"It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line"-Erma Bombeck
Happy New Year Beautiful People!!! It's never too late to wish all of you the best in 2021. It's great to be back on this platform!
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This year instead of the usual new year's resolution, I thought to welcome the new year with an intention (action and words). The slight change to how you set your goal can actually improve your success in achieving whatever it is that you desire. Now, you may ask, "isn't resolution and intention the same?" I can see where it can be seen as such being that they are often used in the same context; however there is a subtle, yet important difference between the two.
In a recent article from Inc., it defines a resolution as a "demand that we place upon ourselves where there is no room for failure, though failure is pretty much inevitable." A resolution is a specific goal that for the most part is firm and fixed. Individuals often make resolutions because they feel that something is lacking in their lives; therefore when the resolution is not achieved, those who take resolutions seriously may label it as a failure which is a harsh reaction, that sometimes leads to feelings of shame, inadequacy, and guilt.
According to U.S. News & World Report, "by the second week of February, some 80 percent of those resolution-ers are back home with a new kind of remorse staring back at them in the mirror." On the other hand, an intention is setting your attention towards a goal. It is an attitude, a way of being that helps you focus your energy and powers toward achieving that goal.
Intention is more fluid and allows for refinement and adjustments along the way. When an intention as oppose to a resolution is set, you stop thinking about wanting what you do not have and start channeling your energy toward what you want to achieve. If you happen to find yourself straying from your intention, you are less likely to feel that all is lost since you are moving towards your potential goal. With intentions, you simply readjust, recommit, and keep moving towards that goal. Setting an intention is far kinder and often times more effective in terms of achieving a goal.
Let's take the most popular new year's resolution-HEALTH
Instead of setting a resolution to lose 15 pounds, ask yourself, "what's keeping me from being healthier?" or "why do I want to be healthier?" It might be that you've had an intense year in every aspect of your life and need to find BALANCE, or that you want to be healthier in order to be your best optimal physical (and mental) self. Your word of intention may be BALANCE or HEALTH-words of intention remind you of your why, of what's most important. It's a reminder of where you want to focus your attention and energy.
I believe that you ultimately set yourself up for success by skipping resolutions and setting (as well as stating) intentions. You may be surprised at what is possible when we move and speak with intention.
What would you like to create with your intention? If you are stumped, here are some tips to establishing your word/s of intention:
What is a value you want more of in your life?
What is a challenge or challenges you want to overcome?
What are you most passionate about and want to do more of?
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