For years, I felt like the odd one out in the personal development world. You know that slightly uncomfortable feeling when everyone’s raving about something, and you’re sitting there thinking, “Am I missing something here?” That was me every time someone started gushing about goal-setting. But to me, it was simply tired goal-setting.

“You need SMART goals!” they’d proclaim, eyes gleaming with the fervour of true believers.
“Have you written down your five-year plan?” they’d ask, brandishing their color-coded planners. “What are your Q1 objectives?” they’d demand while I tried not to visibly cringe.

Here’s the thing: I wasn’t being rebellious or lazy. Something about the rigid, box-checking nature of traditional, tired goal-setting felt… off. Like trying to navigate today’s rapids with yesterday’s map. And guess what? As our world spins faster and complexity becomes the new normal, it turns out that clinging to inflexible goals can be about as helpful as using a chocolate teapot.

Think about it: How many times have you achieved a goal only to find that the landscape had shifted so dramatically that your “success” felt irrelevant? Or worse, pushed through to reach a target that no longer served its original purpose? In today’s world, adaptability isn’t just nice to have—it’s survival.

That’s where intention comes in and with it, your TruePower.

Beyond the Resolution Trap

Let’s be honest: most New Year’s resolutions have the lifespan of a snowman in summer. They melt away because they’re often based on “shoulds” rather than deep-seated intentions. But here’s the thing: when you shift from rigid and tired goal-setting to intention-setting, you tap into your TruePower—that unstoppable force that emerges when your actions align with your values and authentic purpose.

The TruePower-Intention Connection

Think of intention as your internal GPS—not just telling you where to go, but why you’re going there in the first place. As Wayne Dyer brilliantly put it, “Your intention sets the course, and manifestation propels you towards it.” When you combine clear intention with your TruePower, you create an unstoppable force for positive change.

Unlike a goal that says, “I must reach point X by date Y,” an intention allows for organic growth and evolution. It’s like setting out on a journey with a clear direction but remaining open to discovering better paths along the way. Your TruePower emerges in that space between certainty and possibility.

Leading with TruePower: The New Paradigm

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leading with intention isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. Here’s why:

The TruePower Ripple Effect

When you lead with clear intention, powered by your authentic self, it reverberates through your entire organization. Your team doesn’t just hear your words; they feel your purpose. It’s like dropping a stone in a pond—the ripples of your TruePower touch everything around it.

The Power of Authentic Presence

TruePower requires something often overlooked in our busy world: genuine presence. It’s about being fully engaged at the moment, listening not just with your ears but with your entire being. As one leader told me recently, “When I align my presence with my intention, my TruePower naturally emerges.”

Activating Your TruePower Through Intention

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Setting intentions isn’t about making wishes; it’s about creating a framework for transformation:

1. Listen to Your TruePower Voice

Take a page from nature’s playbook. Just as trees grow stronger during rest periods, leaders gain clarity during times of reflection. Before setting intentions, create space to connect with your TruePower through deep listening—to yourself, your team, and the subtle signals around you.

2. Focus Your TruePower Energy

Think of intention as a lighthouse beam rather than a laser pointer. It illuminates the general direction while allowing for various paths to emerge. Your TruePower grows stronger when you remain flexible about the “how” while staying committed to the “why.”

3. Align with Your Authentic Self

Your intention should resonate with your TruePower at both personal and organizational levels. Ask yourself: “Does this intention express my authentic self while also lifting those around me?”

The Art of Intentional Adaptation

In a world of constant change, the real power lies in knowing when to hold firm and when to pivot. Your intention acts as a compass, while your TruePower gives you the courage to adjust your course when needed. This isn’t about abandoning your direction—it’s about being wise enough to recognize when the universe is offering a better path.

Your TruePower Laboratory

Think of 2025 as your living laboratory for intentional leadership. Here’s how to make it work:

Embrace the TruePower Journey

Remember, intention-setting isn’t about reaching a destination; it’s about transforming the journey itself through your TruePower. Some days, you’ll feel like you’re flying; others, you’ll be crawling. That’s not just okay—it’s part of the process of authentic growth.

Create Collaborative TruePower Spaces

Share your intentions with your team, but do it with an invitation rather than a declaration. Ask them about their own TruePower intentions. Watch how this shared exploration creates deeper connections and unexpected innovations.

Stay Flexible but Centered in Your TruePower

As complexity increases, your ability to remain centered while adapting becomes crucial. Let your intention guide you while remaining open to emerging opportunities and challenges.

Your 2025 TruePower Invitation

As you step into this new year, consider this: What if your intention, aligned with your TruePower, could create ripples that transform not just your immediate sphere but extend far beyond? What if your authentic leadership could inspire others to step into their own TruePower?

Here’s your invitation: Set one powerful intention that aligns with your TruePower. Let it be bold enough to excite you and clear enough to guide you. Then watch as it transforms not just your goals but your entire approach to leadership.

Remember, in a world of increasing complexity and change, your TruePower lies not in rigid and tired goal-setting but in the ability to hold strong intentions while dancing with uncertainty. The future belongs to those who can adapt while staying true to their core purpose.

The future is calling. How will you answer with your TruePower?

  • About the Author
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Rúna Bouius is a dynamic visionary and thought leader who empowers forward-thinking leaders and organizations to excel amidst the complexities of our rapidly evolving world.

Drawing upon her extensive experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur from Iceland, Rúna combines sharp business acumen with profound wisdom and an unwavering passion for redefining power and leadership. She expertly guides her clients through transformative journeys, unlocking their deepest purpose and potential for growth and positive impact.

As the founder of the True Power Institute, host of the TruePower Executive Roundtable, and co-founder of social impact initiatives, Rúna sparks transformative possibilities through coaching, facilitation, and speaking engagements. Co-author of the international bestseller “The Successful Mind,” Rúna is also a member of the AcornOak platform for Fractional Executive Women, dedicated to empowering leaders worldwide.

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