I want to talk a little about setting intentions. We're a few weeks into a new calendar year, and it's been a long time since I've updated this blog (let's not count the months... or years).
Our culture invests a lot of energy in setting new year goals, resolutions. I also did for a long time, and sometimes I still do. However, I've let go of the need to start a goal in January.
A few years ago, New Year's Eve came along and I was wrapped up in planning the evening. Once the night hit, I realized I'd fallen behind on a very important task - I hadn't written any resolutions! I actually panicked. A weight of anxiety settled on my chest because I was worried I would miss my opportunity to start the new year off right if I didn't pause what I was doing and write them down right then.
Yikes.
Here's another. It's very easy to create a goal without considering the intention behind it. Or the baby steps needed to achieve it. Let's take the every popular goal - losing weight as an example. This is in no way a bad goal. I've had this goal, and there have been many years that my motivation peters out over the first two months and I eventually forget the goal. Except in moments of vulnerability when negative self-talk enters my mind. Why couldn't I follow through? Should I just give up all together and wait until next year to try again? And my favorite, if I can't stick exactly to the goal, is it even worth it to pick it back up?
First of all, the negative talk has got to go. And this brings me to my main point on intention. If we build in too much structure to the goal, we can set ourselves up for failure. We don't allow "human moments" where we fall short or just get busy with life. It's ok to pick up goals throughout the year, establish and reestablish a pattern. Ultimately, life is constantly shifting and we are constantly adjusting to it. Shouldn't we adjust our goals as well?
Our culture invests a lot of energy in setting new year goals, resolutions. I also did for a long time, and sometimes I still do. However, I've let go of the need to start a goal in January.
A few years ago, New Year's Eve came along and I was wrapped up in planning the evening. Once the night hit, I realized I'd fallen behind on a very important task - I hadn't written any resolutions! I actually panicked. A weight of anxiety settled on my chest because I was worried I would miss my opportunity to start the new year off right if I didn't pause what I was doing and write them down right then.
Yikes.
Here's another. It's very easy to create a goal without considering the intention behind it. Or the baby steps needed to achieve it. Let's take the every popular goal - losing weight as an example. This is in no way a bad goal. I've had this goal, and there have been many years that my motivation peters out over the first two months and I eventually forget the goal. Except in moments of vulnerability when negative self-talk enters my mind. Why couldn't I follow through? Should I just give up all together and wait until next year to try again? And my favorite, if I can't stick exactly to the goal, is it even worth it to pick it back up?
First of all, the negative talk has got to go. And this brings me to my main point on intention. If we build in too much structure to the goal, we can set ourselves up for failure. We don't allow "human moments" where we fall short or just get busy with life. It's ok to pick up goals throughout the year, establish and reestablish a pattern. Ultimately, life is constantly shifting and we are constantly adjusting to it. Shouldn't we adjust our goals as well?
Comments
Post a Comment