New Year’s Goals? Resolutions? Intentions…

Happy New Year!  It’s a new beginning, another chapter, or season in life.  This is the time many people make resolutions about weight loss or exercise routines.  The media knows it too.  It’s a time that commercials for new diet plans and gym memberships and equipment are “on sale.”  Even though those resolutions are for the good, they seem to disappear after only a few days or weeks.  

Rather than setting unachievable goals, why not set an intention or two?  First, let’s talk about goals.  When I first meet with a client, I ask them to set SMART goals.  The acronym stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time bound.  For me, it’s a visual way to see progress, however, the goals seem to change and move throughout our work together. Goals help us see the future and better understand what we want, create a plan, and to stay on track into the future.  However, it does take us out of the present moment and emphasizes on what we don’t already have.  One of the disadvantages of setting goals is the feeling of failure if the perceived goal is not met.  That emotional disappointment can be debilitating and for many, keeping them from trying again.

SETTING THE INTENTION

Perhaps setting intentions is a better way of making those life-long changes. By setting intentions, we are living and focused on the moment or present.  It’s a way to recognize our own value system, raises the emotional energy, thereby raising the physical energy.  By understanding and living our own values, we take back our power and are happier individuals.  Intentions give us a purpose and inspire us to achieve our purpose.  This is a life changing routine with limitless possibilities.  Setting intentions can be done all day long.  It can start with a thought of the day with going to work and how you will greet every person you come in contact with.  It can be in your car with the intention to be present and accident free to your destination.  It can be before going to a party and not indulging in foods that will not serve you well.  By making intentions throughout the day, you are living in the moment rather than the future or the past.

Intentions create a purpose of who you want to be and what you would like to contribute to the world and those around you.  How will you choose to touch others in your life?  We live in a society that says get things done and check it off the list.  However, there is more power in opening the mind and heart to receiving clarity, inspiration and guidance toward purpose.  

Goals can keep our mind on restrictions and perceived problems and will often take our focus off of something that has a positive impact on life.  Try voicing the intentions by clearly stating how you intend to feel today rather than wishing things were different, or that you felt better.  Take back your personal power.

BE PRESENT IN LIFE

We miss much in life due to distractions and thoughts of the past and the future.  Have you ever been so absorbed in thought you didn’t know where you were or what was going on around you?  Observing the little wonders of the world can provide many benefits and shift your perspective in a moment.  It’s easy to get caught up in our work, so make a point to stop occasionally and notice what you smell, what you see, what your body is saying to you.  Notice if there is sun or rain.  Can you see trees or flowers?  Who is around you?  What do you hear?

Many of us feel powerless in the global context, but small changes will result in large differences.  Setting an intention to make a difference can open the mind to ideas and opportunities to do so.  It may shift an old perspective that wasn’t serving you into a new idea.  It’s so empowering.  Take a moment and recite your intentions of the day and share your observations in the comments below.  

 Health Bite:  Show up in your own life today by setting intentions.