It is estimated that 80% of people who made resolutions two weeks ago have already failed. By the end of the year, only 10% will succeed in reaching their resolution goal. When we look at resolutions, it seems a futile practice with little life-change and many unreached goals. The rate of failure may be tied to unrealistic goals or a lack of commitment to the process to get to the goal. We have a belief in how we would like our life to be (health, good habits, fitness, relationships, etc.), but we struggle to get there because we do not have the clear plan, determination, and intentionality.
Several years ago, I made the decision to end the practice of making a New Year’s Resolution. I decided picking a word for the New Year that I could apply to my life became an annual practice. I have in the past, chosen two or three words, but after reading the book, One Word that will change your life, I discovered the importance of keeping the process simple. The authors write, “Instead of trying to develop more willpower, we found a simple way to live more powerfully. Instead of creating goals and resolutions, we found a single word that would be our driving force for the year” (4). So, I decided in 2026, my word would be “Intentional.”
Intention is defined: “a determination to act in a certain way: Resolve.” Intend is defined: “to have in mind as a purpose or goal: Plan; to design for a specified use or future; to direct the mind on.” These words have a lot of similarities to a resolution, but they put the emphasis on the motivation and commitment behind the resolve. To be intentional is a measurement of the discipline to commit to certain actions and ways of living that will have a positive effect on the way my whole life is lived.
Ephesians 5:15-17 speaks to how we live our lives with intentionality when Paul writes, “Be very careful then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” We also read in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
I have discovered over the years a tendency in me to live in the flow of life without any real intentional effort. I fall into the trap of fatalism where I become complacent and live in a “whatever happens, happens” mentality. I see the goals I want to reach but tend to miss the intentional acts necessary to move from the stream of complacency to the adventure of intentionality. Intentionality requires discipline and perseverance to see oneself through the excuses to not continue a certain practice when the practice is tough.
So, in 2026, I plan to be more intentional in the way I live my life. I no longer want to live in complacency or riding the winds and currents of the day. I want to carpe diem (“seize the day”), surrendering my life each day to live intentionally following Jesus. I will follow an intentional schedule. Intentionally study, pray and journal each day. Intentionally be present with family and friends. Intentionally write to encourage, challenge, and educate others. I will make the most of every opportunity of every day.
How will you live intentionally in the new year? Do you find yourself at times falling into the stream of complacency that easily leads to apathetic and undisciplined living? Over the next couple weeks, I will share more specifically about how the Lord is calling me to live intentionally in the new year.
Prayer: Lord, it is easy in the craziness of the world to fall into complacency. I want to live intentionally following you. Keep my eyes fixed on your leadership and give me strength when I am tempted to fall back into that complacency. I love you, Lord. Amen.