Set Intentions, Not Resolutions
At the beginning of any New Year, most of us want to make changes that will help us cultivate the best year possible.
That being said, how can you start the New Year putting the best foot forward?
Start by NOT making any resolutions. Why? Most people that set resolutions fail with them by mid-February. And, when a resolution fails, people end up feeling down, defeated and discouraged.
Who wants to feel that at the beginning of the year (or ever, who are we kidding)?!?!
Instead of a resolution, try setting an INTENTION for the New Year.
What is an intention? An intention is a statement that encompasses a broader, more positive mindset…..which allows for flexibility and growth.
Intentions encourage you to cultivate a desired state of being rather than trying to change something specific.
You can set an intention with three specific things in mind:
FLEXIBILITY – Allow yourself to adapt and adjust to changes in life. Example: “I want to be the healthiest I can be this year.” (This still allows you to experience life and eat out for celebrations and have cake on birthdays).
FOCUS – Concentrate on the overall feeling you want to cultivate.
Example: “I want to feel comfortable in my own skin” and NOT “I will lose 10 pounds.”
MINDSET – Focus on what you want to bring into your life, as opposed to what you want to “fix.” Example: “I want to feel more energy on a daily basis.”
Focusing on an intention helps you to consider your values and priorities and offers you an opportunity to put those into practice. Focusing on what you want to achieve can actually be fun and more motivating than feeling like you need fix something negative about yourself.
As you set intentions you strengthen a mindset that guides everything…..your actions, emotions, and thoughts…. toward a desired way of being and living.
