Another year has fallen upon us and that means it’s time to start thinking about how we want the year to go for us. What goals do we want to set out to achieve? Who do we want to become by the time the end of the year rolls around? Where in life would we like to be 12 months from now?
The beginning of the year is the time when we all reflect on what life has been like for us this past year, and how we want to change it for the new year. Reflection is great and a very necessary part of growth.
However, I believe we should be doing something completely different once we have officially entered the new year. Reflecting is important, it’s necessary, and but that is more of the end of the year wrap up engagement. At the start of the year, we need to have a clear vision of what our next steps are, what it is that we want, and what direction we want our lives to go.
This is what helps us navigate the year with a focused mind and strong intentions.
This year instead of making a new year’s resolution I say make strong intentions with a power word to guide you throughout the year. Intention setting is so important for getting the things you want out of life. It’s a big part of manifestation and it’s the secret to being successful. Having a power word is a great way to hold yourself accountable for what it is you have committed to achieving.
Start the year with strong intentions (or manifestations) and strong power words. On the surface this all seems very lovely and easy to do but the truth is, it’s hard work. It’s hard work that really requires a huge commitment to see it through.
Want to know how to get this done effectively? Then let’s dive deeper!
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Setting Intentions
What exactly is intention setting?
Sure, you’ve heard of it before, but have you ever tried it? Do you understand what it is, what it looks likes, and the power of manifesting strong intentions? If this is a whole new world for you no problem, I’ll break it down for you.
Intentions are the non-physical commitment to accomplishing something. For example, setting an intention to be more present with others. While your physical presence is something that can be seen, the act of you actually making an effort to be present in the moment cannot. Being present is so much more than just taking up space in a room.
It the intentional act of being thoughtful, mindful, and engaged with others. Being present is providing those in your company with your undivided attention. The intention to be more present with others is a thought about a specific behavior that is followed through with an action. Therefore, it can be said that intentions are thoughts that you have, that are reflective of a specific behavior you do, that you want to change with reasonable actions. Intention setting is also a big part of manifestation. Whatever you intentionally set out to do, you are also manifesting a more desirable outcome (of in this case way of living) for yourself.
When setting an intention there are three things you need to evaluate.
First, what specific behavior are you currently doing that you would like to change? This is important to know so that you are clear about your reasoning behind the change (more on this below). Changing a specific behavior doesn’t have to be negative either. You can have a positive behavior that you would like to exist more within, like being more nurturing. Identify the behavior that you want to change, and the reason for wanting to do so.
Second, what thoughts do you have about that specific behavior? In other words, why is this something that you want to change. Is it because you find that it makes others uncomfortable around you? Or maybe it makes you feel insecure about yourself? Understanding the connection between your thoughts and behaviors is not only a great way to build your confidence, but it can also help you better understand why you may behave the way you do.
The third and final thing is to take action. What are you willing to do in order to change this behavior? These actions need to be realistic and reasonable for you by nature. This is important because you want to create actions that you can follow through with. You want your actions to be reasonable and something that you would look forward to doing.
One you have evaluated a specific behavior to change, your thoughts around this behavior, and reasonable actions to get it done, your intention has pretty much been set. The only thing to do from here is to actually put into action this intention. Release it to the universe. You will know when you have done so when you noticed a change in that specific behavior.
It’s the little things that are going to reveal to you when your intention has been put into motion. There will not always be obvious signs that your manifestation (intention) is working. You’re going to have to pay attention to the fine details, such as changes in your mindset, actions, or even within your body.
Just remember, even when you may feel like it’s not working, it is. Just continue to do the work needed to see that intention through.
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The Power of a Word
What is a power word?
Honestly, this is a new tactic that I am trying out this year but I’m so excited to better understand the power behind this action! A power word is a single word that has a very deep and meaningful reason for you. Much like your intention, a power word is meant to represent the overall picture of what it is that you are wanting to achieve in the year.
Below is a detailed example of identifying a power word for the year, and understanding what it’s potential impact may be.
This year for the first time in a long time I made a vision board (a very simple vision board). On my vision board I had my power words at the very top, in big bold letters, so that whenever I looked at it, I knew exactly what it was that I wanted my year to reflect. My power words were focus and creativity.
I chose these power words because for the past couple of years, I have been all over the place in my life. I’ve been doing school full-time, on and off again with a job part-time, I’ve been taking care of others way more than I’ve been taking care of myself, starting a coaching business, running a blog, as much more.
I’ve been scattered and needed some control. I know what it is that I want out of life, and I have goals that I am determined to achieve. However, I was struggling with zoning in and focusing on accomplishing specific tasks so that I could move forward in life.
Focus represents what I need to practice more of. I tend to have the attention span of a 5-year-old at times, meaning unless something is very thought provoking for me, I often lose interest fairly quickly. However, I know that in order to be as success as I desire to be, I have to get better at focusing my attention on the boring parts of the hard work long enough to get to the fun parts of it.
For me the boring stuff is anything outside of being creative.
Creativity represents what I want every little thing I do to scream. Not just in my coaching business, but in projects outside of that as well. I want to create more of what is reflective of my authenticity, so that I can genuinely connect better with others.
A power word sets the tone for what you would like your year to look like. It’s a simple word with a very clear message to YOU about what every thought and action you have is going to reflect for you later down the road. It’s your compass and it will guide you through the year if you allow it to. So choose wisely.
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Merging the Two
Now that you have an understanding of what it means to set an intention, and what a power word is, now it’s time to merge the two together.
This year something that I have made a commitment to do is to set intentions that are reflective of positive changes I want to make in my life, and try my best align those intentions with my power words. I want this year to be the year when I accomplish more than I have been able to in the past couple of years. I want my creativity to guide me.
Seems a like a lot to pack in within a year (if you only knew the things that are brewing in my mind) but I’m very determined to do so!
This is how you merge the two together. It all starts with having a power word that is going to define all the moments, big or small, in your life for the year. Once you have identified your power word, because you know that it is what you truly want for yourself, your intentions follow easily right after it.
But first you have to know what that bigger picture is. What is it you want this year to reflect for yourself and your life? Spend time exploring the bigger picture. Be very clear and specific about what it is you want and what it looks like. Only then can you begin to fill it all in with color. When you know what the bigger picture for you is, your power word will come to you.
We can’t achieve all that we want to achieve within a year. It takes time to get everything that we want out of life. However, when you can commit to filling in the bigger picture one step at a time, it makes it easier to get there. Draw that bigger picture and choose a power word to help you start working towards it for the year. Then spend some time thinking about the types of intentions that you can make to help you be more authentic in how you get there.
I’ll admit, it’s a lot of hard work, and in the beginning it may seem pointless. However, it will always be meaningful so long as you don’t lose sight of what it is that you truly want.
Conclusion
This year try setting strong intentions and identifying at least one power word to help you navigate throughout the year.
New year’s resolutions are fun. They work for some people and not so much so for others. I personally have found more success with sticking with an intention for the year than a resolution. This is because resolutions aren’t sustainable. They work for about the first 2 months of the year and then you sort of get over it.
So instead of making a resolution that will be hard for you to commit to for an entire year, identify a power word to define what you want this year to look like for you, and set intentions that are going to help you get to where you are trying to go.
The start of a new year is the start of a new chapter for you. It’s a time for you to re-evaluate your goals and what you are willing to do to achieve them all. It’s not a time to try and make small changes that will not have a long-term and significant impact on you. It’s a time to get serious about what it is you truly want in life, so that you can finally have it all.
As we finally work our way through the first month of the new year, take time to think about how you want your life to look 5 years from now. What do you really want? Think about it then make the decision to make this year the year when you start getting serious about creating that life for yourself.
Don’t make a resolution that will not get you even half-way through the year. Make a commitment to your current and future self to make this the year that manifestation reveals itself.
Because not only do you deserve it, but you are more than worthy of that dream. It’s time to claim the life that you’ve been dreaming. It’s time to claim everything you have ever wanted. After all that you have been through, you most certainly deserve it.
What is your power word for the new year, and what strong intentions will you be making?
-Xo
Kimora