Set Your Intentions
You may have heard of this new change of pace, way of life, and lifestyle switch that’s happening with our generation. Apparently, we are doing away with old-fashion goals and new year resolutions. But we are trading it in for something fresh and sort-of-new. We are moving our efforts of change toward setting our intentions for the year. YAY! You may be like I was, lost and having no idea what people meant by setting their intentions. The most we hear about it usually is that someone had an intent to kill, a letter of intent when leaving a place of residents, or the statement” I didn’t intend to hurt your feelings.”
Even though there are similarities, setting your intentions is taking a life of its own this year.
What are Intentions?
Intentions: A thing intended, an aim, or plan; the healing process of a wound; determining a purpose mentally.
It is about who you are actively becoming to help focus on the now; it is all about the direction and not a destination.
Some may express their intentions through:
- One-word
- Phrases
- Scriptures
Whatever you need to help you focus on the process rather than the outcome. But don’t get me wrong, if you are changing the process, habits, and steps, you will surely reach your desired results.
Enough of the formal stuff.
My History With Goals
In all realness, I struggle with commitments. Either I get hyperfocused on it and crash or go at it casually and abandon them altogether. And that is not bashing myself; that is just following the patterns I’ve seen every time I set resolutions or optimistic goals. But I have also accomplished many gazelle-like goals in the past, so I know it is in me to make the changes I need to make.
And I know you probably have some stories like that too.
I recently started this phenomenal book by James Clear called “Atomic Habits.” It has blown my mind thus far. It was initially supposed to be a New Year read, but I knew it was something I had to start working on now. There was one quote I loved in the book that shifted my perspective on building new and breaking old habits:
If you want better results, then forget about setting goals. Focus on improving your system (meaning you) instead. – James Clear
So I would encourage you to check it out.
Why set intentions now?
With a new year comes new opportunities, a fresh perspective, and a new slate of 365 days. And as an old wise quote used to say, ” old ways won’t open new doors.”
The primary reason to set intentions is to keep you focused and know where you’re going without becoming co-dependent on the result. Intents allow you to become who you are, not what you have done.
My favorite go-to person, for example, is Jesus. He did everything with intent. He focused on what he knew to do to grow, change, and develop the character He needed to see his ultimate goal through. If he focused on the cross more, then I believe Jesus wouldn’t have had the strength as a Man to see His purpose through fully. But he kept his head down, focused on learning, listening, and developing.
But one thing I love about intentions is that it forces you to speak out the areas that need pruning because I know God is most potent and graceful in our lives when we can be vulnerable and confess our weaknesses. So intentions allow us to make our desires known and allow God to come alongside us. Choices don’t allow us to craft steps toward a goal but provide awareness to shift a little every day.
Some supportive scriptures:
- Psalms 33:11
- Revelation 2:23 (this one frightens me, but Jesus cares about your intentions too.)
Below I share three questions to ask yourself while creating intentions for this year.
3 Questions For Setting Your Intentions This Year
- What has God been talking to you about changing within yourself to benefit other areas in your life?
- How will your identified intentions help another and improve your relationships? Or is it all about you?
- Since intentions aren’t per se goals but a declaration of becoming, who would you want to become due to your intentions?
Yes, those are some heavy hitter questions but they are also necessary. Therefore, make sure you take time and answer these as you go through the process of establishing your intentions this year.
My intention for this upcoming year is: Freedom through discipline
Honestly, God has been working tirelessly on me regarding my discipline. Procrastination has been a foe for far too long, and I have seen the damage and bondage it has caused over the years. I no longer want to associate myself with that word.
Like, have you ever spent time in a thesaurus since you’ve been out of school? Awkwardly, I do. I use synonyms and antonyms to see things in their entirety and understand them. So here is what I found on my journey to combat procrastination once and for all:
- Synonyms:
- avoidance,
- waiting
- second thought
- doubt,
- indecisiveness,
- uncertainty
- reluctance,
- unwillingness
- faltering,
- fence-sitting,
- shilly-shallying,
- wavering,
- faintheartedness,
- timidity
- Antonyms:
- eagerness,
- readiness
- certainty,
- confidence,
- decisiveness,
- determination,
- firmness,
- sureness
I want people to describe me as more of the latter. It hits different with the thesaurus, though. What the heck is shily-shallying? I don’t want to be known for that.
Before I close, I would like to share with you other blog post that can support you this year and the years to come:
- 5 Changes To Make For More Success This Year
- Single Mom Goals Revamped
- 12 Tips To Begin Leading Yourself In Life
All in all,
With intention setting comes eagerness, focus, seriousness, and proper planning. No matter what route you may take concerning your new year, know that you should be becoming even more of who you have always been each time.
What are your intentions this year?
If you need additional support setting your intentions confidently, I encourage you to reach out for a Confidence Chat.
And if you want to stay connected with resources for confidence building. Join the new Women Seeking Confidence Facebook Group here.
