Setting Intentions

I led a workshop a few years ago on setting intentions. I offered this for a personally selfish reasons: my habit every January would be to look at what I didn’t like about myself and resolve to make changes in concrete ways. I would begin the year carrying those actions out, and they would work until some time in February. Sure, it felt good for a week. Then it became an increasingly burdensome chore until the burden was great enough for me to stop doing them.

As a result, I wanted to see if there was a different approach that would be more sustainable. That’s when I discovered the idea of setting intentions. 

Making resolutions and setting intentions may seem very similar on the surface, but they are very different. Resolutions begin with judging yourself wanting or wrong in some way; intentions don’t judge at all. Resolutions can be a kind of disciplinary punishment (at least mine were); intentions celebrate who you are. Resolutions are based on “should”: I should eat healthier”, “I should work out more”; intentions are based on personally held values that give your life meaning.

Setting intentions works beautifully for me. They feed me. Now, at the beginning of the year, I look back to see how I did with my intentions from the past year: how they worked for me, how I’d grown as a result, what I learned from the experience, and what I want to focus on this year.

Setting intentions feeds my spirit. I hope it feeds your spirit too.

Quote of the Week

I don't have any control over what actually happens except for that I have full control over my will for myself, my intention, and why I'm there. That's all that matters.

• SZA

How to set the right goals and stay motivated

Announcements

At times we need more  - we know the logic, know what to do. And yet something is still blocking us.  As a registered psychotherapist and life coach, I offer individual one-on-one consultations.  For more information, visit my website or contact me directly at maryanne@thejoyofliving.co