In the past, I was driven by a desperate need to “win” and to prove myself to others. I felt like I was chasing goals to become “someone” and to make people proud. But win against what? Become who? Make who proud? I’m going to be extremely vulnerable here:

I often felt like I wasn’t enough. I was desperate to win the financial game from a fear of not being able to support my family. I sometimes see other people being as intense and desperate or scared and fearful as I used to be, and it hurts my heart.

When we set goals from the desperate place of “not being enough,” we focus solely on chasing outcomes. But my friends, we cannot always control the outcomes. It’s time to stop setting “Desperation Goals” and start planting “Rooted Intentions.”

The Power of “Rooted Intentions” + Why Traditional Goal Setting Fails (The “Desperation Trap”)

I recently discovered a powerful analogy, and this discovery has changed my life. Strong words, I know. But it’s true.

The Bamboo Analogy

The bamboo tree spends years growing deep roots underground before anything appears above the surface. Then, almost suddenly, it shoots up rapidly in a short amount of time, forming a large, powerful, towering, beautiful bamboo tree.

How does this relate to our goals? Our goals are often focused on the end result—the tree, on what’s visible. If we focus solely on the visible, end-result goal (hitting that weight loss number, launching our business), our goals will topple over with the first windstorm, when things get hard. We need to focus our goals, instead, on building strong roots. Rooted goals are about building the “foundation” first, something that is actually more important than the goals themselves because the depth of those roots provides the strength to survive those external pressures we WILL face. Our goals will be able to stand strong because of the deep roots we’ve nurtured and grown.

I’ve felt like bamboo the past few years. I’ve been in a stage of creating internal stability (the roots) instead of external chasing (the tall, mature tree) like I was doing in the past. What do I mean? I’ve learned to view my finances, a source of desperation in the past, as part of a game. The “old” Heidi felt like she had to continuously make, make, make the money because bills were coming due. Now, I focus on viewing all of the paper bills and the zeros, or even the no zeros, in my bank account as Monopoly money, and when I can separate any setbacks not as a personal failure or a catastrophe but as simply a temporary state in the game, life is just more enjoyable. I know I can roll that dice and everything will be okay. This mindset shift takes away the heaviness of living life.

Your fitness goals need a bamboo season too. Instead of laser-focusing on that dream result, focus, instead, on creating those Power Promises—those teeny tiny steps taken consistently—that build those strong roots while also getting that dream result you’re after no matter what life throws at you.

5 Steps to Achieving Your Goals with Power Promises

The Rooted Success Cycle

How to shift from “chasing outcomes” to growing deep, storm-defying results.

Step 1: Identify the Trap of “Desperation Goals”

Before you can plant new seeds, you have to clear the weeds of “not enoughness.” Desperation goals are born from fear; Rooted Intentions are born from purpose. When you’re trying to control the outcome, you’re too terrified to roll the dice.

Deep Dive: If you find yourself stuck in a cycle of self-sabotage, read my post on Transforming Your Goals: How to Stop Making Excuses and Rationalizations. We have to address the “why” behind the fear before we can move forward.

Step 2: Find Your “Why” to Overcome the Fear

Rooted goals require a foundation. I’ve learned to view my finances—once a source of desperation—as part of a game. By separating setbacks from personal failure, the heaviness of life lifts. You need to find the “Why” that makes you feel confident enough to roll the dice, even when you can’t see the result yet.

Deep Dive: Facing a goal that feels “too big” or scary? Check out Goals + Fear | How to Overcome Fear to Achieve Your Goals to help you find the courage to plant those first seeds.

Step 3: Use a Framework That Actually Works (SMART Goals)

While the feeling of your goal should be rooted and fluid, the action needs to be specific. You wouldn’t plant a bamboo forest without knowing how much water it needs. To build a foundation that survives external pressure, you need a structure.

Deep Dive: Not sure how to turn a dream into a plan? Follow my step-by-step breakdown: How SMART Are Your Goals? A Guide to Specific and Attainable Success.

Step 4: Focus on “Power Promises” Over Outcomes

Your fitness and life goals need a bamboo season. Instead of laser-focusing on that dream result, focus on taking teeny, tiny steps consistently. I call these Power Promises. These are the roots. They aren’t flashy, and people might not see them yet, but they are what allow you to stand tall later.

Deep Dive: Learn how to build a life you love, one tiny promise at a time, in my post: Build a Life You Love: How to Set Goals + Actually Achieve Them.

Step 5: “Consciousness Bend” Your Reality

Setting goals is actually not even about the goal itself. It’s about becoming who you want to become while you’re moving toward that final outcome. Look for evidence that proves you are already becoming that person. It’s like seeing a red car—once you start looking for your growth, you’ll see it everywhere.

Deep Dive: Once the roots are set, it’s time to grow. Learn how to keep that energy going in How to Build Momentum and Create a Life You LOVE!.

Are you ready to start your own “bamboo season?”

Real transformation doesn’t happen overnight—it starts deep beneath the surface. This process is definitely a consciousness shift from what we’ve done in the past. Think of it this way: Instead of the check list of to-dos we usually rely on to achieve our goals, a process which can make us feel desperate when we’re not checking off boxes like we think we should, look for the evidence from those seeds of hope you’ve planted—those tiny steps and Power Promises, that evidence that proves you are already becoming the person you want to become. In the game of life, you’ll want to pass go and roll the dice because you’re confident in the seeds and roots you’ve planted. When we can do this, we’re actually bending our reality to meet who we’re becoming along the way. It’s a form of mental rehearsal that can really pay off in this game of life.

Now it’s your turn. Are you ready to start your own “bamboo season?” Real transformation doesn’t happen overnight—it starts deep beneath the surface. Let’s stop chasing outcomes and start planting the roots that matter.

Xo,

Related Reading:

How to Build Momentum, Accomplish Your Goals, + Create a Life You LOVE!
How to Beat the Odds and Actually Finish Your Goals | Jon Acuff
Less Is More: Accomplish Your Goals by Saying NO!
12 Lessons Failure Taught Me
Goals + Fear | How to Overcome Fear to Achieve Your Goals