January often arrives with an open invitation to start afresh, but February brings something different, a gentle pause, a moment to settle into the rhythm of the year ahead. By now, the initial excitement of new beginnings may have softened, making this the perfect time to reflect with intention and gratitude.
Before we rush forward, let’s take a breath and acknowledge what already exists. You see, gratitude is a powerful force, and science confirms that expressing it can rewire our brains. When we focus on the good in our lives, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitters that shift our mood, lift our spirit and expand our perspective to see abundance where we might have previously seen lack.
Let’s check in with a question or two.
What in your life is already working for you?
Who or what are you deeply grateful for?
I’ve found that recognising the goodness that is already present brings both clarity and confidence and gives me the courage to take bold, aligned steps forward.
Intentions Before Goals
While many set goals at the start of the year, I invite you to begin instead with intention.
Intentions and goals are different yet deeply connected. Intentions are guiding principles that shape your choices, actions, and mindset; they set the tone for your life. Goals, on the other hand, are specific, measurable outcomes you aim to achieve. If goals provide the destination, intentions are your internal compass, pointing you toward what is truly meaningful.
When we start with intention, we cultivate greater clarity and purpose, which feeds the nice, meaningful stuff. On the other hand, without these intentions, goals can feel hollow, leading to achievements that don’t necessarily fulfil our deeper desires.
So, instead of asking only, What do I want to accomplish this year?, I invite you to ask:
- How do I want to feel?
- What qualities do I want to embody?
- What values and purpose do I want to live by?
When goals follow intentions, they stop feeling like pressures or demands and become natural expressions of who you are.
Let’s take a simple yet powerful approach.
- Begin with gratitude. What are you thankful for in this moment? List everything that comes to mind.
- Reflect on how you want to show up. Do you want to feel calm, courageous, connected, joyful, energised, confident, or loving? What resonates most with your heart?
- Craft one or two intentions based on these reflections.
- Then, set your goals to support your intentions.
This process isn’t about abandoning ambition but about grounding it in what truly matters.
Goals born from intention feel authentic and fulfilling because they arise from who you are, not who you think you “should” be.
Please give it a go and see how it feels for you. I’d love to hear what unfolds.
