Tough (Question) Tuesday: What’s your intention for 2010?
These are resolutions I can get behind, even though I’ve recently decided that “resolution” is a dirty, dirty word. These read more like intentions, which I think is a sweet, sweet word that almost provokes me to hug it. Yes, the Spring girls have made me think long & hard about intentions, and how they differ from goals & resolutions, & why they’re superior in a lot of ways.
Last year, my intention for 2009 was one word: Focus. That word drove a lot of my goals & action items. Because of that, I’ve learned to focus (aka not have my Gmail open every minute of the day, do one thing at a time before going on to the next, not put too much on my plate) pretty damn good this year. Now I’ve disclosed that my 2010 word is “Simplify.” Even if you don’t answer any other questions from my 1 Thing post, answer this:
What’s your intention for 2010?
Whether it’s a word, a phrase, a sentence or a paragraph, share it in the comments section & then write it down & put it in an often-seen place (or places)!
Related posts:
January 5th, 2010 at 6:57 am
My words this year are Yes and Abundance. As in saying yes to things and being open to new experiences, and trusting that the world is abundant instead of scarce. I’m excited to see where these take me. Simplify sounds like a terrific one, especially since it’s following your year of Focus.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:03 am
For 2010, my main intention (there were 10 key ones) was “I intend to act on good ideas.” It was a way of me remembering that we often over-analyze, over-plan and procrastinate to the point that we’ve effectively talked ourselves out of the idea in the first place. So I acted on a good idea and started a daily email and blog.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:43 am
My word that I’m using to set my intentions this year is dare. It’s a lot about stepping out and doing the things that scare me.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:20 am
@Kylie – Y’know, I think “Yes” might be the most popular intention for 2010! It scares the crap out of me personally, because I’m such a people pleaser (less so now) that I just now feel comfortable (finally!) saying “no”! I think I do have to let the scary “Yes” in sometimes, but I’d be afraid of turning into Jim Carrey in Yes Man. It’s all about finding the balance, then. And for you, it’s about finding the Abundance along with it. Y’know, maybe it’s about saying Yes to what will be an Abundance in your life. That’s so nice!
@Shayla – 10 intentions?! Whew girl, you are a goal getter like me! Do you find yourself overwhelmed by all of those? And if not, how? Please share your secrets! Oh, & your intention for 2010 is great. If it was 1 Word, it seems like it would be Action. Can’t wait to check out your blog!
@Allysa – “Dare” – whadda scary & exciting word! One of my big lessons in 2009 was to follow through on what was both scary & exciting, so this word brings all that up for me! Total awesomeness.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Actually I don’t mind sharing my 10 for 2010 because they are all along the same lines.
I intend to act on good ideas.
I intend to believe.
I intend to trust.
I intend to pay attention.
I intend to understand.
I intend to simplify.
I intend to love.
I intend to be fearless.
I intend to communicate.
It’s just a matter of putting them out there and seeing where the Universe takes you. Recently I’ve been paying attention to the concept of being “optimistically impulsive”. I’d love to hear what everyone thinks about that concept.
January 5th, 2010 at 11:54 am
I forgot one before I hit “send”! LOL
I intend to be joyous!!!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Thanks so much for sharing, Shayla!
Can I ask if you do anything tangible with your intentions? Are they up somewhere for your to look at – on a wall, tucked in a wallet, etc? I would think it’d just be so difficult to remember – & act upon – those intentions. Would love to hear how you keep them in the forefront.
Oh, and “optimistically impulsive” – ooh! First I’ve heard of it but sounds amazing! Is it the intention of a good outcome coming from something unplanned? That would be such a huge matter of trust, I would think…
January 5th, 2010 at 12:21 pm
What has been missing from my life in recent years is sweetness. So in 2010, I am actively seeking out the sweetness. I’ve defined sweetness as “time spent with loved ones, travel, downtime, money, and fun work” and so those are my goals. For the first time in my life, I actually have been mapping out a way to include each kind of sweetness into each quarter of the year. It sounds super-dorky and uptight, I know, but it finally (finally!) hit me that I need to plan for good things that I need, in the same way that I plan meals or cleaning or what have you. It’s a necessary step for a healthy, orderly life. [And I NEVER thought I'd think/say any of this.]
January 5th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Oh Emma, that’s so – sweet! Honestly, I think it is, just the whole Picture of it & your definition of “sweetness”. What a wonderful way to encompass it, as opposed to “family time” or “fun time” or blah blah blah. Sweetness makes me sigh.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
My intention for the new year is NOW. I think I talked a bit about this in a previous comment, how 2009 hadn’t gone really according to my plan and I didn’t feel much progress over the course of the year. Now I realize I didn’t really plan for things to be different in December 2009 than they were in January 2009. I’ve taken positive action on that front and have made a plan for this year and am using the word NOW to remind me:
…to do it now.
…to live in the now (a la “No Day But Today,” since we’ve been sharing showtunes, Michelle!).
…to be grateful now.
January 5th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
I intend to put myself out there this year! I was terrified to change my website and put myself out there for people to know the real me. I have the website the way I want and have gotten some really great feedback! Very scary but a great outcome. I foresee a lot more living outside of my box this year. : )
January 5th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
I like this question! My intention for 2010 is IMPROVE. I feel like I’m doing all the right things in my life, and I just need to keep on this path to reach my goals. This applies to my job, my family and friends, my self, my home. It’s going to be a great year.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
@Angelique – There’s only 525,600 minutes….Oh, that’s a great song. But a terrible movie. And Yes to the Now! Even if you can commit to 1 now a day – a little tiny itty bitty now – over the course of a year! That’s 365 nows all creating one great big Now. This is getting exciting.
@Sara – Ooh, you got good feedback? It better be in a Good Things folder (if not, I will make you start one. I’m mean!) It’s so funny, but I read from you that you’re living outside your box, but meanwhile you’re living as The Real You, who’s just been hiding this whole time! So if outside your box is your authenticity, then who was that woman in the box? Whoa. This is getting deep.
@LauraSO – I like the word Improve, but it makes me nervous in that very-easy-to-beat-yourself-up way. The Spring girls & I spoke in our latest vlog (up today!) about committing to the intention of being nice to ourselves. So make sure the Improvement doesn’t boil over into being mean to you.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Michelle,
My theme for 2010 is Ask.
Ask, as in “don’t assume you know the outcome;” “don’t assume you know the other person’s motivation;” ” let others know what you want, need, etc;” “stop trying to do it all by yourself.”
When I look back at some of my low points in 2009, I realize that I “made up” a lot of stories about why something I wanted didn’t happen. I learned the truth, much later, by accident and could have saved myself needless angst if only I had inquired about the situation.
Also, it is one of my hard-things-to-do: ask for help. I’ve always been very self-sufficient, probably developed out of my strong desire to avoid asking. So its time for me to grow, and I’m ready.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
My word is breakthrough. I had other words I liked. The word claimed me..
so I’m looking forward how it will show in my life.
January 6th, 2010 at 10:20 am
@Joanne – I love how you use Ask in 2 ways, as in “don’t assume” & “request help.” So amazing that you’ve pinpointed a big roadblock for yourself (making assumptions) & the simple way to counteract that, just asking. Although just the thought of asking might be nerve-wracking! It is for me – I’m a Superwoman too
I think I’d need to figure out how I can request help or inquire about a situation in a way that I’m comfortable with. You taught me that with saying No!
@Shell – Ooh, Breakthrough! That I see in 2 ways, also: as having a breakthrough & as figuring out how to break through. I have a feeling 2010 will hold a lot of a-ha! moments for you!
January 6th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
@Michelle Sorry I didn’t answer yesterday and I promise that I’ll look at your two new entries as soon as I can! Your dear future me looks interesting!
I actually have a couple of copies (tangible) of my intentions – one in my bedroom next to my bed and one on my kitchen counter. I refer to it many times when I’m not quite sure what to do next and am inspired by just reading them outloud. It definitely keeps the energy flowing and the intentions clear!
Yes, optimistically impulsive means going completely out of your comfort zone and doing something on a whim TRUSTING that it’s the right thing to do and it leads you to the place you’re meant to be whether it be physically, spiritually or mentally.
January 6th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
Shayla, No worries! Take your time with everything – it’s what I’m making myself do in 2010
Thanks for sharing how you keep your intentions in sight & in mind. I definitely need to get some visuals up for myself, too. And that optimistically impulsive stuff – whew! Talk about scary! I’m finding that trust is one of the biggest things to, uh, trust – when I try to trust that’s when the Big Fears creep in. I’ve been doing better with focusing on trust as a feeling, if that makes sense, which allows me to get those Vampires out of my head.