{"id":9763,"date":"2025-01-04T13:58:32","date_gmt":"2025-01-04T17:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/setting-intentions-for-2025-heres-how-to-start-strong-this-new-year\/"},"modified":"2025-01-04T13:58:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-04T17:58:32","slug":"setting-intentions-for-2025-heres-how-to-start-strong-this-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/setting-intentions-for-2025-heres-how-to-start-strong-this-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Setting intentions for 2025? Here\u2019s how to start strong this new year"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people live their day on default<\/em>,\u201d says Vishen<\/strong>, the founder and CEO of Mindvalley. \u201cMost of us, when we wake up in the morning, we do not intend how our day is going to unfold<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

No fault of anyone\u2019s, really. It\u2019s just how we were taught.<\/p>\n

But setting intentions<\/strong>, according to Vishen, can really change the way you show up. It can help you navigate your choices with purpose\u2014instead of letting them happen to you.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you command how you want your day to unfold,<\/em>\u201d he adds, \u201cyou\u2019re going to notice what you told your mind to notice<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The thing is, intention is quiet. It\u2019s deliberate. And it\u2019s how you stop reacting to life and start creating it.<\/p>\n

What does setting intention mean?<\/h2>\n

Setting an intention is like giving your mind a little nudge about what you want to focus on or how you want to feel. It\u2019s different than writing out a to-do list or obsessing over goals. Instead, it\u2019s about deciding, ahead of time, the approach you want to take to your day, to your month, to your year\u2026 or even in a moment.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s say you\u2019ve got a big presentation at work. Instead of waking up stressed and hoping for the best, you can take a moment to set an intention like, \u201cI\u2019m going to stay calm and confident, and I\u2019m going to communicate clearly<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

When you command how you want your day to unfold, you\u2019re going to notice what you told your mind to notice.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Vishen, founder and CEO of Mindvalley<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Just giving yourself a little time to set your intentions can shape how you go through your days\u2014from the time you wake up to when you fall asleep. And the best part? Research shows it actually makes it easier to hit your goals<\/a> because you\u2019re more focused on what matters and more likely to follow through.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t mistake setting intentions as a form of controlling every outcome. Really, as Vishen points out, it\u2019s about aligning yourself with what you value or want to experience<\/strong>. It\u2019s about letting things flow. It\u2019s about living on purpose.<\/p>\n

Goals vs. intentions<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s easy to confuse goal-setting and intention-setting because they both require self-introspection<\/a> to move forward and improve your life. However, they come from slightly different angles.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a closer look at one versus the other:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nGoals<\/strong><\/td>\nIntentions<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
What they are<\/strong><\/td>\nSpecific outcomes you want to achieve<\/td>\nHow you want to show up or feel in the moment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Focus<\/strong><\/td>\nSomething you work toward, like finishing a project, losing weight, or saving a certain amount of money<\/td>\nGrounded in the present; more about the energy or mindset you bring to your actions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Measurable<\/strong><\/td>\nOften concrete and measurable<\/td>\nMore fluid and can adapt as your day or circumstances change<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
External\/internal<\/strong><\/td>\nExternal: Usually tied to achieving something tangible or external<\/td>\nInternal: personal and often tied to your values, emotions, or state of being<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Example<\/strong><\/td>\n\u201cI want to run a marathon by the end of the year<\/em>.\u201d<\/td>\n\u201cI want to enjoy and appreciate the process of becoming stronger and healthier<\/em>.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

The thing is, goals and intentions don\u2019t compete; instead, they complement each other. While goals are the what<\/em>, the intentions are the how<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Why is setting intentions important?<\/h2>\n

When you consciously decide, ahead of time, how you want to feel or what you want to focus on, you\u2019re giving your mind clear instructions. This helps you move through your day with purpose rather than just reacting to whatever comes your way.<\/p>\n

Science shows that our brains are wired to notice what we tell them to<\/a>. For instance, if you buy a new car, you suddenly start seeing that same model everywhere.<\/p>\n

Setting intentions works in a similar way: it primes your brain\u2019s reticular activating system to focus on what matters most to you. It\u2019s essentially like manifestation<\/a>, as Vishen explains, where \u201cwe are creating our reality all the time with our [directed] thoughts<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

In practice, this could mean starting your day by thinking, \u201cI want to be calm and open during my team meeting<\/em>\u201d or \u201cI want to appreciate the little things today<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

And this purposeful practice makes it easier to stay aligned with your goals and values.<\/p>\n

10 examples of powerfully set intentions<\/h2>\n

Knowing exactly how you want your day to feel is a certain kind of power. Even when things go sideways\u2014a traffic jam, a tense meeting, spilling coffee all over your shirt\u2014you\u2019re more likely to brush it off than let it ruin your flow.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re unsure where to start, looking at some setting intentions examples may give you the inspiration you need to create your own. Here are 10 to spark your imagination:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. For <\/strong>personal growth<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cI\u2019m going to treat every curveball today as a chance to learn something new, even if it\u2019s just how to laugh it off.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n
  2. For relationships. <\/strong>\u201cI\u2019ll actually listen when people talk today\u2014like, really listen, not just wait for my turn to talk<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  3. For productivity.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m focusing on what actually matters today and ignoring all the little distractions that don\u2019t<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  4. For emotional balance.<\/strong> \u201cWhen stuff gets messy, I\u2019m choosing to keep my cool and not let it mess with my vibe<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  5. For well-being.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019ll treat my body right today\u2014good food, a little movement, and some chill time if I need it<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. For <\/strong>mindfulness<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m keeping my head where my feet are\u2014no stressing about tomorrow or rehashing yesterday<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  7. For creativity.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m letting my ideas flow, even if some of them are a little weird. Who cares? That\u2019s how the magic happens<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  8. For gratitude.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m going to notice the little good things today, even if it\u2019s just a killer cup of coffee or a nice sunset<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  9. For leadership.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m showing up like the kind of person I\u2019d want to follow\u2014no drama, just leading by example<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n
  10. For alignment.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m making choices that feel right for me today, even if they\u2019re not what everyone else expects<\/em>.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The great thing about setting intentions is that they don\u2019t have to be perfect or complicated. They just need to feel right for you. And the more you practice, the easier it gets to show up each day with purpose and clarity.<\/p>\n

    How to set intentions that actually work<\/h2>\n

    At the heart of it all, the endgame of setting intentions is to create and live a fulfilling life. But how do you make sure they aren\u2019t just wishful thinking?<\/p>\n

    \n

    You cannot connect the dots looking forward. You can only connect the dots looking backward.<\/p>\n

    \u2014 Steve Jobs<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Turning to Vishen\u2019s insights in his 3 Most Important Questions<\/em><\/a> program on Mindvalley, here\u2019s how to create a directive plan that\u2019ll help you stay aligned, focused, and inspired every day:<\/p>\n

    1. Get crystal clear on what you want<\/h3>\n

    This isn\u2019t the time for vague ideas like \u201cI want to be happy<\/em>\u201d or \u201cI want to succeed<\/em>.\u201d Instead, think in terms of end goals<\/em><\/a>\u2014the things that truly light you up and bring you joy\u2014versus means goals<\/em>, which are simply the steps to get there.<\/p>\n

    For instance, don\u2019t stop at \u201cI want a high-paying job<\/em>\u201d (a means goal). Ask yourself why. Is it about financial freedom? Time with family? Or the ability to travel the world? These are the end goals.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen people do this exercise, magic erupts<\/em>,\u201d says Vishen. \u201cSome say it\u2019s synchronicity, coincidence, guardian angels, or the law of attraction. The scientific explanation might be your brain\u2019s reticular activating system<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

    By focusing on those end goals that truly spark joy, you\u2019ll not only bring more clarity to your life but also make it easier for the right opportunities to find you.<\/p>\n

    So don\u2019t hold back\u2014let your imagination go big. After all, when you\u2019re clear, you\u2019re already halfway there.<\/p>\n

    2. Tie your intentions to your emotions<\/h3>\n

    According to Vishen, things that manifest as you think them are often fueled by how they make you feel, like joy, excitement, love, or peace. So, when you write down your intentions, imagine how you\u2019ll feel when you\u2019ve achieved them.<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s take the earlier example of setting intentions around a high-paying job. Think about the emotions tied to it. Is it the peace of knowing you\u2019re debt-free? The excitement of taking your kids on that dream vacation? Or the joy of waking up on a Monday, knowing you have the freedom to choose how you spend your time?<\/p>\n

    Think about it this way: if you can picture yourself happy and fulfilled instead of just checking off a box on your to-do list, you\u2019re way more likely to stay motivated. Right?<\/p>\n

    3. Write them down and put them where you\u2019ll see it<\/h3>\n

    Writing down your intentions can make them feel real. Plus, it\u2019s harder to forget something that, as Vishen says, \u201cis constantly in your field of vision<\/em>.\u201d <\/p>\n

    Now, let\u2019s say you\u2019re setting intentions for 2025. Create something tangible:<\/p>\n