Setting New Year intentions

Intentions are simply aims and plans underpinned by purpose and drive. Setting intentions for the coming year works best when you understand a bit about how you tick and when you take some much-needed breathing space and time to explore how you have been successful in the past.

This period of reflection can help you to put the foundations in place to achieve the desired outcome more easily. It’s your tried and tested way to know it can work.

So, if you want to skip resolutions this year and go about things in a slightly different way, here’s my step-by-step guide.

How to set intentions for the year ahead

Step 1

Preparation is really important. Consider the what and the why of your intentions. I’d highly recommend saying these out loud and recording them, or writing them down. Using colour and imagery really helps, as our minds love creativity.

Step 2

Categorise your intentions. At this point, be careful of setting too many because the more difficult and challenging you make these, the less likely you are to succeed. Work on one at a time until you have made it stick.

Here’s an example:

• A. Career/business
  What: Get to know new people in creative ways - an alternative to networking.
  Why: I want to get to know new people creatively, for me and my business.
• B. Relationship
  What: Make time to listen each day.
  Why: I feel as if I’m always too busy to really hear him/her.
• C. Personal
  What: Increase my step count, working up to 10,000 per day.
  Why: It’s a simple way to increase fitness and help my mood.

Step 3

Being over-ambitious with your intentions is another stumbling block, so keep it steady and focused.

Whatever you want to achieve, make it bite-sized and be patient. Change happens over nights, not overnight. It will take time, and each day is a step closer to achieving your intention and making it stick.

Step 4

Set a timeframe and be realistic. Finding the right professional coach can help you pave the way to your own success, or you may want to have a buddy by your side. Remember, two heads are better than one.

Enjoy your holidays and make this the year you do things differently, and enjoy the sweet smell of success.