinating study from the University of Southern California that examined how our brains process achieved goals. (Guys there's a whole archive on Wikipedia on University of Southern California, you should check it out!) Turns out, we get a lovely dopamine hit when we tick something off our list, but that neurochemical reward fades quickly, leaving us hungry for the next achievement.
Researchers call this the "arrival fallacy" the belief that when you arrive at a certain destination, you'll be happy. But then you get there and... well, you're just you, standing in a new spot, already eyeing the next summit.
As Ecclesiastes puts it with typical biblical gloom: "Meaningless! Meaningless! Everything is meaningless! What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?" (Ecclesiastes 1:2-3, NIV). Thanks, Solomon, very uplifting mate.
But the same book later offers the antidote: "There is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work..." (Ecclesiastes 3:22). The joy is in the journey, not just the destination.
From SMART to HEART Goals
So how do we set goals that have both structure AND soul? I've been playing around with what I call HEART goals (yes, another acronym, I know, I'm part of the problem):
H - Honest: Is this truly YOUR goal, or something you think you should want?
E - Enriching: Does pursuing this goal enrich your life regardless of outcome?
A - Aligned: Does it align with your core values and larger purpose?
R - Realistic: Not in the sense of playing small, but knowing your true capabilities.
T - Transformative: Will this goal change you in meaningful ways?
The difference is subtle but important. SMART helps you achieve goals efficiently. HEART helps you choose goals worth achieving in the first place.
Practical Ways to Set More Intentional Goals
Right, enough philosophical musing. Let's get practical, shall we?
Start with "Who" not "What" Before listing what you want to achieve, clarify who you want to become. As James Clear argues in "Atomic Habits" (great book, slightly overquoted these days, but still): "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become."
The Three Whys Test For any goal you're considering, ask "why?" three times in succession. If your answers get progressively deeper and more meaningful, you're onto something worth pursuing.
Example:
- "I want to learn Spanish." Why?
- "Because I'd like to travel to Spain comfortably." Why?
- "Because I've always been drawn to the culture and want to connect more authentically with the people and places there." Why?
- "Because I believe experiencing different cultures expands my perspective and makes me more empathetic and grateful."
That's a goal with heart, not just smart.
Schedule Values, Not Just Tasks In your calendar, don't just block time for tasks ("work on project" or "exercise"), but for values ("create something meaningful" or "care for my health"). It's a subtle shift that makes a difference.
The Intentional Failure Option
Here's something they don't teach you in goal-setting seminars: sometimes the most intentional choice is to deliberately fail at certain goals to succeed at others that matter more.
I had to learn this one the hard way when I was trying to:
- Excel at work
- Be deeply involved in my community
- Maintain perfect health
- Nurture all my friendships
- Develop new skills
- And get enough sleep
Spoiler alert: it didn't go well.
Intentional goals sometimes require intentional sacrifices. You can do anything, but not everything—at least not simultaneously. As the Book of Ecclesiastes wisely notes, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
The Final, Uncomfortable Truth
The most intentional goal-setters I know have all come to the same realisation: setting truly meaningful goals often requires facing uncomfortable truths about ourselves.
The psychologist Carl Jung said, "Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate." Our unexamined desires, fears, and beliefs often drive our goals without our awareness.
Setting intentional goals might mean acknowledging that you've been chasing success to prove something to a parent who never gave you approval. Or recognising that your reluctance to set ambitious goals stems from a deep-seated fear of failure rather than genuine contentment.
Because this is what we do now!
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