Resolutions vs. Goals: Setting Powerful Intentions for the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Is it really 2019 already? You’ve likely already been inundated with messages demanding that we make a list of lofty goals for a “new and better you.” Cue the cliche New Year’s resolutions that will be stored in the mental files of things to feel guilty about by January 15th. Nah, I think I’ll pass. While intentions for setting New Year’s Resolutions are undoubtedly positive, I feel like they’ve evolved into an obligatory practice that isn’t always very inspiring. I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions – not because I don’t believe in self-betterment and goal setting. Rather, I have embraced a concept of continuous self-improvement that flows throughout the whole year, not just January 1st.

My mantra encompasses splitting up long-term goals into multiple short-term goals, going with the flow, and constant self-reflection. Here are a couple of ways I like to keep myself on track! (Hint: they don’t involve dumping a load of forgettable New Year’s resolutions on the first day of the year.)

Resolutions vs. Goals

• trying to attack multiple big goals all at once vs. inching towards milestones over time
• setting overwhelming resolutions once a year vs. setting more realistic goals weekly or monthly
• waiting until next year to evaluate what I have/haven’t accomplished vs. celebrating little victories at a time
• starting 2018 with a ton of pressure and anxiety vs. embracing “go with the flow”
• feeling stuck with the resolutions set at the beginning of the year vs. adapting expectations and priorities according to life changes
• holding yourself accountable to resolutions that may no longer be important to you vs. leaving room for new opportunities that may pop up unexpectedly

Why wait for one day to make major decisions when you have 364 equally valuable goal-setting days? (Besides, you were probably too hungover on January 1st to think straight.) A lot can change in a year, and that means our goals and expectations will likely change too. Setting big New Year’s resolutions for ourselves early on may be setting ourselves up for failure – even though we’re really just adapting and changing our priorities. Perhaps setting New Year’s Resolutions works for you. If so, that’s fantastic! Keep doing what you’re doing. But today I wanted to share an alternative perspective just to keep you on your toes.

Cheers to coasting into 2019 unburdened, expecting the unexpected and tossing New Year’s resolutions out the window!

originally published on honeydewblog.com