As we start 2026, I recognise that many of us feel an internal shift. This may be as a result of a sense of boredom, an appetite for something new, a desire to change something, a change in focus on how we use our time, how we become more productive, seeking purpose or a need to increase our sense of connection. People are no longer just setting resolutions, we seem to be searching for personal alignment and that’s where intention setting can become a powerful practice. In this blog we will explore how you might start to consider setting intentions.
Intentions defined
Whereas resolutions are typically about setting goals to work towards, intentions are more about choosing how you want to be and show up in all aspects of your life. When we are clear on these, it can help shape our energy, influence our focus and guide our everyday decision making. It can become the compass or north star that guides us as we navigate work and life more holistically.
Why set intentions?
The world is feeling even more uncertain and life feels like it is going at a pace we have not experienced before. Technology is accelerating, patterns of work are shifting, more of us are wanting to prioritise and take charge of our own wellness, boundaries and ways of working.
I like to think of intentions as that north star, the “why” behind your goals, and the deeper reason you are motivated to do what you do. Intentions matter because they:
- Anchor you during uncertainty.
- Reconnect you with your values.
- Shape your choices, even when external circumstances shift.
- Cultivate mindfulness instead of pressure.
- Help you celebrate growth, not just outcomes.
How to set intentions for 2026
1. Reflect on the previous year
I am a big fan of the power of reflection and taking time to consider the learnings of the previous year is a powerful process. I encourage you to book time in the diary and make it a nourishing few hours, even considering where you carry out the activity, in a lovely coffee shop or sitting by a lake for example. You can consider the following questions:
- What went well in 2025? What am I proud of?
- What was challenging and what did I learn from it?
- What patterns of behaviour, work or lifestyle would be useful to eliminate?
- What would I like to feel more of?
2. Visualising success
It can be powerful to consider the year ahead and start to visualise what great looks like. Ask yourself:
- What would I like more of in 2025?
- What would I like less of in 2025?
- What words would describe a fulfilling year ahead?
- How do I want to be in 2026, from a physical, spiritual, mental and emotional perspective?
3. Metaphors and visuals
There are many ways to harness the feelings and intentions we want to create:
- Metaphors and visuals: consider a visual that articulates the intention. For example, if you want to develop your skills you might consider a sunflower blossoming, if you want to create more time it could be the visual of a clock, or if it’s about self-care then it might be that the ocean is a powerful metaphor. These are simply examples, what matters is for you to create something meaningful for you.
- Words: consider one or two words that create a theme for the year. For me last year’s words were “ease” and “connection”, by focusing on these across my work, they helped me to positively move forward.
4. Set Intentions rather than rules
The concept of intentions is invigorating and energising rather than a rule to follow that feels daunting or comes with it a sense of failure if not achieved. Resolutions often focus on what you must do whereas intentions are more about how you want to live. An example might be:
Resolution: “I must exercise five times a week”.
Becomes: an intention of “I welcome physical health through movement, such as walking, that energises me”.
5. Find rituals and habits
Once we have more clarity on our intentions then we can start to create habits around them. Last year I set an intention of having longer lunch breaks to support my wellbeing. I recognise that this has now become a habit, just like brushing my teeth in the mornings, it just happens without me having to work too hard at it.
6. Keep them alive
I encourage you to set times in the diary to reflect and connect with your intentions, some of my clients have a weekly or monthly practice, others once a quarter. This approach is vital to keeping them alive, coaching can also really help to support this activity too.
Final thoughts
2026 can be an invitation to live with more clarity and purpose through intention setting. Rather than feeling like we “have” to, or “must” do things, we instead move towards what we “want” to do and the energy in that is very different. Here’s to an energising year ahead!
As you start to reflect on your own intentions, I’d love to hear how you get on and how you find the different approaches. If you would like support in setting intentions for 2026, please get in touch to see how 1:1 leadership coaching can help.