Why Intentions Work, Resolutions Don't

Resolutions don’t make sense anymore. People who try to come up with something year after year never end up sticking to them or accomplishing them.

I just read in a New York Post poll that 55% percent of Americans believe that the concept of New Year's resolutions is outdated. ?

Instead of resolutions, I am setting intentions. There is a theme, I have a goal and it is CONCRETE. Meaning, I will be at least 85% more likely to stick to them in the coming year.

You can use my template to help you become more productive and achieve your dreams for 2024. Let’s put an end to this vague and wishy-washy stuff and achieve more in 2024! ??

Print this out, fill in your blanks and stick it on your dry erase board or mirror to keep you on track.

Sure, you can try to be more fit, but what does that look like? Eat healthier – hire a dietician? Be in less pain… maybe walk more.

The point is to aim at something achievable.

Here is an intention I’m interested in for next year:

My Theme: business development / BD

My Intention: Making personal connections

Goal 1: 10 speaking engagements

This is pretty concrete, albeit idealistic. If I am shooting for 10 speaking engagements, I may end up only booking four or five. But that is an intention that leads to concrete results! Through speaking engagements, I will get in front of other professionals I haven’t met. I will get to share some personal stories and connect with them beyond collecting leads.

I actually have a formula I follow for calculating leads from networking events, which tells me how many clients I’ll get from those leads, but that’s a different intention and goal process. It all works together to keep my goal setting simpler and support more business success.

With practice and follow-through, you’ll see the correlation and figure out a pattern of intentions that work best for you.

Sound like a plan?

Tell me, what is one intention you have for next year?

Dawn Wagenaar is principal of Ingenuity Marketing Group , St. Paul. Contact her at [email protected]