For decades, I’ve pondered on what my intention for myself and my business should be for the start of each year. An intention, unlike a goal, has an overarching purpose and focus of how you want to think or feel, or even how you want to show up. They help us stay more more present and encourages us to be more responsive rather than reactive.
Over the years I’ve set intentions such as ‘Being Bold’, ‘Just go for it!’ as well as ‘Finding my Balance’. Each of them came about from a deep yearning need for change, to feel back in control of often chaotic situations, or as a reminder to push me out of my comfort zone.
Whilst I do love having a goal (and we coaches really do like goals!), setting an intention gives more life flexibility. Unlike a goal, where there is often a clear time deadline or specific outputs, an intention opens us up to a wider world of possibility, with numerous outcomes waiting to be discovered. A bit like going on holiday to somewhere new, wanting to relax and have fun (your intention) but then being open to what activities are available in that moment for you to experience, and saying yes to things you didn’t know existed before the holiday.
Setting an intention is giving our unconscious mind permission to explore possibilities in the background. When we have an over-arching intention of being more focused, or flexible – or in my case seeking ‘Magical Momentum’, it becomes our mission statement for the year to guide our thoughts and actions. It becomes our anchor stone, helping us return to our inner desire, and gives us a clarity of purpose. When setting goals, especially New Year’s Resolutions we often measure our success in tangible details such as weight lost, miles run, and income earnt, which sets us up to fail or succeed. Compared with a more intangible intention of ‘Magical Momentum’ which it relates more to how we feel than what we did.
For 2025 I want to continue the success of last year, by carrying on with what has worked well and experimenting with ways to make it even better – creating business momentum. But what I realised that momentum on its own for me feels like hard work, and often quite isolating. So, introducing some ‘magic’ into the mix means that I’m looking for the wonder, the surprise, and the fun element that growing a business can offer.
So, what intention will you create for yourself in 2025? What do you want to hope for yourself? How do you want to feel for the coming twelve months? What will be a positive guide as you navigate the cold winter months ahead?
And if you’d like help in finding your 2025 intention, then get in touch and ask for my 5 Reflective Steps.