Pushti ~ Grace

Its January, if setting goals this year, perhaps, consider a different approach.  Allow space for deep awareness. Do you set a similar goal each year, deeply fearful that you dont really know how to change, or not really wanting the change that you think you should want? 

True transformation, in itself, does not come from effort, but from Grace.  Pushti, or grace, is the path of doing the work, without regard to the fruits of our actions.  This is a karmic practice.  It is creating space for whatever practice brings you deeper awareness of all that you are, and all that you are not.  Allowing, accepting, admitting, and deeply loving yourself and others while trusting in the deeper wisdom of the universe.  In this way, we experience, santosha, contentment within the entire experience of life.  The good, the bad, and the ugly.  Being grateful for the joys and the sorrows, realizing that they both enrich our experience and teach us so much.  From this deep awareness, eventually we find loving acceptance, and the grace of contentment.

So, as we move from the inspiration of a new year, moving from dark to light, from old to new, this year, we do so with just a little more awareness.   Perhaps, take your proposed "goal" and sit with it in silence and notice what comes up for you.  Is there a feeling of lightness and fulfillment, or is there a sense of dread, fear, shame, or resistance? 

If a sense of lightness, than it is probably in line with your true nature and a realistic empowered intention...you have done the work and are naturally ready for the grace of transformation.  In this case, there will be little you have to "do", will require little effort, and will feel natural and light. 

If there is fear, there is more awareness and loving acceptance to be learned and processed, from a psychological and/or spiritual place.  Where is the fear coming from, if it is present?  This practice is not a quick fix, but with the continued openness that comes from really paying attention in a loving way, eventually, it will come.  Continuing your yoga practice, meditation, satsang privately with a teacher, or within your sangha/community, communing with nature, or any other practice that brings you still moments, deep reflections, or realizations that create space for awareness, will pave your way.
The difference between a goal and an intention is that an intention carries a different energy with it.  It is more present.  It is in line with our true nature and is realistic for us, in this moment.  There is not a fear of failure or a sense that we are not already whole, but, instead, an empowered sense of strength and inspiration.  It is not far out in the future, but Here Now.