New Year’s Intentions That Stick
Every January 1st brings us a new year – a new beginning. The start of a new year is a time when many people set intentions for the year to come – intentions for work and intentions for life. Most of us are great at setting them but aren’t so great at seeing them through.
If after a couple of days, weeks, or months, you forget about your new year’s intentions and fall back into old patterns, then know that you are not alone. Follow-through is definitely the hard part for most of us.
Here are 5 tips that will help you create intentions that stick for your work-life.
Set Real-Time Intentions. Create intentions using language as if you are already living into your intention in this very moment. I am… instead of I will…
Set Specific Intentions. What exactly are you creating and intending for yourself? Get as specific as you can. Details are good and important.
Set Intention Reminders. Keep your intentions visible and top of mind. Stick them up on Post-It notes, or tape them over your desk. Move them around when you no longer notice them. Play music, read poems, find or create art, wear jewelry or use your calendar regularly to help remind yourself of them and to keep them alive.
Share Your Intentions. Share your intentions with others. Put your intentions out there into the world. Don’t just keep them to yourself. Share them with your partner and 3-5 friends or family members. You can even set up daily, weekly or monthly check-ins with them for more accountability. And, invite others to join you in the process of creating intentions that stick. Then, you can support each other.
Reach big! Don’t settle or sell yourself short. Really go for it. Go to that edge where you start to feel that nervous/excited feeling. (Butterflies often signal that you are at your edge). Stretch and challenge yourself and you will fly. If you can dream it, you can do it.
Setting intentions for your work-life that stick might be new for you or may even feel challenging at first. Give it a try! A year you love living is waiting for you. Don’t let those intentions get away. This year set work-life intentions that stick.
Illustration by Jordan Awan
Thanks for sharing this, these are some important points when it comes to goal-setting. I’d also add that making sure you are using your available resources as effectively as possible is very important. For example, figure out who can help you achieve your goals!
A friend of mine actually just launched a project at AGoalPlanner.com which employs some of the same tactics in a simple to follow Goal Planner, you should check it out!