This was asked on the brilliant new Spring: Inspiration in Bloom blog: January's conversation topic is a big one: Intentions and the New Year. As you can imagine, we all have *much* to say about this subject, but we'd also love to hear your thoughts! Do you set intentions? Do you have any tried and true resolutions? Do you think there is a difference between intentions. resolutions, and goals? We would LOVE to know what thoughts, fears, ideas, and insights you brilliant people have around this topic. We'll be taping our video later this week, and it will be released in January, so please comment below, the sooner the better! it really struck a chord in me. In a few of us. The responses are wonderful and I look forward to the presentation in January.
My response (comment #2):
I believe the reason most of us fail at "New Year Resolutions" is that we take on the biggest, least attainable, thing we can find, or the biggest list we can find, or biggest flaw we perceive, and overwhelm ourselves with the need for the resolution to be met with immediate results. We fail before we even start because the mountain is just too high to clear in one leap.
I think resolution, intention, goal can be used interchangeably, but "resolution" has been given a bad rap.
I
don't necessarily set resolutions. Though, for 2010, I have set forth a
plan, a real one, with coloured markers and calendar, with a beginning,
middle and end. I am learning to keep the goal attainable and work
toward it in manageable chunks. Some months, I expect, will be better
than others. For example: one goal for next year is to lose 100 pounds.
If I constantly wrote down 100, I'd scare myself half to death; and,
eat a bag of really salty chips to soothe my fear! So, I've given
myself a year to lose +/- 10 pounds each month. The focus is on the 10,
on the process, not on the end. My need for gratification will be
greeted each month rather than waiting for the end. This process may
start on January 1, but I've spent the last six weeks or more,
researching the best way for me to succeed, I've laid a path for me to
follow in order to insure my best chance for success.
It keeps me accountable. It keeps my goals manageable. Achievable. It keeps me mindful, intentional on a sustainable path.
The part of the resolution not included in my response, (because some form of self flagellation is always required with a resolution, isn't it?), I've decided to deprive myself of any form of new clothes purchasing for the duration of 2010. I'm not a fashionista, by any stretch, but I do like looking good and wearing nice things. The problem is that even though clothes are available to those of us on the other side of size 20, they are made to go around, but rarely are they made to cover your butt, let alone your belly. What is more disgusting than a chubby person with a midriff baring top? Not much, I can tell you! At 5'11" this does create a bit of a problem. I could easily fix this problem by clicking away at Silhouettes and get some gorgeous tunics, but really, I'd like to simply get what I need when I need it! How best to do that? Fit into clothes readily available. How best to do that? Lose a bunch of weight. Sounds oh so simple. We'll see!
Continuing on the topic of resolutions, the brilliant Gretchen Rubin, from The Happiness Project has proposed monthly resolutions in an effort to make 2010 a happier year. A Year of Resolutions Challenge! Not only that, but she's proposed that we take action, sign a pledge, holding us accountable for our resolutions. You'll find me there, #1505. Her monthly outline looks like this:
- January--Body
- February--Love
- March--Work
- April--Money
- May--Mindfulness
- June--Order
- July--Spirit
- August--Fun
- September--Parenthood
- October--Friends
- November--Attitude
- December--Boot Camp Perfect
As she says, these categories are just suggestions. The important thing is to get started. Whenever you read this, and wherever you are, you are in the right place to begin. Mind you, I don't know what "Boot Camp Perfect" is in December, but hey, gotta get through 11 months before I have to worry about it!
And, on her advice, I did visit the Woman's Day Happiness Project and it is overflowing with oodles of good stuff! Be sure to check it out, much happy stuff can be found, even if you you're reluctant and moody (sometimes I find the holidays make me cranky and appreciated the quick tips and tricks).
My plan this year, as you know is to FOCUS on many aspects of my life. This is a nice, simple, realistic plan. It doesn't mean the other aspects will be ignored, but each month, FOCUS will be put on the calendar topics as Gretchen outlined above.
I really believe we can attain much more, happiness, productivity, results, joy, when there is a plan in place. As mentioned previously, I got away from doing lists and calendars and have spent the last couple of years flying by the seat of my ever-expanding pants. I just spent the past week organizing, on the computer and in my blackberry, a comprehensive calendar, lists, my plan. I'm really proud of what I've managed to create, so far. I'm thrilled with the direction I'm going.
Are you planning? What are you planning? Do you have resolutions? plans? intentions? goals?
