Wellness@Work: How to set intentions instead of resolutions 

By Michelle Ryan
mryan@health.southalabama.edu

A new year can feel like turning a new page, and the rush of a new beginning often leads us to setting New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, according to multiple studies, up to 90% of us abandon those rather quickly — some as soon as the end of January!

Most often, the reasons our resolutions fail is because they are too big or unrealistic, but that doesn’t mean you have to tackle the new year without a plan. Instead of creating rigid resolutions, consider setting intentions for 2024. They are more flexible and attainable, and they offer opportunities for growth without the immense pressure.

Setting intentions differs from traditional New Year's resolutions in several ways, and they offer these unique benefits:

• Flexibility and mindfulness: Resolutions often come with strict, all-or-nothing rules that can lead to potential feelings of failure if not achieved. Intentions, on the other hand, are flexible and open to adaptation, so they allow for a more mindful and compassionate approach to personal growth.
• Focus on being vs. doing: Resolutions tend to emphasize specific actions or outcomes, such as losing a certain amount of weight or achieving a career milestone. Setting intentions focuses more on the qualities or values you want to embody or the ways you want to show up in the world. This shift in focus encourages a deeper, more holistic approach to personal growth.
• Internal alignment: Intentions are rooted in alignment with personal values, aspirations and growth, whereas resolutions may be driven by external pressures or societal expectations. This internal alignment can lead to a more authentic and sustainable path to personal development.
• Embracing the journey: Setting intentions shifts the focus to the journey of growth rather than just the destination. This mindset encourages individuals to find value in the process, lessons learned, and personal transformation that occurs along the way, which fosters a sense of fulfillment and self-discovery.
• Adaptability and resilience: Intentions allow for adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges or changes. Rather than feeling derailed by unforeseen obstacles, individuals can adjust their intentions and continue to move forward in a way that feels aligned with their evolving circumstances.

By adopting this alternative to traditional resolutions, it’s possible to feel successful and cultivate a mindset of growth, self-discovery and resilience to carry you throughout the year.

Michelle Ryan, an E-RYT 200 yoga teacher and fitness instructor, works as a marketing specialist for USA Health. She is also a certified mindfulness instructor.   

How can you lead a longer, better life? Follow weekly Wellness@Work tips from USA Health Integrative Health and Wellness. We cover ways you can eat better, move better, be more mindful, and find more balance to support your optimal health and well-being. Learn more.