This post was originally published on December 31, 2019 and updated on December 27, 2022.
The beginning of a new year is a great time to take stock of your life and assess where you are and where you want to be. It’s the perfect time for a life vision update!
What do you want to let go of? What new things, people, and experiences do you want to allow into your life over the next year?
Many people begin a new year with a list of resolutions. But resolutions tend to be based around something you think you should be doing, rather than what you want to be doing or how you want to be feeling.
A resolution is a course of action with a firm determination. It is generally focused on something that is “wrong” with us that needs to be changed. And if we fail to achieve our course of action, we feel guilt or shame or any number of other negative emotions that strip us of our emotional well-being.
Instead of making resolutions, consider setting intentions instead.
“Intentions are the starting point of every dream—the seed of creation.” – Deepak Chopra
Unlike a resolution, which doesn’t have much wiggle room, an intention is self-directed with room to change and is adaptable to circumstances. It is the framework of your goals, enabling you to live your purpose.
An intention is something you aim to achieve, has a purpose, and is something that you actively work to manifest in your life. It is a commitment to align your actions with your values and makes you feel energized, fulfilled and balanced.
Setting Your Intentions
Where do you see yourself at the end of the year? What have you accomplished? The future may not just include achievements, such as buying a house or getting a promotion; your future vision can also contain enhanced character traits, such as being kinder or more loving, or even lifestyle changes, like traveling or spending more time with your children.
To help you create a more balanced future, separate your intentions into categories. This way you won’t be setting too many goals in one area and not giving enough attention to other areas.
Theme Word. What is your theme word for the year? Pick a word that embodies what you want to be/think/feel/do this year. This will be your guiding light through the year. If there’s a word you just feel drawn to – even if it doesn’t make sense right now, take a leap of faith and go with it.
Values. What are your core values for the coming year? What is most important to you? Your values will guide your behavior and serve as the foundation for your overall vision.
Your ‘Self’. What specific personality and character traits do you want to cultivate? What strengths do you want to develop? Who do you want to become by the end of the year?
Health & Fitness. Regarding your health and fitness, what do you want to experience this year? Do you want to have a more active lifestyle? Eat healthier? Drink more water? Do yoga every day?
Spiritual. What do you want to experience in your spiritual life? Do you want to feel closer to Source? Practice tuning into your intuition? Pray more? Spend more time in nature?
Emotions. What emotions do you want to experience on a consistent basis this year? List the emotions that you value the most and set an intention to experience them every day.
Intellectual. What do you want to experience intellectually? Do you want to continue your education? Learn something new? Listen to more audio programs? Learn about the world through travel?
Creativity. What do you want to experience in your creative life? Do you want to engage in more creative pursuits? Paint? Dance? Learn to play a new instrument?
Love Life. Do you want to experience an improved relationship? Or attract a soul mate? Heal from a breakup so you can move forward? Schedule weekly date nights with your love?
Family. What are your intentions for your family life? Spend more time together? Learn to communicate more effectively? Take a vacation together?
Social Life. What do you want to experience in your social life this year? Make new friends? Spend more time with the friends you have? Weed out the friends who are draining your energy?
Career. What do you want to experience in your career? Start your own business? Take your current business to the next level? Quit your job and find a new job that you love?
Finances. What do you want to experience financially? Increase your income? Pay off your debts? Learn how to budget your money? Release limiting beliefs that keep you struggling?
Quality of Life. What kind of experiences do you want to have that will add to your quality of life? Do you want to travel more? Add excitement and adventure to your life? Buy a new house or remodel the one you have?
Also…
What do you want to let go of that no longer serves you? Set an intention to release anything and everything that is not congruent with your life vision. You are the creator of your life and have control over what stays and what goes.
Thinking about the year ahead and setting intentions to create the best year ever will put you in the driver’s seat of your life. If you can imagine it, you can achieve it!
Setting intentions and getting out ahead of the coming year will help your life flow easier, happier and more empowered.
Happy New Year! I wish you a year full of love, wisdom, exploration, discoveries, and growth.
