Pick a Word. Any Word. Then, Throw your Resolutions out the Door.
I'm bringing back a blog post from last year that I really loved (and many of you did, too).
My mom, Patti Winker, told me about this awesome blog post..
Read it! -> Resolution Revolution.
I liked the blog post so much that I'm assigning homework based upon the idea to all of my coaching clients.
What is it exactly?
In this article, the author, Christine Kane, states that New Year's Resolutions don't work (which is completely true). Most people make BIG resolutions, can't keep them, and then abandon their resolutions within weeks.
I personally feel that failed resolutions can make us feel like our goals are NOT achievable, and it also is bad for self-esteem when we go to try to achieve them the next time, causing us to think “Why bother. I didn't succeed last year. I might as well quit again.”
Christine instead suggests that you should choose a single word that will be your motivation or mantra for the entire year.
Last year, I found the exercise to be very telling. I narrowed mine down to three words. And, the three worked together nicely, actually.
In fact, there were times of sadness last year after the adoption fell through, when one of my words really got me through it.
Now, before you go LOOKING for your word, I want to stop you for a second.
Instead of making it a mission to find a word, I'd ask that you read through Christine's blog post and see which words choose you.
Yes, I said that right. Which word chooses YOU.
In my experience, the right one(s) will jump out of the screen at you. For instance, the one that picked my mom is totally different than the ones that picked me.
What word will choose you? I believe the one that you need RIGHT now will stand out to you. In fact, my word this year stuck with me – even though I kept trying to pick a “cooler” word. But, no. Every time I thought about this one word, I felt something. So my word must be exactly what I need this year, because I even dreamed about it last night.
Last year, I printed off my three words in HUGE font and hung them on my wall. I will do so again this year.
I will share my words (and pics) from last year and this year in a few days. 🙂
But, for right now, here's what to do.
1. Please go read the blog post and let your word jump out at you.
2. Post your ONE to THREE words below in the comments. (No more.)
Now these words are NOT goals like “build list” or “lose weight” – but a word that will be your mantra for YOU all year long.
Looking forward to making 2013 your BEST YEAR EVER!
With love,
N
PS> If you don't remember your word from last year, you can find the 2012 New Year's Word Post here.
Jenn
January 15, 2013 at 1:54 pmMy word from her list is MASTERY. It stuck with me as I continued reading and falls right in line with what the Lord ministered to me as my focus for this year. I love it when the Lord confirms his direction.
Mary
January 15, 2013 at 1:42 pmAnd my word is …
Listen.
(To myself.)
The Mom
January 15, 2013 at 2:08 pmThanks, Nik! I’m so glad you liked this idea… so much that you’re doing it again. 😉
Okay, last night when we talked I thought I had my word. Then today I clicked on Christine’s blog post and read the list. A different word chose me. I can’t deny it. It’s there. Why? I don’t know. But I’m going to go with it. Thanks, Nik, for the nudge. Here’s my word:
GRATITUDE
(Last year it was DELIGHT. I printed it out, colored it pretty, and taped it to my bathroom mirror. Did it work? Yes. Every time I saw that word I would ask myself if what I was planning to do that day was bringing me DELIGHT in my life. Sometimes the answer was NO and that would make me question the direction I was taking. It works.)
Debbie
January 15, 2013 at 2:25 pmThis is a FABULOUS post. Thanks for sharing it!
I have two words: DELIBERATENESS and MASTERY
I think they actually work together quite well because there’s no way you’ll accomplish the second without the first. And the Deliberateness conquers the urge to pursue the futile fluff.
Thanks!
Kristin
January 15, 2013 at 2:34 pmMy two words:
Confidence and Focus
Two things I have been lacking. 2013 is the year! thanks for this post! 🙂
Carl
January 15, 2013 at 3:24 pmAwesome way of looking at a New Year….I stopped making New Years Resolutions quite some time ago and I actually replaced them with a real concrete goal planning process. And now that this new idea has been introduced to me I love it:
My two words are:
Power and Commitment
I have the power to make positive change in my life and others around me including my online clientele and I am very committed to the process of positive change.
Rob
January 15, 2013 at 3:58 pmNicole – Thanks for yet another insightful and timely post. I have been truly looking at what I am doing, and trying to determine what I should be doing and what I should stop. With that said, my 2 rods for 2013:
CLARITY and ACTION
I need to remove all the noise and distraction and bring clarity to my life and goals. It’s really hard to drive 100mph in dense fog….(and not safe either – and yes, I am speaking figuratively…)
Once I have that clarity, then I need to commit to doing something – to execute. Therefore, ACTION is an essential element.
I am already creating the signs to post on my wall in my office, at home, and in my car.
2013 – THE year.
Celene Harrelson | The Happypreneur
January 15, 2013 at 5:41 pmMy word this year is “purposeful”. What ever I do this year, it has to be on purpose!
Sharon McPherson
January 15, 2013 at 6:20 pmThanks Nicole, this definitely will give me a different perspective on the coming year.
The 3 words that chose me are
Health
Courage
Choice
Nicole
January 15, 2013 at 6:34 pmOoh. I am loving these. Keep them coming, please! 🙂
N
Kat Dennis
January 15, 2013 at 9:02 pmThese are mine
Focus
Discipline
Generosity
Kathy Robinson
January 16, 2013 at 12:15 amThank you Nicole. What a wonderful idea. I went through the list a few times and felt abundance was my word. Then I went back and read it again and when I reached trust, I felt it in my heart and my gut. My eyes were stuck on that word. So for 2013, I will trust that everything I work on will bear fruit. Both in my business life and my personal life.
Loralee Hutton
January 15, 2013 at 11:47 pmGreat blog post and love Christine Kane too!
My word for 2013 is
Courage
It encompasses most everything I’ve been struggling with last year. When I do something courageous, my self esteem improves, my work gets a little bit more visibility, I feel better physically and I often see more money in the bank. So I’ve promised myself that I will be courageous at least today and tomorrow. And only as long as it still serves me. So far it’s working. Some pretty amazing things have happened in the first 15 days of Jan.
Tracy Roberts
January 16, 2013 at 11:10 amMy word is POWER and I don’t even know what to say about that.
The words excites me as much as it scares me.
I promise I will be responsible with whatever power is entrusted to me.
Thanks for always pushing me to be better, Nik.
Romona Burns
January 17, 2013 at 10:56 pmI have been around way too long and have started way too many projects.. They never seem to be quite good enough or maybe something shinier comes along. 🙂 So my 2 words are:
Focus
Action
This is much better than a New Years Resolution. Thanks.
~Mona
Carol O.
January 19, 2013 at 8:18 amThe three words that chose me are:
Creativity
Confidence
Focus
Clare
January 20, 2013 at 10:01 amNice post 🙂
My three words are:
Action – I need to take far more action this year than the last. No more procrastination.
Laughter – Didn’t get enough last year.
Love – For myself and my kids.
Purnima
January 20, 2013 at 10:06 amThis is such an inspiring post . I too have many a times made vague yet big resolutions which are difficult to achieve . This is an interesting idea and seems promising as well . My word is Happiness . For me now happiness is a choice and i have realized that i have the power to make things work when they are not going my way .
Bogdan
January 25, 2013 at 5:59 amCute article 🙂
My word for this year is going to be : Goosfraba ! 🙂