I hear a lot of people saying that they are not making New Year Resolutions, they are making Intentions, Plans, Goals, etc.

But why are New Year Resolutions getting such a bum rap? I mean the word itself says RE – Solutions. So you are basically taking something from last year that you had a problem with and coming up with a new solution, a re – solution. Maybe the way you approached a problem last year didn’t work like you planned. Maybe the nutrition plan went off course, or you thought you heard extra fries instead of exercise. Maybe you didn’t reach your reading goals or go to church as often as you wanted to last year. Thats okay – figure out what went wrong and make a RE – solution.

I looked up the definition for resolution and it simply means, “a firm decision to do or not do something.” A synonym for resolution is intention. What does intention mean? “A determination to act in a certain way: RESOLVE… How interesting. Intentions and Resolutions are very similar.

There are some that say Intentions are based on acts of thinking and resolutions are based on acts of commitment. When you set a resolution you set measureable goals, and measurable goals become committments, that become measurable actions which are all centered around your intentions. It all goes full circle… your really cant have intentions without resolutions, resolutions without goals and goals without plans.

I like what Megan Elizabeth taught me about doing the Daily 3’s. What are your three top goals? What are the three action steps to take to reach that goal and what are the 3 top priorities of the day that you will accomplish to help you meet the goal?

So put it all together… I am making the intention to lose weight. The thought is there. I am making it one of my resolutions to lose weight. The goal is to lose 30 lbs by the 1st of March. (I have already lost 11lbs.) The action steps are:

1. Follow the nutrition plan from Metabolic Research Center
2. Weigh in at the Center once a week
3. Keep a food log of what I am eating. If you bite it – write it – for accountability.

One of my priorities for the day might be to keep my appt for the day.

So see, I am intending and resolving to lose weight. My goal is to lose 30 lbs by March 1st and my plan is to keep appoints, follow the nutrition plan and keep a food log.

Resolutions strengthen and solidify the intention. Don’t make an intention without a resolution. The goals and plans can change but the intention and resolution should be a commitment.

That is why I call them New You Solutions and I review them every year, quarter and month. I can change the goals and plans, but I cannot flip-flop on the intention and the resolution.

And my One Word of the Year is Abide…

Thanks for reading. Hope it was helpful.

Positively, Debbie