You’re such a catalyst for creative thinking, Bernadette.
Your discussion about ‘resolve’ and ‘intention’ got me thinking of another word related to this topic, ‘resilience’.
It seems maintaining one’s intention requires a good deal of resilience because occasionally you’re going to have to bounce back from missteps and setbacks.
That word used to conjure up an image of an inflated punching dummy, the ones weighted at the bottom that bounce back and right themselves no matter how many times you knock them over.
But someone once suggested a better image for resilience. Think of watching a drunk going down a narrow hotel hallway. You’d see someone bouncing from wall to wall but always maintaining a forward momentum. Sure, there are deflections along the way, but the direction remains the same. The intention stays intact.
Both are resilient but one just absorbs the blows. The other keeps moving forward, even if the path isn't pretty.
If I'm striving to be resilient, I'd rather be the drunk going down a hallway than the punching dummy. However, I might need to workshop that analogy before I use it as my Substack tagline.
I bet you have a few stories about resilience up your sleeve, Gary. I look forward to seeing how that manifests in your storytelling in the year ahead. 🧡
Love the framing. The resolution approach doesnt work for me - that cliff edge feel to them. Maybe a resolution with a little breathing space in it (for when life gets in the way) does ... but I think that is safely into intention territory. I have also found intentions build habits or personal brand characteristics.
There's so much beautiful wisdom in this post Bernadette. Every year I choose 3 words (credit to Chris Brogan) that are more about meaningful intentions than goals. They help set the path for where I want to put my energy. After the stress, loss and grief of 2025 the three words really are all about how I want my life to look on the other side of all the challenges of 2025. They are Finish, Observe, Curate. I'll be writing about this more, I'm sure with the support of the beautiful community you've created in Story Republic. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for sharing this, Leanne. I hope 2026 is kind to you and I look forward to hearing more about what those words mean to you when you're ready to share.
Paradoxically, the world of work has pushed the importance of having specific and measurable goals. But, I found out it’s the same reason why people get stressed (fear of not achieving them) and focused on things that can’t be controlled.
I love the idea of choosing the right direction and developing a sustainable practice, as long as it builds the right identity.
Happy New Year! Thanks for reflecting with me, Lilian. Have you successfully built sustainable practices in the past? If so what helped you to do that?
At the end of 2007, I decided to dive deeper into professional social networks (LinkedIn, Viadeo). I spotted a quite active hub on new recruitment practices, wrote a post and asked a question about the connection between digital reputation and recruitment.
One person was engaged with this question and suggested to meet in person around a coffee for further discussion. On 28th April 2008, we (three people) decided to launch a blog that was actively read by the recruitment community. Over 1000 posts were created and it was an interesting practice.
What made this possible?
- leading with curiosity and asking hard questions
- not being afraid to meet strangers with similar interests
- a specific theme and an ideal pace
- a shared frame where all members were able to express themselves
- not obsessing about views per post
- staying curious and exploring
Underneath, seven elements mattered:
- setting a clear intention with controllable factors
- converging toward a new identity via a cumulation of small steps
- a consistent activity
- a sustainable pace
- detachment from perfectionism, vanity metrics and reassurance
I can sometimes lose sight of the big picture (my intentions) and begin to focus too much on accomplishing (being someone who always liked getting gold stars as a child), which eventually begins to make my work and also my self, feel a bit empty and drained. It is a good reminder to be present, to give myself grace for the things that weren't "perfect" or didn't work as planned and to find my way back to the path I set out on. Thank you and Happy New Year!
You’re such a catalyst for creative thinking, Bernadette.
Your discussion about ‘resolve’ and ‘intention’ got me thinking of another word related to this topic, ‘resilience’.
It seems maintaining one’s intention requires a good deal of resilience because occasionally you’re going to have to bounce back from missteps and setbacks.
That word used to conjure up an image of an inflated punching dummy, the ones weighted at the bottom that bounce back and right themselves no matter how many times you knock them over.
But someone once suggested a better image for resilience. Think of watching a drunk going down a narrow hotel hallway. You’d see someone bouncing from wall to wall but always maintaining a forward momentum. Sure, there are deflections along the way, but the direction remains the same. The intention stays intact.
Both are resilient but one just absorbs the blows. The other keeps moving forward, even if the path isn't pretty.
If I'm striving to be resilient, I'd rather be the drunk going down a hallway than the punching dummy. However, I might need to workshop that analogy before I use it as my Substack tagline.
I bet you have a few stories about resilience up your sleeve, Gary. I look forward to seeing how that manifests in your storytelling in the year ahead. 🧡
This Gary "Both are resilient but one just absorbs the blows. The other keeps moving forward, even if the path isn't pretty." Thanks for this.
Love the framing. The resolution approach doesnt work for me - that cliff edge feel to them. Maybe a resolution with a little breathing space in it (for when life gets in the way) does ... but I think that is safely into intention territory. I have also found intentions build habits or personal brand characteristics.
I hear you, Ciaran. And yes, intentions create habits that lead to stepwise progress. Thanks for the reminder.
How Amazingly you explain this: don’t depend on willpower. Build rituals and habits that shape who you become. Thank you Bernadette
Thanks, Anil. It's not as always as easy to implement as it is to write about but naming the challenge and some strategies helps.
Happy New Year!
There's so much beautiful wisdom in this post Bernadette. Every year I choose 3 words (credit to Chris Brogan) that are more about meaningful intentions than goals. They help set the path for where I want to put my energy. After the stress, loss and grief of 2025 the three words really are all about how I want my life to look on the other side of all the challenges of 2025. They are Finish, Observe, Curate. I'll be writing about this more, I'm sure with the support of the beautiful community you've created in Story Republic. Thanks for all you do.
Thanks for sharing this, Leanne. I hope 2026 is kind to you and I look forward to hearing more about what those words mean to you when you're ready to share.
Thank you for your post, Bernadette! 🙏🏾
Paradoxically, the world of work has pushed the importance of having specific and measurable goals. But, I found out it’s the same reason why people get stressed (fear of not achieving them) and focused on things that can’t be controlled.
I love the idea of choosing the right direction and developing a sustainable practice, as long as it builds the right identity.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Thanks for reflecting with me, Lilian. Have you successfully built sustainable practices in the past? If so what helped you to do that?
At the end of 2007, I decided to dive deeper into professional social networks (LinkedIn, Viadeo). I spotted a quite active hub on new recruitment practices, wrote a post and asked a question about the connection between digital reputation and recruitment.
One person was engaged with this question and suggested to meet in person around a coffee for further discussion. On 28th April 2008, we (three people) decided to launch a blog that was actively read by the recruitment community. Over 1000 posts were created and it was an interesting practice.
What made this possible?
- leading with curiosity and asking hard questions
- not being afraid to meet strangers with similar interests
- a specific theme and an ideal pace
- a shared frame where all members were able to express themselves
- not obsessing about views per post
- staying curious and exploring
Underneath, seven elements mattered:
- setting a clear intention with controllable factors
- converging toward a new identity via a cumulation of small steps
- a consistent activity
- a sustainable pace
- detachment from perfectionism, vanity metrics and reassurance
- focus on building the library
- being surrounded by the right people
What a fabulous example of stepwise progress, Lilian!
Kudos to you and your writing partners for doing the work that called to you.
Happy 2026 💕💕💕
Happy New Year, Kellie! 🧡
I can sometimes lose sight of the big picture (my intentions) and begin to focus too much on accomplishing (being someone who always liked getting gold stars as a child), which eventually begins to make my work and also my self, feel a bit empty and drained. It is a good reminder to be present, to give myself grace for the things that weren't "perfect" or didn't work as planned and to find my way back to the path I set out on. Thank you and Happy New Year!
You're not alone, Marion!
Here's to being present for the work that's calling us in the new year ahead. 🧡
LOVE this!!
Thanks for being here, Miki, and Happy New Year!