Healing Happens in Increments & Lasting Change
Every new year begins with good intentions and loud promises. Every January, we watch the same ritual unfold. Goals are set high, routines are packed tight, and change is expected immediately. But for many of us, that intensity quickly turns into exhaustion and burnout.
Burnout isn’t a failure of discipline. It’s often a sign that change was forced rather than formed.
For this month’s blog, I want to invite into a different perspective: soul-setting goals vs traditional New Year setting goals, you may be asking What’s the difference? Let’s take a look.
The Difference Between New Year Goal Setting and Soul-Setting
While New Year goal setting and soul-setting both involve intention and a desire for change, the difference lies in sustainability, pace, and longevity.
Soul-setting is not another fad or productivity trend. It is the opposite of burnout culture. It is a way to build upon your goals day-by-day, month-to-month, and year-by-year, creating change that stands the test of time.
New Year Goal Setting
Traditional New Year goals are often driven by external pressures. We see them advertised everywhere at the end of December month and hear them echoed by friends, family and culture. They can feel exciting and motivating at first, but the focus is usually on outcomes, timelines, and measurable results.
The underlying question tends to be: “What should I accomplish this year?”
These goals often rely on motivation and willpower. They are ambitious, rigid, and tightly tied to the calendar. When life interrupts or energy dips, consistency becomes difficult, and missed goals can trigger guilt, self-criticism, and eventually burnout, leading many to abandon their goals altogether.
What does it Mean to be Soul-Set?
Soul-setting begins inward. It asks a different question: “What is my soul inviting me into, and what can I practice consistently?”
Remember the soul encompasses our mind, will, and emotions. Soul-setting invites us to listen to each of these with intention and care.
Rather than chasing outcomes, soul-set intentions focus on alignment and embodiment. They move slowly, allowing change to take root in a way that feels safe and sustainable. Progress is measured by consistency, not perfection.
One helpful framework for soul-setting is found in five Japanese Principles that beautifully support this way of living.
Five Japanese Principles that Support Soul-Setting
- Purpose Before Pressure: Ikigai
Ikigai teaches us that lasting changes begins with purpose. When intentions are rooted in meaning, they no longer feel like obligations. They feel like direction.
- This is where we listen closely to our mind, will, and emotions and ask: “What gives life and supports who I am becoming?”
- When the “why” is clear, consistency follows naturally.
- Progress Without Perfection: Wabi-Sabi
Wabi-Sabi teaches us to honor imperfection and unfinished growth. Healing does not move in straight lines, and neither does consistency.
- Soul-setting allows room for slower days, missed moments, and gentle restarts. Instead of striving, we settle into rhythm.
- Small Steps that Stay: Kaizen
Kaizen is the practice of incremental improvement. Tiny, consistent shifts repeated over time. This principle is at the heart of soul-set living.
- Rather than drastic changes that exhaust the body and mind, soul-setting chooses manageable practices that compound.
- Healing happens in increments because the body and soul respond to safety and repetition, not urgency.
- Grace in Life’s Interruptions: Shikata Ga Nai
Shikata Ga Nai teaches acceptance without self-blame. Life interrupts. Energy fluctuates. Seasons change.
- Soul-setting adapts rather than collapses. It releases guilt when circumstances shift and invites us to meet reality with grace and, at times, even laughter.
- Sometimes you just laugh it out.
- Compassion as the Container: Omoiyari
Omoiyari is deep compassion, both outward and inward. Consistency cannot exist where self-criticism dominates.
- When intentions are guided by compassion, we ask what the body needs rather than what it should endure.
- This builds trust within yourself, and trust is essential for lasting change.
Consistency is Formed, Not Forced
As you begin your soul-setting journey this year, consider approaching your goals with a new lens. Soul-set intentions create consistency because they respect the pace of healing. They move with the body, honor the soul, and allow change to take root slowly.
When pressure is removed, burnout fades. What replaces it is steady, faithful God-centered rhythm. One that carries you not just through the year, but into years ahead.
Warmly,
Coach Rio
Soul Set Supportive Resources
If you are looking for gentle support as your practice soul-setting, here are resources I trust and recommend.
