Confessions of a health coach: Why I don't like resolutions

While  many people took the time over the last few days to write down their resolutions, I glided into 2014 without any list.  As a matter of fact, I haven't done resolutions since I was in college or maybe even before that.  I just don't really believe in them.  
What I do believe in is striving for your best and being open to set backs, or gasp, even failure!  I like to think of what I do as intentions rather than resolutions.  If you write down 10 things that you are going to do, or stop doing, in 2014...you run the chance of missing the boat on all of them.  That is why intentions are so much better for me in my life.  And here is why:
Mirriam Webster defines resolution as "the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. The act of resolving something."  Hmm...that doesn't really sound right for me.  
But if you look up intention, you will find this:  "The thing that you plan to do or achieve.  An aim or purpose."  Okay, this is exactly what I am talking about!  
What is it that you plan to do or achieve this year?  That is where the real juicy stuff comes up.  Where do you want to be this time next year?  And how do you see yourself getting there?  These are questions I ask myself and check in with throughout the year.  Am I getting closer to my intention?  What is holding me back?  Am I in sync with my values and morals?   If not, then I need to look at things again to find a new way to reach my set intentions.  
And the great thing about intentions is that they can change over the year!  We all grow and learn on a daily basis so this is not something set in stone.  It can change and grow along with you.  
There's no "one size fits all" when it comes to setting your intentions for a new year.  We are all different and unique.  So what may work for your friend, may not work for you.  
I challenge you to look at the new year with intentions and see how it works for you.  
Happy New Year!

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