Five Steps to Create Your New Year’s Intentions

It’s that time of year again. The time when one year draws to a close and another one opens. It’s the perfect time for reflection, and it’s the time when people are most motivated to set their yearly goals going forward.

For my goal setting, I like the term New Year’s “intention” rather than “resolution.” To me, “resolution” implies that something is broken and needs fixing. That’s not true, in my mind, and it doesn’t motivate me. But “intention” does. “Intention” implies that this year is a journey, a continuation of everything I’ve worked hard for the year before. It acknowledges that what I choose to do today will either make my life easier and more in alignment with my values, or my actions can take me further away from my goals. I like the mindfulness that “intention” implies, and that’s what I want to cultivate in the new year.

There are a lot of opinions about how to set intentions or goals, and I’ve tried quite a few of them. But to be honest, most of the methods don’t have staying power, which is what I wanted above all else. After a week or two, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you what my goals had been, much less would I follow through on them.

Over the past several years, I’ve honed a method of goal setting that works for me, and I wanted to share it with you in case it works for you, too. I usually take a few days to a week for this process because ideas and thoughts will keep coming up along the way. So sit down with a journal (or the “Notes” section of your phone), and let’s get started!

Step 1: Reflection

The first thing I do is reflect back on the past year. I look through the photo album of my phone and my calendar, and I make a list of the things, people, feelings, and experiences that I want to continue forward in the new year. For example, if I had dinner with a good friend or interesting person, I’d want to make a note to schedule more time with them in the future. Or maybe it’s travel that made your heart sing, or a certain business goal, or completing a marathon. Write down what you want more of, and focus on how it made you FEEL.

The same is true for experiences in your life that you’d like to let go. Are there people who drain your energy, or commitments that you’d like to offload? Make an intention to give those up and free up space for the good things to come.

Step 2: Gratitude

The next thing I do is make a list of the things, experiences, and people that I’m grateful for in my life. Write down the things that you have right now that you used to pray for. Think of the goals you’ve accomplished and the dreams that you’ve made a reality. I love this step because it shows you that no goal is too big or crazy because you’ve already made some pretty big and crazy things happen. Being grateful for the good in your life will only reinforce that you are able to achieve the things you set your mind to, and that intention setting isn’t a futile exercise. You can truly turn your intentions into your reality. You already have.

Step 3: Brainstorm

Based on your past experiences, and with an attitude of gratitude, what intentions do you want to set for the new year? Think big and don’t filter this step – there is no goal that is too large or too specific. You can have different timeframes for your goals – one month to one year, or even longer. Just write down whatever comes to mind. If you’re having trouble getting started, I’ve found it’s helpful to think in categories. Here are the areas of my life that have helped me set my goals:

Health & Wellness

Focal Relationship

Friends

Family

Finances

Work & Learning

Spiritual/Personal Growth

Recreation

Step 4: Your Big Three

Look at your brainstorming list. Read it over again. This should give you a picture of where you see your life going. Envision yourself in five, ten, twenty years, and at the end of your life. What things will matter, and what will you be most proud of? What things would you like to release? Through this lens, narrow your focus to a few things you’ll say “yes” to this year, and some things you’ll let go. I like to narrow it down to three things. That way I’ll actually remember them, and I’ll have the bandwidth to work towards each of them specifically.

Step 5: Write It Down

Write your “big three” goals in the middle of a piece of paper or a notecard. Around those, feel free to write any of your other intentions that resonate most with you. You can use that space to expand on your goals and aspirations for the new year. Make sure that each goal that you choose is something that you authentically want – not something that someone else wants for you. Feel free to add photos, pictures, objects, or anything else if you’re a visual person. Finally, put your goals away in a private space. Don’t share them. These are for you. That way, you can dream as big and as crazy as you want, without judgment. Go back to your goals as often as you can. I like to look at mine on the first of every month to get inspired and to track my progress.

I hope that helps you nail down your intentions, and I have no doubt that you’ll crush them. I’d love to hear what some of your intentions are in the comments! Happy New Year!

xo,

Gina