Resolution – rez-uh-loo-shun
Meaning – a definite decision to do or not to do something (1)
Intention – in-ten-shun
Meaning – what you intend or plan to do, your aim (1)
New Year, new beginnings? The 1st January often feels like the ideal time to make the changes that you want to see in your life. A better job, less stress, healthier lifestyle ect. with hope and expectations in our hearts, we make big promises to ourselves to improve on the things that we are not happy with.
According to studies, only 12% (2) of people are successful at sticking to their resolutions and it is easy to see why. As with any decision that you make, if it is too big it will very quickly feel overwhelming and unrealistic, setting you up for failure.
Common sense tells us that breaking it down into achievable bite sized chunks will enable us to succeed by taking it one step at a time. But even then, our resolve can be demolished.
So how about reinforcing our resolutions by adding intention?
The art of intention setting
Intention setting is the practice of stating what you would like to achieve, and what you desire. Just like setting resolutions, it is a commitment that you make to yourself about what you wish to accomplish.
When you are setting an intention, you are sending a message to the universe and to yourself about who you are, what you want to be, how you would like your life to look, and how you would like to be of service to others.
With clarity around your identity, your beliefs, and your values, you will show up to the world in a much more authentic way. You will make choices and decisions that are more aligned with your inner truth and knowing.
Intention setting is a powerful tool that can help focus the mind and truly identify what it is that you need to be happy and fulfilled, in both your personal and work life. Adding intention to your resolutions will make them tangible and take them to another level.
How to set resolutions with intention
There are some guidelines to keep in mind when setting your resolutions with intention…
- Do not overthink or overcomplicate it.
- Be realistic but at the same time be ambitious.
- Write in the present tense as if it is already in action and in a positive tone.
- Ensure that they are attainable and flexible by giving them scope to grow and evolve as you do.
By seeing and feeling what it is that you want for yourself you are creating an emotional attachment to it, making it more meaningful and realistic. Set yourself up for success by creating a ritual out of resolution setting.
Put pen to paper
- Prepare your environment, light a candle or an incense stick, making sure you are free from distractions.
- Sit for a few minutes and focus on your breath, this will help you quieten, and focus your mind.
- See what you desire in your mind and notice how it makes you feel.
- Believe that what it is that you want is attainable and real.
- Release them to the universe.
Follow up
Revisit your resolutions often, they are not set in stone and should not feel rigid or restricting. If it no longer feels in alignment with your path, change it to something that is a better fit.
Final note
The end of the year is often a time of reflection on our achievements, successes or maybe lack of them. This year instead of making unrealistic resolutions, take time to sit with the why and the how, paying particular attention to how it feels.
Reinforce resolutions by understanding the intention behind them, making them more powerful and less likely to be broken.
You have the freedom and the power to choose how you wish to live your life and how you would like it to look.
I would love to get to know my readers, please post a comment and let me know if you found this article interesting.
Thank you for reading.
Sources
(1) https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/ (2)https://yougov.co.uk/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2020/12/30/new-years-resolutions-2020-and-2021
Karen Eccles, founder of Pilates From Within, has been teaching Pilates for over a decade; specialising in classical Pilates. She has trained hundreds of clients on their journey to improved health and wellbeing through a combination of Pilates practice, Energy and Sound Healing; a unique blend of practices that alleviates physical symptoms resets emotions and brings equilibrium and a sense of wellbeing. www.pilatesfromwithin.com
