This morning, I woke up, glanced at my brand-new Apple Watch (a Christmas gift), and saw that it read 7:00 AM—the exact time I planned to get up for my morning walk with a friend. Confident that I was on schedule, I let my dog, Bishop, outside and checked my watch again (without my glasses, once more). But this time, it read 7:40 AM—the precise time I needed to leave my house! And I was nowhere near ready.
Luckily, my friend was understanding and even used the extra time to grab us coffee. I rushed to get dressed and made it to the park just 10 minutes late. We ended up walking 3.5 miles, enjoying the crisp morning air and the warmth of our drinks.
During our walk, we started talking about our intentions for the new year—focus, determination, health, gratitude, and energy. But little did I know, I was about to learn a lesson that would shift my entire perspective on goal-setting.
Setting Intentions for a Successful Year: Shift Your Mindset
Why am I telling you this? Because it’s a perfect way to start a conversation about time, focus, and manifesting change.
This year, one of my priorities is setting intentions for a successful new year by focusing on what truly matters—growth, well-being, and investing in my future self. I also want to share more of my insights, lessons, and personal growth with you.
I also want to share a little secret… I’m a Genius!
Well, not that kind of genius! I’m part of the Jay Shetty Genius Community, where I’ve been learning valuable life lessons, meditation techniques, and mindset shifts that have made me a better person, coach, and mentor. Every Sunday, I get the chance to listen to Jay live in our group, and his words always hit home.
This year, I’ve decided to pay it forward by sharing some of these lessons with you. So, if you’re up for the journey, let’s dive into one of the biggest takeaways I received from Jay’s session on January 3rd, 2021.
Why Setting Intentions for a Successful New Year Matters
Jay’s message was simple but powerful:
👉 "This is the year to set the right intentions to manifest the life you want. Surround yourself with the right people, seek coaching and mentorship, and invest in your health. Be ready, aware, and prepared for what lies ahead—financial health, career growth, personal goals, and well-being."
And here’s the key principle that really stuck with me:
💡 “Don’t create a list of expectations—create a list of investments.”
We often focus on outcomes (expectations), but real change happens when we focus on inputs (investments). That’s why setting intentions for a successful new year requires a shift in mindset.
Setting Intentions for a Successful New Year with Daily Focus and Habits
During meditation, we focused on:
✨ Calm
✨ Balance
✨ Ease
✨ Stillness
✨ Peace
Jay challenged us to ask ourselves:
What seeds are you planting this year?
What quality do you want to develop for a fulfilling year?
What lesson did you learn last year that you don’t want to repeat?
What energy are you bringing to this year?
Instead of wondering what the year will bring you, ask yourself, "What energy am I bringing into this year?"
Close your eyes and visualize walking through a door labeled 2021. What do you see?
🔹 Who are the people in your life? Are you happy with the faces you see? Who do you need more of, and who might need to go?
🔹 Where are you spending your time? Home? Nature? Netflix? Where do you want to be?🔹 What projects are you focused on? Personal growth? Business? Creativity?
The Key to Setting Intentions for a Successful New Year: Investment Over Expectation
💡 Expectation = Exit (The end result)
💡 Investment = Input, Intention (What you put in)
Western culture teaches us to focus on results, while Eastern culture emphasizes investment, process, and intention. We set goals without considering what’s required to achieve them. That’s where we go wrong.
Exercise: Focus on Your Intentions
Write down five expectations you have for this year in these areas:
1️⃣ Physical
2️⃣ Business & Financial
3️⃣ Mental
4️⃣ Relationships
5️⃣ Spiritual
📝 My Examples:
✔️ Physical: Yoga 5 days a week, walk daily (weather permitting), use my elliptical 3–5 days a week.
✔️ Business & Financial: Strengthen my current businesses and revenue streams. Show up 100% for every client.
✔️ Mental: Meditate daily, finish Think Like a Monk (Jay Shetty) and The Healthy Deviant (Pilar Gerasimo), and apply their lessons.
✔️ Relationships: Create fun, meaningful experiences with my husband, kids, and friends (socially distanced until fully immunized).
✔️ Spiritual: Deepen my meditation practice, be more present in prayer and gratitude.
💡 Important Lesson: None of these expectations will happen unless I put in time and energy. The investment is the time, and the intention is the energy.
Setting Intentions for a Successful Year by Managing Your Time
⏳Are you spending time or investing it? Plan your calendar with focus and intention.. When something is scheduled, you honor it. When it’s not, distractions take over. Be mindful of time stealers—social media scrolling, endless emails, or commitments that don’t align with your goals.
The R.A.R. Method: Research, Act, Reflect for a Successful New Year
1️⃣ Research - Learn about what you want to achieve.
2️⃣ Act - Take action and start.
3️⃣ Reflect - Adjust and improve as needed.
Questions to Ask Yourself for a Focused Year:
✅ What are your investments this year?
✅ What seeds are you planting?
✅ Where are you stretching yourself?
Think of your capacity like a rubber band—if you stretch too fast, it snaps. But if you stretch gradually, you grow stronger over time.
Rewire Your Mindset: Setting Intentions for a Successful Year
Ask yourself: What am I investing in terms of Time, Money, and Energy (T.M.E)?
This mindset shift changed the way I approached my calendar, my work, and my personal growth. It gave me more clarity, optimism, and motivation. I hope it does the same for you.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! What are you investing in this year? Drop a comment below and share your intentions.
Here’s to a fulfilling and transformative year! 🎉
If you ever need guidance, you can find me at Restorative Wellness and Weight Loss and Your Wellness With Wendy.
P.S. If anyone knows how to properly set an alarm on an Apple Watch Series 6, send me an email at wendy@restorativewwl.com. Seriously. 😆
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