Intention. A loaded word isn’t it? A goal or a regret.
I didn’t intend to hurt your feelings. Sounds like regret to me.
I intend to make better choices in the New Year. More like a goal, right?
As I prepared this post, the educator in me wanted to analyze the etymology of the word and delve into its history and origin before getting to the point. But, I’m not sure that would be the best use of our time, so if interested, you can read more about it here.
Today, I want to focus more on the positive side of intentions. As we embark on a new year, I know we all want to do better. Be better. Love better. We want to end this year feeling like our intentions were good and we lived up to them.
One of the things that we are going to talk a lot about in this series is thinking before taking action. Example: You intend to focus on producing less consumer waste. This is a great intention. Now let’s plan our attack. A great way to do so is by developing SMART goals.
Let’s create a SMART goal to help us produce less consumer waste.
SMART Goals
Specific: I am going to minimize purchasing one-use products such as plastic water bottles and paper towels.
Measurable: I will measure my progress by monitoring my purchases of these items.
Attainable: I will support my efforts by purchasing Breifton’s set of six, reusable glass water bottles and eliminating paper towels from my kitchen with Simply Reusable Paper Towels. Reusable cotton rounds have been one I have committed to this year. I also love these Moroccan tea glasses made from recycled bottles from High Atlas Moon in Georgetown in Washington, D.C. I met Stacy, the founder, and fell in love with these cups as well as her mission and story behind her beautiful products.
Relevant: This small act supports the improvement of our environment.
Time: I will reevaluate this goal each month.
In conclusion, as you are setting intentions, goals, resolutions, think about this SMART activity. Above all, think about what it might feel like to revisit your intentions at the end of the year and feel like you met your goal, instead of living with regret.
~Guest post written by Cadi Jean
