Hi ProAgers!
Happy New Year To Me!
It’s my birthday month! Think about it, our birthdays are our very own personal New Year celebration. This is the one day of the entire year that is all about you. People gather, there is celebration, great food, presents and fun memorable experiences. The whole year ahead, starting on your birthday, is your personal year to plan and set goals anyway you like! Check out my blog post “Let’s Talk Birthdays” to find out more about how I truly feel about them.
Most of the population like to start their New Year, January 1 with resolutions. I like to start my New Year on my birthday with intentions. What do I intend to accomplish by this time next year? How will I feel physically?
You’ve heard it a thousand times and most likely this applies to you too. You make
New Year resolutions and they fizzle out quickly, for whatever reason. This is why
I like to set birthday New Year intentions. Let me break this down a little to show
you the difference.
When applied to goals for good health and personal growth, both resolutions and intentions can be beneficial, but in different ways. They are both about setting goals
for yourself, but they differ in several key aspects.
Focus:
Resolution: Focuses on achieving specific, measurable goals, often in a fixed timeframe, like losing weight by summer or quitting smoking in the new year. Read my blog post “Start S.M.A.R.T” for more on this subject.
Intention: Focuses on cultivating a certain mindset or habit, often broader and more open-ended than resolutions. It's about choosing a direction and guiding principle for your actions, rather than solely aiming for a specific outcome.
Mindset:
Resolution: Often characterized by a strict or rigid mindset with a clear "success" or "failure" outcome. This can lead to feelings of guilt or disappointment if the goal isn't achieved.
Intention: Associated with a more flexible and compassionate mindset. The focus is on the journey and progress rather than achieving a specific end result. This fosters self-acceptance and allows for adjustments along the way. Re-visit my blog post “Are you 80/20 or 100” for my take on this.
Ultimately, both resolutions and intentions can be valuable tools for personal growth. Choosing the approach that best resonates with you and aligns with your goals can make a significant difference in your success and overall well-being.
Here's how to leverage both approaches as it relates to good health:
Set SMART resolutions: Make your resolutions Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of a vague resolution to "get healthier," aim to "walk 30 minutes 3 times a week for the next 3 months."
Combine resolutions with intentions: Couple your SMART resolutions with an intention that supports them. For example, while aiming to "walk 30 minutes 3 times a week," add the intention to "be mindful of my body and enjoy movement."
Focus on the journey: Celebrate progress along the way, not just reaching the final destination. This fosters self-compassion and keeps you motivated during setbacks.
If you did set a New Year’s resolution, how’s that going? On target? Struggling? Would you like help getting back on track or need an accountability partner? Or, would you like to set a new intention for the rest of the year, next month or this week. It’s never too late. “Let’s Talk” I can help you with that.
As I celebrate my 67th year, it is my intention to continue following “The Path” I created to great health with the support of my dear family and friends.
Proud to be a ProAger!
Cindy,
Health and Wellness Guide
ProAge Wellbeing