I recently connected with a longtime colleague who I’ve always considered a beacon of light and inspiration. In reflecting on the New Year, he commented: “I’m no longer making resolutions; I’m making decisions.” It struck me enough to Google the difference.
Resolutions are commitments to long-term goals or intentions to change behavior — often tied to personal growth or improvement. They are about aspirations and promises we make to ourselves, like resolving to be healthier, more patient, or more organized.
Decisions, on the other hand, are about taking action now. They are immediate, specific choices that lead to tangible results. While resolutions set the direction, decisions drive the momentum forward. For example, instead of resolving to “be healthier,” deciding to go for a run today makes that goal real.
His words made me realize that while resolutions set the stage for change, our decisions — the steps we take every day — create progress and transformation.
This year, I’m focusing less on resolutions and more on making purposeful decisions that move me closer to who I want to be. As a leader, this means acting with intention – making deliberate choices that inspire progress, foster growth, and turn aspirations into reality.
As leaders, what’s holding us back from acting with intentionality?
Failing to envision what a better life could look like. Without a clear vision, it’s easy to drift through our days without purpose. When we don’t take the time to imagine what a better version of our leadership, team, or life could be, we lose the motivation to make purposeful choices. Vision provides the clarity and direction necessary to make decisions that align with our aspirations. By intentionally defining what “better” looks like, we give ourselves a target to aim for and a reason to act decisively.
Falling into routines that bog us down. Habits and routines can be powerful, but when they become mindless, they hinder growth. It’s easy to fall into comfortable patterns that no longer serve us or our goals. These routines can keep us in maintenance mode rather than growth mode. Acting with intention means periodically evaluating our routines, shedding those that no longer add value, and making space for practices that drive progress. The new year is a perfect time to re-evaluate old routines while building towards better in the months ahead.
Not making decisions that advance us toward our goals. Procrastination, indecision, or fear of making the wrong choice can paralyze us. When we delay decisions or avoid them altogether, we miss opportunities to move forward. Each decision we make — no matter how small — has the potential to build momentum toward our goals. Acting with intentionality means committing to decisions that align with our vision, trusting our judgment, and understanding that progress is made through consistent action, not perfection.
As we enter the new year, let’s remember that our leadership isn’t defined by the resolutions we set but by our decisions and actions. No matter how small, each purposeful decision moves us closer to our vision, sparks momentum, and fosters growth. We create meaningful progress by shedding routines that no longer serve us, embracing clarity of vision, and making choices that align with our goals. This year, let’s choose action over intention, momentum over hesitation, and transformation over stagnation. After all, it’s the decisions we live by that shape who we become and the impact we leave behind.
