3 Words to Keep You on Track in 2017
I am wishing you all a Happy New Year!
The beginning of the year is a good time to think about what you want to achieve this year. I don’t mean the famous New Year’s resolutions but something wider and strategic. What kind of life do you want to live?
To kick off proceedings this year, I am trying Chris Brogan’s way of picking 3 words for the year to guide me and keep me on course. I tried it with one last year, but it didn’t go so well. It took me about a week to settle on my three words. I made an initial selection and then mulled over them for a few days till I found the words that felt right. My 3 words for this year and why I picked them:
Healthy: I have several health issues which I hope to address and manage better this year. I can also apply it as a motivator for my businesses and finances.
Clear: I want to clear out my offline and online spaces, but I also want to get clearer where I am going with my businesses and communicating their purpose. I had a major change in my other business which gives me a new starting point to get clear on strategy, processes and goals. I also want to get better at prioritising and focusing on the important things – having a clear plan every day of what needs doing.
Pause: To become healthy, I need to pause more – take more rests, take regular breaks from working at the computer etc. But it also reminds me to pause in what I am doing and think things through – is what I am doing just busy work in my comfort zone or is it important?
In order to not forget about them as life gets busier, I am writing them down each day at the top of my to-do list. I also repeat them to myself over and over again when I am out for a walk. Each day, I look at my to-do list to see if my tasks are in alignment with at least one of the words. For example bringing old household items to the recycling centre fits with “clear”. Or walking my landlady’s dog can fit with all three, because I am exercising in the fresh air it is “healthy”, it is a “pause” from working and it can “clear” my head. You can even fit unavoidable tasks in there like paying bills means my finances are healthy.
Were you inspired to try this exercise and what are your words? And how do you make sure you keep them in mind?