Setting Intentions: A New Year Inspiration

January is here!!! The busy months of early winter may have rendered you tired, discontent, anxious or ready for something different. That fresh new year naturally brings to our mind a desire to review, reflect and set a course of action for the future. It’s a fabulous time to reimagine your life! Somehow in a matter of days, the New Year that we rang in begins to take shape with new habits, practices and goals. Or at least the ideas of them. And that is sometimes where we land when the resolve softens and we fall back into patterns that may not serve our best Self. Ideas do not become consistent action.

The New Year and all of its intentions are exciting but the real work begins as we develop and sustain healthy habits. The real work is in the action behind the ideas. To be successful in cultivating new habits and practices requires focus and understanding “why” we choose certain habits, activities and boundaries. To sustain any new habit, it is essential to have dogged persistence even when we don’t much feel like it or when the enthusiasm of a fresh start wears off. Accountability partners are helpful. It requires intentionality and purpose. It requires making no excuses.

There are many resources that can assist you with self-exploration, setting new goals, establishing healthy habits, and developing your creative Self. If you're not already familiar with the book "Daily Self-Discipline: Everyday Habits and Exercises to Build Self-Discipline and Achieve Your Goals" by Martin Meadows, I encourage you to read it no matter how large or small your goals are. It's a fine place to start. Welcome the New Year! Identify your goals, create a game plan, and take action to make it all happen! Be stronger than your strongest excuse! Cheers!