New Year’s Resolutions Vs. New Year’s Intentions

Are you making New Year’s resolutions this year, or are you just making intentions? There is a difference, and depending on your personality, you may choose differently.

Every year, millions of people tend to make New Year’s resolutions with the top five:

• Getting in shape
• Eat healthier
• Be more social
• Earn more money
• Learn to be happier

That last resolution of "learning to be happier" is what drives my New Year’s intentions, and not resolutions because, in my mind, happiness is not something that can just be applied. It’s an emotion that needs to be nurtured and maintained daily.

For me, using a one-word theme helps visualize the overall intentions that I would like to help carry me through the New Year.

For example, this year, my one-word theme is "upgrade". I then begin to visualize all the upgrades that I need to make in my life, such as leveling up my health, work skills, persona, relationships, home space, so on and so forth.

Keeping an "upgrade" frame of mind helps keep the focus on my intention and has a better chance of influencing all my lifestyle choices daily, unlike setting out one particular goal.

2020 was no doubt an intense year that depleted our energy and spirits. So, this year as we look to the future, I wish you much success in all your endeavors, resolutions, and intentions, whatever they may be.