Setting Intentions Over Making Resolutions

Happy 2009!

It’s the new year, a great time for making plans, setting goals, envisioning our dreams. As I consider what’s ahead, I’ve decided to advocate for setting intentions, rather than making resolutions, for 2009.

Resolutions can be a wonderful kick-start to get us going in new (and presumably better) directions. They’re aspirational, but they also seem to be burdened by obligations, the almighty “shoulds.”

To be resolute is to be committed, but there seems to be an inherent seriousness – almost a grim-ness – associated with making them. New Year’s resolutions often relate to changing habits, and focus on our deficiencies. Really, how often does someone resolve “to continue being as joyous and wonderful as I already am?”

The underlying message of New Year’s resolutions seems to be, “I need to do more (or less) of this, I need to be more of this,” which indicates a deeper sense that “I am not enough as I am, so I must resolve to…”

I also believe that the process of setting resolutions also tends to establish a win-lose outlook. I will resolve to do X, and I will either succeed or fail.

In contrast, I believe that setting intentions is a more self-generous approach.

To be intentional is to be purposeful. Setting an intention can help us clarify our focus. It encourages thoughtfulness, and heightens our awareness of our choices. Intentions help us chart a course, but they also allow for contingencies, welcome possibility, and encourage flexibility. With intentions, we can make progress directionally, even if the specifics happen to change along the way.

The difference between these concepts reminds me of an idea my friend Beth Page created, about the “WHATNESS” and the “HOWNESS” of things.

Resolutions fall in the WHATNESS category – they ask us to focus on what we must do, change, improve, etc.

Intentions are more about the HOWNESS – the approach we choose to take.

Don’t get me wrong – I'm all for personal change and growth. But I wish for the process to be more joyful, not obligatory.

So this year, I intend to set intentions rather than resolutions.

What do you think? Is there enough accountability in intentions, or does it take resolutions for things to “stick?” Have you made resolutions or set intentions for the year ahead? Is this all just semantics, or do you think there are real differences?

Here’s to a fabulous 2009 for all.