By Vania Pokraeva
A fresh start
Starting with a clean slate is very appealing to a lot of people as it gives anyone a chance to forgive and forget anything in the past that could be labeled as a mistake or a failure.
Now that January has passed, the talk and race about new year’s resolutions has quieted down. But you may be one of those people who, come first of January had already written down everything (in a special for that purpose notebook) and even broken down the goals per category and month. That’s an aspirational thought, an exercise I have attempted many times, sometimes with great results, but not always.
Since a new month presents us with another chance to start afresh here is a thought that may help you still set your intentions for this year if you haven’t done this yet:
Someone told me couple of weeks ago “Why would you set New year’s resolutions? If you have to do it, this means that something is not going well now”. Well, I disagree, if I would like to grow in certain area, whether nourish my mind or body or experience any kind of mental growth I surely have to do something different or more that what I am doing now. Especially now, when working from home is the new normal in the last two years. Everything is so much harder or challenging, whether maintaining a social life, going to the gym or eating healthy.
Intentions vs resolutions
Now more than ever before, we reflect on our personal life, career, or relationships. What might help is to set intentions instead of resolutions. Apparently setting intentions is much more successful than setting resolutions: I want to live healthier lifestyle vs I want to lose certain weight. Because let’s be honest when you achieve your resolution of losing weight or not drinking for a month for example, you are likely to slip right back in the old habits, which makes this whole exercise quite frustrating and yes, not much changes in the long run.
Intentions present your vision for yourself in the future, they are the burning lights on your path, the purpose for your future.
Have a big vision but take small steps
All it takes is to start visualizing what is it that you would like to achieve in your personal or professional life. Draw a picture in your mind of your future self, is it ‘The Healthier You’, ‘The Creative You’, ‘The Truthful You’, ‘The Mindful Leader’ and so on.
Ask yourself the question ‘What I find important?’ and ‘Why do I find it important?’, this will help you define your intentions.
In this way you are making a change that you encourage.
Enough talking, here are some examples:
‘I want to live healthier lifestyle’
‘I want to become a mindful leader that leads by example’
‘I want to cultivate my creativity’
Having the guidance helps to keep you on track. So, when you see yourself as the future ‘Creative You’ and your intention is to cultivate your creativity, you suddenly see yourself picking up an old hobby or starting a new one. Take small steps in whatever you decide to do and be consistent with it, be inspired by your own achievements.
So, don’t wait up to set up your intentions next Monday, next Month or next Year, start visualizing your future self now!
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