Vision Boarding vs. Intention Setting: The Grow with Satori Approach

As we step into a new year at Grow with Satori, we’re reflecting on a ritual that’s energised our community and shaped our growth: vision boarding. These creative sessions, filled with inspiring images and words, have helped us and our team members articulate dreams and visualise future goals. Yet, through years of facilitating and participating, we’ve discovered a deeper layer to sustainable change: intention setting.

Why Vision Boarding Resonates?

Vision boards are a fantastic starting point. They help individuals and teams:

Visualise goals and aspirations
Gain clarity on what they want
Activate imagination and motivation
Keep ambitions visible and top of mind

However, vision boards are primarily outcome-focused. They map out destinations, but don’t always provide the inner alignment needed to stay on track or adapt when circumstances shift.

Where Vision Boards Fall Short?

Our experience shows that vision boards can lose their impact when:

Goals are driven by comparison or external validation
The "why" behind ambitions isn't clear
Life changes, but the board remains static
Motivation dips if results aren’t immediate

An inspiring board alone doesn’t always guide daily decisions or foster resilience.

The Power of Intention Setting

This is where intention setting, sometimes called intention boarding, makes a transformative difference. At Grow with Satori, we’ve found that intention setting shifts the focus from doing and having, to being and becoming. It invites deeper reflection:

What truly matters at this stage of life or business?
What values do we want to embody?
How do we want to show up: for our clients, our colleagues, and ourselves?
What kind of culture and impact are we consciously choosing?

Examples of intentions our team has embraced include:

“We choose clarity over chaos.”
“We lead with courage and compassion.”
“We prioritise wellbeing without guilt.”
“We create success without burning out.”

Intentions serve as anchors, not just goals they guide everyday choices and remain relevant even as plans evolve.

Why Intention Setting Drives Sustainable Change

Intention setting is powerful because it:

Guides daily decisions, not just big-picture goals
Builds internal motivation and resilience
Keeps teams aligned during setbacks
Influences how success is pursued—not just what is pursued

When intentions are clear, goals naturally fall into place.

How We Set Intentions at Grow with Satori

Our process begins with a thoughtful review of key life and business areas: self, family, career, growth, relationships, health, finances, environment, challenges, and habits. Through guided reflection, we celebrate achievements, acknowledge missed opportunities, and rate satisfaction to gain clarity on our current state. From there, we set new intentions around who we want to be, how we want to experience our work and relationships, and which values matter most. This approach encourages practical planning for the year ahead, fostering self-awareness, clarity, and motivation—all while honouring the “who” behind our goals. Intention setting helps us articulate true aspirations and identify the support or behavioural shifts needed to bring them to life.

Here is what the team said after the exercise

Click here for video: https://youtu.be/vcaEnSh615M

Vision Board + Intention Board = Lasting Impact

Here’s where the real magic happens:

Intentions come first - they’re our inner compass.
Vision boards follow - they’re our outer expression.

So, instead of asking, “What do we want to achieve this year?” we start with, “How do we want to live, feel, and show up…consistently?” Our vision boards then reflect this deeper truth.

At Grow with Satori, we believe vision boards inspire, but intentions transform. If your vision board hasn’t delivered the change you hoped for, perhaps the intention behind the dream wasn’t clear enough. Start with intention. Let the vision follow.

Shanti Sharma

Shanti Sharma ICF PCC / EMCC Sr. Practitioner / Mentor Coach

Founder | Author | Leadership, Executive and Team Coach | Facilitator | Mentor Coach

Vision Boarding vs. Intention Setting: The Grow with Satori Approach

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