Happy New Year, friend!
I hope this newsletter finds you in good health and good spirits. Perhaps with the turn of the new year, you set some resolutions.
If so, that’s great!
Just burn them now.
Somewhat kidding, but not really, because today’s newsletter will explain why intentions could be a better way to create lasting change.
After reading this letter, you might consider modifying your resolutions to be intentions instead.
With that said, let’s dive in.
Why I’m not in love with resolutions
An article from Ohio State University School of Business states only 9% of people fulfill their resolutions.
I’m a bit skeptical about the data they pulled, so I’ll have to dig a bit deeper into that research. However, other statistics from the article state that 23% of resolution setters quit after the first week, and 43% quit by the end of the month, which seems more accurate.
However, I’m more interested in what those failures do to someone’s confidence.
That point I’ll get into shortly.
First, I want to touch on the difference between outcomes versus processes.
Reason 1: Resolutions are outcome-oriented; intentions are process-oriented
We strive for outcomes, but outcomes are out of our control.
We can try our hardest to accomplish a goal and still fall short. We can do everything in our power and it still isn’t enough.
I’m not trying to be cynical here, just pragmatic.
However, focusing on an intention shifts the focus from outcome to process.
And when we become process-oriented rather than outcome-oriented, we have great trust in ourselves and our abilities. We trust that showing up and doing our best will lead to positive results.
But the key is to not be attached to the outcome.
Because…
Reason 2: Defining your value strictly by outcomes is a one-way ticket to low self-esteem (and potentially depression)
Nothing hurts more than failure.
Although it’s a catalyst for growth, it always stings when we fail. And when we define our value in the world based on the achievement of resolutions, we believe we don’t hold value if those resolutions aren’t fulfilled. And the stronger we hold that belief, the more our self-esteem plummets.
But approaching change with intention gives us opportunities to hit checkpoints.
Each day we show up and fulfill our intentions, we can check the box for
And luckily for us, there’s more to life than meeting goals.
Reason 3: Life isn’t always about doing, it’s also about being
The number one regret of dying people isn’t that they wish they worked harder.
It’s that they wish they spent more time with their partner. They wish they spent more time with their kids. They wish they spent more time with family. They wish they spent more time doing things they never dreamed of doing.
So to say achievement is everything is to tell a tall tale.
Which is why resolutions can be so finicky.
We get wrapped up in the achievement. We lose our touch with those around us because we have our heads down, grinding out goals.
But we miss everything else that matters in the process.
Love. Laughter. And well-being.
P.S.
As a token of my gratitude, I’d love to drop you a free resource if you haven’t snagged it yet.
It’s called 7-days to a mindfulness habit, and it’s everything you need to start a mindfulness meditation habit in less than 15 minutes a day.
You can grab it here: