The idea of planning a whole year can feel daunting. Twelve months is a long stretch to predict, control, or commit to especially when life rarely goes exactly as planned.
That’s why rigid goals often lose momentum. They leave little room for change, energy dips, or unexpected events and when life doesn’t cooperate, people assume they’ve failed.
Planning with intent.
A more sustainable approach is to plan with intention rather than pressure.
Small intentions act as quiet anchors. They don’t demand perfection they offer direction. Instead of setting targets you have to chase, they help you make everyday decisions that align with what matters to you.
Tapping into how you feel.
A helpful place to start is with how you want your life to feel. Calm? Spacious? Balanced? Less rushed? More intentional? These feelings can guide practical choices in ways that rigid goals can’t.
Small intentions work best when they are:
- Few in number (one or two is enough)
- Flexible, not fixed
- Rooted in your current reality
For example, an intention to “protect my energy” might influence how you schedule your week, how often you say yes, or how much you plan into each day. It’s not a task to complete, it’s a lens you look through.
Bite size chunks.
It’s also helpful to think in shorter timeframes. Rather than mapping the entire year, consider the next season. Ask yourself what you need now, knowing that it’s allowed to change later.
Intentions that stick don’t shout.
They gently guide.
When you plan this way, the year ahead feels less like a test you have to pass and more like something you’re allowed to shape thoughtfully, one realistic step at a time.
How I can help.
If you feel that you would like some help to map out your intentions, to help you keep them realistic and doable, please do drop me a line – we can organise a free 30 minute discovery call to help you understand how I work and to see if we could work together – I’d be delighted to help!
kate@katetilston.co.uk
