2019 is here. And, though it arrived in a whirlwind, I am glad it has finally come.
For some, myself included, the transition to a new year signifies a time of renewal; a chance to shed the proverbial skin of the previous year’s self. It serves as a time for reflection when we honor our accomplishments, confront personal vices, and recognize mistakes. Overall, the new year gives us consent to make a significant change.
We have been conditioned to believe that each new year should be welcomed with a laundry list of goals, and very high expectations, that will ultimately lead to living our ideal lives and achieving our perfect self.
You might recognize the pattern. It goes:
1. Set astronomical personal goals
2. Execute them for a short period
3. Lose momentum after goals are failed to be met
4. Fall back into old patterns
5. Drown in guilt, and resume negative thought patterns
6. Repeat cycle the following year
Sound familiar?
Now, there are those that are successful at accomplishing their resolutions, and for that, deserve an applause for their achievements; however, that does not represent the majority of us. What I have learned throughout my own pattern of setting and failing numerous resolutions, is that we immediately set ourselves up for failure when we assign our personal value to the high expectations we hold ourselves to; when we base our worth on how many goals we can check off our list. That is where we do ourselves a disservice.
Which is why setting intentions, rather than resolutions, leads to greater fulfillment and success. The world-renowned pioneer of integrative medicine and personal transformation, Deepak Chopra, states that an “intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love.”
Here are three reasons why 2019 should be the year you should ditch resolutions and start setting intentions. Or, if you must, make a resolution to stop making resolutions, and begin setting intentions instead.
1. Our intentions are a reflection of our true authentic self, versus resolutions, which often mirror the superficial version of self. An example would be instead of aiming to lose 20 pounds, set the intention to be more mindful of the food you eat and show yourself kindness by making better food choices.
2. Author, and intention setting guru, Chandresh Bhardwaj, states that “setting an intention is like drawing a map of where you wish to go — it becomes the driving force of your higher consciousness. Without an intention, there is no map, and you’re just driving down a road with no destination in mind.” Who doesn’t need direction?
3. Setting intentions gives you the chance to take a closer look at the things that motivate you, and what aspects of your life are most important. Realizing our true motivators, aid us in deciding what we really aim to achieve, versus what society tells us we need to achieve, to be deemed successful.
So, make this year, a year of abundance, happiness and ultimate fulfillment. And, in the words of the amazing Oprah Winfrey, “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”