Intentions vs. Resolutions: How to Shift Your Mindset in the New Year

Intentions vs. Resolutions: How to Shift Your Mindset in the New Year

Oh, tis the season for resolutions and promises that 80% of the population won’t keep or maintain. I, too, used to be in the number of making promises to do things with little to no framework or plan as to how to keep them and honor them. So these days, I’m not in the business of making resolutions. No stress inducing expectations of myself that will somehow leave me the polar opposite of happy later on. Over the years, as I’ve honed my spiritual and self-love practice, I’ve replaced resolutions with intentions. Being intentional in my living, my loving, my serving, my growing and G.L.O.W.ing. 

So what’s the difference between resolutions and intentions?

Resolutions

A resolution is like a goal ‒ for example, someone might state that they want to lose weight or get a new job. Resolutions are a firm decision to do or not to do something. They’re strict, with absolutely no wiggle room or room for error. It’s a sink or swim kind of deal. Ummm, can you say stressful??? That’s why they are often out of sight and mind by February.

Intentions

An intention, however,  is a practice that requires us to be present in the moment. As opposed to being stuck in the past or too focused on the future. It’s something you aim for, yes but more of an idea or concept you mean to carry out or embody. They are much less rigid and open-ended in possibility. This allows more room for grace for growth.

So in this new year, let’s reframe what that means for you.

Quick Fun Fact…

Did you know that the new year has multiple dates depending on the culture and calendar in which you use.  We abide by the Gregorian calendar where Jan 1 is the first day of the new year. However, there are other calendars in use that celebrate the new year in February, March, April, July-August, September, and October! 

When it all boils down to it, every day is a new year and a new opportunity for you to make a change so that you can Grow & Live Optimally Well.

How do you make the shift? 

Well, here’s an example. Let’s use an example of a goal to lose weight in the New Year. Instead of stating, “I’m going to lose a certain number of pounds this year,” try shifting to a more open-ended statement (i.e. intention), such as “I’m going to be more kind to and accepting of my body this year” or “I’m going to strive to take in all that is good this year.”

This shift in statements now allows you the opportunity to create smaller intentions that enable you to incorporate the larger intention. Similar to the way you’d set a large goal and then create smaller goals as stepping-stones to reach it, you can start with intentions that focus on the present.

Using the same example, your smaller intentions can look and sound like “I’ll feed my body with nutritious food today,” “I’ll move my body in ways that feel good for me,” and “I’ll prioritize going to sleep at a reasonable hour.” Each day that you practice your smaller intentions, you’ll move closer to realizing your larger intention ‒ without putting so much pressure on the future.

How to use intentions and resolutions in business

This same structure can be implemented in your business or company. Set targets and goals, YES but add to it the element of setting intentions. I like to think of intention setting as the cushion or pillow beneath my targets. As you set your daily, quarterly, and annual goals and targets, inevitably you won’t hit them ALL. That’s just the nature of the system right? However, in adding the layer of intentions, even when you don’t hit your numbers, your intentions serve as a propelling force to keep up the momentum. Think of it as the super fluffy pillow that cushions the egg when it lands and bounces back up for you to catch without breaking. Did you get the visual? This positive driving force often incorporates better outcomes and culture in the workplace. 

Intentions and resolutions should be used hand in hand in business for maximum growth and reduced stress. Setting company wide intentions as well as employee intentions can focus on what is needed in the present and how that can impact the future. 

Oftentimes, it’s easy to skip to the future without that present focus. It can lead to increased pressures and stresses that limit productivity in your company and less than optimal culture in the workplace. Investing in the life blood of your company is an investment IN the company (present and future) for maximum growth and productivity.

In order to know where you are going, you have to know where you currently are. If you’re ready to really make your health and life a priority to maximize your success to grow and G.L.O.W., there are 3 ways I can help: 

1. Take your FREE Wellness Assessment (Quiz) and schedule your debrief. It’s an informative assessment that taps into your 4 primary pillars of wellness to gauge where you are and serve as a compass for maximizing your health and wellness journey. 
2. Join our free GHealth call every 1st Tuesday at 7pm EST. It’s where you can come to learn and discuss various health topics to ensure that you are truly living whole, well, and free. Bring your questions and I’ll see you there!
3. Schedule a Connection Call. Whether you’re looking for personal health or speaking and corporate training, let’s start with a conversation to see how I may serve you. Health is a journey both individually and collectively and it governs performance on both personal and professional levels. 

Looking forward to serving you. It’s WHOLE Health for your WHOLE self. 

Love & Blessings!

Dr. Nicole