New Year's Intentions

January 6th, 2019

I'm not too subtle about the fact that I’m not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. But this generally boils down to three facts:

1. Good habits and change can happen any day of the year!

2. Often the holiday season is the hardest time to start a new routine - because there is none! (for some)

3. For those with failure-anxiety, it makes a recovery that little bit harder. I mean if you decide sometime in March to eat healthy and fall back into bad habits in April, there is nothing stopping you from shrugging your shoulders, chalking it up to a stressful month and starting over in May. However if it is a New Year resolution, there is a long way until the next January....

Take the word 'resolution'. It has resolve about it. It is firm. Decisive. Strong. Empowered.

And that is great - but you need to be firm, decisive, strong and empowered.

And sometimes that takes time.

And more change from the inside.

Now let's look at the word 'intention'. Granted it doesn't sound anywhere near as strong. In fact the meaning is 'an aim' or 'a plan'.

Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to fail. Be clear about your intention. Set an aim, or a plan. Do everything you can to see the plan come to pass and achieve your goals. If the wheels fall off, readjust your plan and keep on going.

In philosophy, the word 'intention' is used in logic as the conceptions formed by directing the mind towards an object. If you focus and direct your mind towards your goal, and continue to do so every time you trip up or take a step back, you will find that you will develop those qualities that you need for resolution - firm, decisive, strong and empowered. But not in order to achieve your goal - you will develop them as you achieve your goal!

Resolution, intention - whatever you may call them is actually irrelevant. What is important is that you own them, make a plan to achieve them and direct your mind toward succeeding. And if February rolls around and the plan has come undone a little, remember that tomorrow is a good a day as any to start again.

#goalsetting #success #goals #lifestyle