Be a Creator with No Resolutions: Don't Be Another Data Number, Read How
The new year starts, and socials emerge with:
New Year, New Me.
Same Sh*t, Different Year.
365 New Days, 365 New Chances.
This year will be better.
Out with the old, in with the new.
New year, Same glow.
Fresh Start.
Many of the social media messages convey hope, mixed with nostalgia. It is great to see people reflecting on their highlights within the past year. Following the calendar is an easy way of categorizing a time period – for better or for worse. Research shows that about 9% of Americans keep their resolutions throughout the year, with 23% of adults quitting by the first week in January. Did you make a resolution this year, and have you stayed true to it? Data says you may quit soon.
Don’t make a resolution in January.
The word “resolution” suggests an exact solution, but there is no actual solution. For that solution lives in a forever-changing context, but as a static concept. Instead of “resolution,” use the term adaptive intention. Branding your intention (“goal”) adaptively reinforces the idea that it is forever changing, just like a tree and its seasons.
Beyond unreasonable intentions, is there a way to reinforce a new habit or intention more sustainably?
Axplore Co. recommends following the seasonal changes. You may live in an area where you do not have four clear seasons. If so, refer to the *. Reflections are meant to occur more than once a year. Think of the natural world around us, like a tree: budding and leaves, peak foliage, the change, and the waiting - each with its own reflection period.
In Spring, this is where natural resolutions begin:
New beginnings, the budding starts slowly. Your intention is becoming defined and outlined. In places with four seasons, peeks of rejuvenation, budding greens, and pinks. *In locations with two seasons or one, the air starts to warm ever so slowly in the mornings, and fog rolls off a little earlier. The higher sun angles in the sky. Your intention is taking shape, adjusting to find the best timing.
What is my intention?
How can I best support it now, tomorrow, next week, and next month?
Is there a timeframe? Why is that the timeframe? (Can I reframe it if there is one, to an evolving one?)
Why is this important? (i.e., Why do I want/need to have this intention)
How will this impact my understanding of myself (value, appearance, confidence, worth, status, etc)?
What challenges and inconsistencies will there be? What tactics will I use to reframe during tough times?
Who can be my cheerleader? (Reach out and engage with them)
After one week, reassess my objectives, boundaries, expectations, and overall intention. Do I need to alter any processes (such as routine timing or preparation) or the intention itself (such as adding in collaboration)?
Moving to Summer, the first checkpoint:
An increase in passion, flow, and warm energy. You feel energized by your initial commitment and determination toward your intention. Trees are now fully covered in green, with flowers here and there; little bundles of firework energy. Spreading their seeds - like passion to others, encouraging more transformation. Understanding your novel experience and describing the feelings brings heightened awareness. *The sun is high with intense rays overhead, beaming downward. Blue skies increase, with fewer clouds - providing clarity. Your intention begins to click.
What is working successfully with my intention? Why?
Make a mental note and see if I can integrate these successes into other areas of my life.
Are they continuous or new barriers? Why? How can I problem-solve for success?
How far have I come? Where do I hope to go? Am I mentally engaged in my intention (i.e., not mindless movements)?
Celebrate my success by writing down five accomplishments regarding my intention.
Am I sharing this new passion? Why or why not?
Do I believe I am becoming X? Why or why not? How can I fully believe?
What are the new obstacles that will be coming with the changing season (Fall)? How can I best prepare to adapt to them?
Moving to Autumn, the second checkpoint:
The cooling energy with first sights of sustainable changes. The realization of success begins to take root. Reds, oranges, and yellows falling, signaling the balancing of calmness and introspection. The routine is melding with your future self. *The air begins to cool, with fog lifting later. You are becoming this person with X intention.
Is the intention sustainable now? Why? Is it sustainable in 3 months?
Do I feel myself letting up on my intention or making excuses? Why?
Do I need to reassess my priorities and expectations? How does that make me feel?
Intention check-in: Do I feel balanced, and is this heading in the direction I hoped it would from the beginning? If yes, outline the strengths that got me to this point and ways to continue this energy. If not, dig deeper into what happened. Discover what might have happened in the last two seasons that makes me feel this way now. What can I do to regain that confidence in my intention? To rebuild that belief in myself.
Ask clarifying intention questions. Does this still fuel my mind, body, and soul? Does this build my happiness? Will this support me later in life? When I am 10 years older, how will this intention make me feel about myself?
Into Winter, the third checkpoint:
Your vulnerabilities emerge; you must refocus on courage, adversity, and growth. Alone, shapeless, and with shorter days ahead, your adversity is tested most during this period. *Gray skies, muted days, all flowing into each other. Inconsistencies try to breach. Now is the crucial time to prepare for rejuvenation - this is where the magic lies. You are the sunshine, the water, the fuel – and only you can sustainably nourish your intention.
Is my intention still true to my person? Am I becoming X (intention)?
Do I need to refocus? How can I adjust my objectives, boundaries, expectations, and overall intention? In what ways does the original version need to evolve?
How do I see myself differently as I head into the third season? Am I proud? Why?
What challenges am I going to overcome in the next 3 months? Bonus: add how I will.
Review what grace and perseverance mean to me. Am I aligning my intention - respecting my own definitions?
Who helped me to this point in my journey? If anyone has, why did they support me - believe in me? Write this down. Bonus: Say it out loud and thank them, explaining what it meant to me.
Write three magic power moves and review them every morning this Winter season. Power moves are small actions that consistently support the intention. Power moves are the water and fuel.
What power moves can I fuel this week? Write a 5-step plan right now.
Finding your way to Spring, the fourth checkpoint:
The habit becomes ingrained, but you must continue to treasure it. Treat it as a new “resolution,” feed it, feel it, believe it. You have endured all the seasons; you can do it again. However, like a growing tree, you will evolve. Nothing stays the same. In each future season, test different aspects, challenge your views, and integrate new mindsets. For this is how to build authentic longevity, personal resilience, and balanced actions.
How do I feel after a year? Different, improved? Why?
Do I wish to continue this intention? Why?
Did I become X (intention)? Do I wholeheartedly believe that? Why? If not, why did I answer that way?
How can I best continue this intention? For the next season(s) and year?
Going forward, how will I adapt and evolve? Do I have an open mind about it? If no, how can I readjust my expectations?
I want to build X character trait (i.e., resilience). Does this intention support/embody it? This reframes the previous year, allowing new perspectives and a shared sense of self-awareness to emerge.
You must reassess each season, not once a year but at four stages, which eventually lead to an infinite number of check-ins (aka a true engaged habit). You are the creator of your intention: like an artist with paint or a runner with sneakers. Head through the seasons, checking in, and deeply engaging with yourself.
Starting up like Spring? Learn how to build engagement or plan to visit San Diego!
Thriving in Summer feels? Prepare yourself for a road trip!
Curious Fall-like introspections? Try Axplore Co.’s Framework or Lessons by Month.
Or going through Winter-like hardships? Head over to Atlas’ Puppy Confidence Journey.
Consider where you are in your intention journey and how you can become an intention creator - improving just like the seasons. Reach out and tell us how it goes!
