As we move toward the end of the year, many of us start thinking about resolutions; those lists of things we promise ourselves will somehow make the next year better, more productive, more something.
“Get fit. Save money. Travel more. Write the book.” Sound familiar?
Safe to say we have all been there. The gyms fill up in January, planners fly off the shelves, and we set ourselves a map of “things to achieve” as if life were a series of neatly laid-out checkpoints.
But what happens when we do not hit them? When life does what life does: throws us curveballs, changes our direction, or shows us possibilities we never anticipated?
I don’t do resolutions and for the last few years, I have been adapting my goal-setting process, and it all started with a simple question: What if there was another way?
What if the most meaningful year of your life was not measured in milestones or ticked-off checkboxes but in how deeply you lived it? What if, instead of goals, we led with intention?
So I wanted to explore this concept of intentions, but marry it with some practical steps we can all take. I am not ditching the traditional goal-setting model for 2025, but perhaps there is a hybrid approach—one that is more fluid, reflective, and, ultimately, fulfilling.
The problem with goals: Why metrics can hold you back
I love goals. I like setting them. I like achieving them. So, yes, setting goals is not bad. Goals can provide direction and focus when we need them. They help us stay on track, measure progress, and give us something to aim for.
But here is where goals fall short: when they become rigid, relentless, and reductionist.
1. Rigid goals ignore life’s realities
Life is not a straight line, and it is not linear. Yet we often treat our goals as if they are set: start in January and achieve by December. If something unexpected happens (and it always does), we feel like we have somehow “failed” when, in reality, we were simply responding to life’s twists and turns.
2. Goals can limit creativity and adaptability
When we are laser-focused on hitting a specific target, we might miss opportunities to explore. Say you set a goal to launch one product, but halfway through, a new idea emerges that is even better. Would you pivot? Or stick stubbornly to the original plan just to “achieve the goal”?
3. The pressure to achieve can steal fulfillment
Goals often turn into checkboxes. Did it. Done. Next. But checking a box does not necessarily mean you feel satisfied, fulfilled, or alive. How many times have you achieved a goal, only to find it anti-climactic? Sometimes, the relentless chase of achievement overshadows the deeper experiences that truly enrich our lives.
Leading with intention: A better way
So, what do we do instead? I believe there is space for a hybrid model—one that delivers focus and direction through goals but anchors us in something higher, something deeper.
The answer lies in intentions.
Intentions are less about what you accomplish and more about how you show up in your life. They focus on the direction you are heading, the feelings you want to cultivate, and the person you want to become.
Think of goals as markers on a map and intentions as the compass. Goals say, “I will get to this destination by this time.” Intentions say, “No matter what happens, I will stay true to this path.”
Together, they work beautifully: Goals give you structure, while intentions ensure you stay connected to what truly matters.
Choosing a theme for your year
One way to lead with intention is to choose a theme for your year—something that acts as a guidepost for how you live, work, and lead.
Your theme could be:
- A feeling: “I want more ease, joy, or curiosity in my life.”
- A focus: “I will embrace creativity.”
- A question: “How can I contribute to something larger than myself?”
Unlike traditional goals, a theme is adaptable. It moves with you through the highs and lows. It shapes how you approach decisions, challenges, and opportunities throughout the year.
For example:
- If your theme is connection, you might prioritise deepening relationships over constantly chasing productivity.
- If your theme is growth, you will embrace both successes and setbacks as part of the process.
- If your theme is curiosity, you will explore without the pressure of “figuring it all out.”
Try to find a theme that crosses as many aspects of your life as possible. It might not always be possible, but the less competing themes you have, the clearer your intention will be.
A hybrid approach: Intention + the rule of 3s
Here is where intentions meet structure. A year without overwhelming, rigid resolutions does not mean a year without direction. We are simply shifting the focus from hitting targets at all costs to moving forward with intention.
If you like structure (and let us be honest, most of us do), the rule of 3s is a simple yet powerful way to marry intention with progress:
1. Set 3 key goals for the next 3 months
Instead of planning for the entire year, focus on the next 90 days. What three areas of your life, personal, professional, or relational, matter most right now?
- Example: “Improve my health, strengthen client relationships, and start a creative hobby.”
2. Choose 3 weekly actions that support your goals
Big goals can feel daunting. Breaking them into smaller, weekly actions keeps you moving forward.
- Example:
- For health: “Take two morning walks, cook dinner three times, and drink more water.”
- For relationships: “Schedule a coffee with a key client, send a thank-you email, and check in with a teammate.”
- For creativity: “Buy a sketchbook, carve out 20 minutes to draw, and watch a beginner’s art tutorial.”
As someone who likes variety and can get bored easily, I find this process works well for me as I can mix and match the goals staying true to the goals that align to my intention.
3. Review and adjust every 3 months
At the end of 90 days, take stock. What worked? What did not? Life changes, so let your goals evolve too. This is not about “finishing” something, it is about staying aligned with your intention and keeping your momentum strong. And make sure you celebrate the goals you did achieve!
Intention + Simplicity = Progress
Combining intention with the rule of 3s gives you the best of both worlds: the freedom to adapt and the focus to make progress. Your intention becomes the compass that keeps you on course, while your goals act as markers along the way.
You might find that your theme or guiding question, like “How can I bring more connection into my life?”, shapes the goals you set. Or perhaps the small, weekly actions reconnect you with what truly matters, week by week.
This way, you are not stuck measuring success by checkboxes. You are living deeply, moving intentionally, and adapting as life unfolds.
Your year, Your story
So, as you stand on the edge of 2025, let go of the pressure of resolutions. Instead, choose a theme, a feeling, or a question to guide you. Set three goals for the next three months. Take three meaningful actions each week. And when life changes course, as it always does, let your intention anchor you, and your goals evolve with you.
Because progress does not always mean relentless achievement. Success is not just about ticking boxes. A year lived deeply is one where you feel more present, more aligned, and more alive.
Life is not a checklist. It is a story.
And you? You are the writer.
So, what will your theme for 2025 be? What kind of story will you choose to write?
Take a breath. Take your time. The next chapter is yours to create. Exactly as it should be.
And as always, if you invest in yourself, the rewards will be unfathomable.
Until next time.
Ps. This is part three of a five-part series (see last week’s post). If you want to keep up, please consider subscribing. Next week, we will explore Permission to pause: The leader’s guide to doing nothing.
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