Every year, I draft a list of resolutions. Save more money. Work out five days a week. Be more productive. These resolutions look great on paper. It’s a structured roadmap to self-improvement. But by February, most of them become eclipsed by life’s realities.
For 2025, I’m trading resolutions for something more adaptable and sustainable: intentions. Because where resolutions are outcome-driven, intentions are value-oriented.
The Limitations of Resolutions
Resolutions are typically specific, measurable goals: “Run a marathon,” “Launch a new project,” “Lose 10 pounds.” Clarity can be motivating, but for many, resolutions set us up for a cycle of guilt and disappointment.
Here’s why: life is unpredictable. A busy schedule, unexpected challenges, or even a shift in priorities can derail progress. Resolutions also create a harsh binary: you either succeed, or you don’t. There’s little room for the messy, imperfect nature of real growth.
Why Intentions Work Better
Intentions, on the other hand, are more about how you want to live rather than what you want to achieve. They focus on aligning your actions with your values, which makes them both flexible and forgiving.
Resolution: “Lose 10 pounds.”
Intention: “Prioritize choices that make me feel healthy and energized.”
Resolution: “Save $5,000 by June.”
Intention: “Make thoughtful financial decisions that reflect my long-term priorities.”
Intentions allow for self-compassion. If something doesn’t go as planned, you can recalibrate without labeling the whole thing as a failure. Intentions also encourage you to reflect on the why behind your actions. This is where you garnish motivation.
Approaching 2025
If resolutions haven’t worked for you in the past, think about what’s most important to you, and allow open-ended aspirations to guide you. Instead of asking, “What do I need to achieve?” let’s ask, “Who do I want to become?”
Focusing on intentions like being present, staying curious, and practicing gratitude allows us to ask these questions. And, progress doesn’t have to be perfect to have meaning.
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