Intentions

In the lead-up to January 1st of this year, I kept coming across people talking about "Intentions." Most specifically, Intelligent Change has been talking up intentions instead of resolutions. They argue that resolutions focus on outcomes (I want to do x by y), and that you set yourself up for failure when life inevitable throws you a curve ball. But intentions focus on meeting yourself where you are now and helping you become a better person by focusing on the who and how.

I will admit though, this whole "who and how" thing doesn't quite make sense to me. Isn't it still kind of a "what"? 

• Like the example they give in that article I linked to above is:

Resolutions focus on the what. Example: “I’ll get a promotion.”

Intentions focus on the who and how. Example: “I’ll approach my work with curiosity, dedication, and purpose.”

The way I read that, you're still "approaching your work" - or looking at the what. I also don't really see how this shifts your mindset to the present moment - you're still looking to the future, just in a less vague way than when you make a resolution.

Needless to say, I did fill out the Intelligent Change Reflections and Intentions sheet that came with their Habit Tracker bundle that I picked up out of curiosity. And I set the intention "I want to be the healthiest version of myself that I can be." So I'm going to use that as my intention for 2025, and see how it goes. Maybe it will help direct me to make healthier choices throughout the year?