Trading Resolutions for Resilience in 2017

EDITOR'S NOTE: Special thanks to Kelly Meredith for writing today's blog post. You can connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Last month, we brought you some tips for making new company and department goals that your team can actually stick to (and can make any time of year). But I wanted to expand on the old concept of new years resolutions from a more individual lens, since I think it’s safe to say that many of us can easily get down on ourselves for not sticking to those lofty ambitions. Let’s face it, it’s an all too familiar tale...

January arrives and we are energized by the promise of a fresh start, a blank slate, a brand New Year! We are full of hopes, goals and ambitions -- but before you know it, old habits and patterns re-surface, life gets busy, and our lofty resolutions move to the back-burner ... sore reminders of unmet aspirations.

Several years ago, after one too many failed attempts at “New Year’s Resolutions,” I made the decision to abandon resolutions all together. I realized that I needed a way of setting goals that was resilient and responsive to real life. I needed something that would stick with me all year long, not simply fade away by early spring. With that in mind, I veered away from resolutions, setting my first New Year’s Intention.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of intention setting, let me take a moment to explain. According to Mindfulness Coach and Meditation Instructor, Melissa Eisler, “An intention is a guiding principle for how you want live, be, and show up in the world.” It is a means for focusing your attention, thoughts and actions to better align yourself with your core values.

Rather than a finite, and oftentimes arbitrary goal (aka: New Year’s Resolution) that can be abandoned when not attained, an intention is a frame of mind that can be continually re-visited throughout the year. Intentions create a way for you to remain grounded in your values while moving forward with your personal goals, and they are resilient to the inevitable fluctuations of life.

January of this year, I set an intention, which I will share with you now:

“There is joy and beauty in uncertainty, stay flexible to the unexpected twists and turns of life and be patient with yourself and others.”

As I reflect on this intention, I know that it is ambitious, but that’s part of the beauty. It’s not about the momentary achievement of an end goal, rather a practiced commitment to more fully live life each day. It’s not about getting it perfect, it’s about continuing to try.

As we head into February, I invite you to take a moment to reflect on goals you may have set for yourself in this coming year. Perhaps you are disillusioned from failed efforts of the past and didn’t bother to set any goals this year, OR perhaps you simply don’t like the idea of New Year’s resolutions. Whatever the case may be, I invite you to take a moment to consider what intention you might set for yourself in 2017. Perhaps you want to practice self-compassion, or act with courage, or foster more joy in your life. The point isn’t what you choose, it’s your intention to set your own resilient goal!

As this year barrels forward, take time periodically to re-visit your intention. Remember, it’s not about succeeding or failing, being good or bad, it’s about staying grounded, centered and living each day of your life to the fullest. Let us know how it goes!