What does the new year mean to you? For me, it’s a time to set my intentions for the year to come. This ritual feels more positive and deliberate to me than a resolution, which I usually associate with giving something up.
Each January, I take some time to think about what I really want in the coming year. I do this with a group of people, and we call it “planting seeds,” but it’s really just setting intentions. I try not to pick too many—although it is tempting to list everything I want in my life—but the problem with too many seeds is that when they grow into plants, they’ll crowd each other and can’t get enough resources to thrive.
I’ve had years where I just picked one, and left it deliberately broad, to give myself room to develop it throughout the year. But since I started this practice, I’ve always found when I reflect back at the end of the year, I have made progress in that area. That’s because practice means progress.
So whether it’s for your work or your personal life, try planting your own seeds of intention this year. Water them regularly, and you’ll have a great harvest at the end of 2013.