Setting New Year Intentions and goals you can achieve instead of setting resolutions you won’t

4 Jan

As we approach the birth of a new year our natural cycle is to look forward, towards the return of the sun, and the awakening of the earth.

Just like when there’s a new moon or season, many of us will feel a deep need to embrace this new cycle with fresh new intentions we call resolutions.

Traditionally, new year’s resolutions are statements of change, such as ‘I will lose weight’, or ‘I will be more organised’, or a wish to start a new hobby or skill or improve our health.

Often we think we want to achieve them yet it could also be that they are things we feel we ‘should do’ instead. In this case, without a deep rooted ‘want’, we lack the commitment and connection to them which is why approximately 80% of new years resolutions fail before the end of January. Most people don’t have a plan to help them achieve the resolutions they set, and don’t put the support or accountability in place to give themselves the best chance of seeing them through.

If you’re tempted to create a list of things that you feel like you should do in 2022, then I invite you to write them down – then tear them up!

Rather than setting resolutions, which are intrinsically set to fail, consider setting either New Year Intentions, or goals instead.

What’s the difference?

A resolution is generally a resolve, decision or determination, but it often lacks the framework to deliver results.

A goal is a specific outcome with a clear path to achieve it.

Whereas an intention is the act of stating what you intend to accomplish through your thoughts, behaviours and actions. Intentions are much more likely to inspire taking inspired action.

Goal Setting

A goal is forward facing and has 3 key components which mean it’s much more likely to happen than a resolution

1. A clear, specific statement about what the outcome should be (this should be framed in the positive about what you want – avoid setting a goal that is focused on what you don’t want).

2. A realistic yet motivating action plan of how to achieve it.

3. A deadline to achieve it by.

Once you’ve done all three, create a schedule for completing your action plan. By allocating time, and knowing how you will need to best use it, it will help keep you focused on achieving your goal… with less chance of getting distracted or not knowing how best to use your time.

However, the secret ingredient in achieving a goal is the belief in your ability to do so.

Be invested in the outcome

To be successful in achieving a goal, you need to understand what is important about doing so. If you achieve it, what will it give you, or what will it mean to you? In other words, what’s the value in it?

Understanding why this is important will keep you on track and willing to tackle any obstacles that might arise on the path to success.

Be Realistic

If you feel overwhelmed by the steps you need to take in order to achieve your goal there’s a good chance that you will lose sight of the end result or give up when things get too much.

If your goal is to create a 6-figure business, but you’ve not sold your first product or service yet it can feel like too big a leap and feel daunting or unachievable.

Break your plan down into easy manageable steps, with key milestones that you can celebrate en-route. The celebration points will help you feel like you’re making progress and create a feel-good factor that will continue to keep you on track to the final milestone.

Recognise what might get in the way

Time, money and mindset all have the potential to derail the accomplishment of a goal. By identifying these you can incorporate resolving them into your action plan.

Intentions

Intentions are closer to resolutions, in that they often don’t come with an action plan to achieve them, but where they differ is the energetic charge we create when we set an intention. An intention is a commitment to what you want the journey to be about as much as the end result.

‘Intention is more than wishful thinking. It’s wilful direction’ Jennifer Williamson.

When we are intentional, we are focused in the present moment, and with that comes a particular essence of focus. Intentions can also be a great trigger for introspection. Rather than a specific deliverable as an outcome, intentions allow us to reconnect with our internal guidance system, discover what creates joy and fulfilment and learn more about who we really are.

Intentions can be set at any time and in any way. That might be by writing them down in a journal, or just mentally setting them before a yoga or meditation practice which allows insights to flow.

Are goals and intentions completely separate?

No! They can be, but you can also set an intention to support your goal. If your goal is to create a 6-figure business, your intention might be to connect with the part of you which feels successful.

The path to achieving a goal starts with the intention to take the first step.

Healing wounds

In medicine the term ‘intention’ is used for the healing process of a wound. A great intention to set might be to uncover and heal the wounds that are holding you back from achieving your goals.

We have all developed mindset blocks and emotional wounds along our journey through life (and past lives), so setting an intention to clear and release any blocks can be an empowering and healing process.

Often my client’s tell me they have already started to experience shifts even before our first call – that’s because they have set an intention to address their blocks and clear the path to achieving their goals.

What are your intentions and goals for 2022? Find me on social media or drop me an email to let me know!

About the Author

Helen Hardware