Resolutions Stink: And What Works Better for Me.
I'm bringing back a blog post from last year and the year before that 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.
Two years ago, 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.
And, last year, my word “RELEASE” was my mantra all year long.
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 last year (RELEASE) 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 needed last year, because I even dreamed about it.
I always print off my word (or words) in HUGE font and hung them on my wall. I will do so again this year.
So, 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” or “be an author” – but a word that will be your mantra for YOU all year long.
Looking forward to making 2014 your BEST YEAR EVER!
With love,
N
PS> If you don't remember your word from last year, you can find the 2013 New Year's Word Post here.
If you're wondering… my word for 2014 is:
I'd lost some of the fun in my business lately – and I'm bringing it back. Watch out!
The Mom
December 20, 2013 at 12:59 pmIt truly IS amazing how the word ‘chooses you.’ I know I tried to steer my choice toward certain words that I thought would be better for me. But when it came down to it, a certain other word just wouldn’t leave me alone. Last year’s word was GRATITUDE. I haven’t done my assignment yet for next year’s word, but I will today and get back to you. 😀
Nicole
December 21, 2013 at 3:08 pmAnd.. what are they? 🙂
Shan
December 20, 2013 at 1:32 pmSelf-love, confident, prayerfulness.
You said to put no more than three words but your system wouldn’t let me do that. So…have a lovely Christmas 🙂
Nicole
December 21, 2013 at 3:08 pmIt sounds to me like you are looking forward to a year of healing and will be moving in a direction of more peace in your life. Congrats. Love it!
Kat Sturtz
December 20, 2013 at 10:43 pmWell, I *tried* to choose Consistency, Allow, Rejoice, but they wouldn’t cooperate. Am glad. The words that came and moved in feel right:
Abundance – Courage – Discipline
Nicole
December 21, 2013 at 3:06 pmKat – your words fit together perfectly! Congrats. 🙂
Cindy Bidar
December 21, 2013 at 3:14 pmFocus.
I will focus more on my favorite projects and less on the ones I don’t love. I will focus more in general, so I don’t feel so scattered all the time. And I will focus on building a business instead of a job. 🙂
Tracy Roberts
December 21, 2013 at 4:22 pmMy Three Words for 2014 are Courage, Compassion, Grace
Kelly McCausey
December 21, 2013 at 7:11 pmI’ve got my word Nicole!
LIFT
🙂
Katie
December 22, 2013 at 12:19 pmHeal. (That is all)
Liz
December 22, 2013 at 4:39 pmI have two words for next year: “Build rituals”.
Our daily actions determine our results, not our goals. A goal is a road map. Our rituals are the vehicle that take us we’re we need to go.
Annemarie O'Bea
December 22, 2013 at 5:23 pmMy three words are Health (improving it), Focus (staying focused) and Action
(doing much more of it).
Thanks for the post, it gave me alot to think about.
Jan Kearney
December 22, 2013 at 5:58 pmI thought I had already chosen a word for next year – “consistency” (because I lack it!) However, browsing the list, “courage” and “discipline” leapt out at me.
Have a fab Christmas and amazing New Year 🙂
Tamsin
December 24, 2013 at 8:55 amDiscipline will give you consistency, Jan 🙂
Faydra
December 22, 2013 at 8:04 pmMy word for 2014 is:
Freedom
Trish
December 23, 2013 at 10:50 amMy words are Health and Abundance (along the lines of “Simple Abundance,” not acquiring more stuff) 🙂
Samantha Angel
December 23, 2013 at 1:07 pmI’ve been pondering this for a couple days now. The ones that continue to speak to me are: Presence, Patience and Creativity.
Tamsin
December 24, 2013 at 8:56 amMy words have jumped out to me over a period of days – CLARITY, CONSISTENCY & COMPLETION – the 3C’s – and I can certainly see how they will work together for me 🙂
Love this exercise, thanks Nicole!
Kathy Hagle
December 25, 2013 at 3:03 pmI had started out with one word, but there was another that said pick me too. So here are my words, trust and courage.
Heidi
December 26, 2013 at 7:45 amThat was a very interesting approach at new years resolutions! I will give it a try, even though I’m not sure if I can fit everything I want to DO under one term that describes the ‘BE’ part.
Augustus
December 26, 2013 at 3:25 pmSeriously, New year resolution does not work for me, I break my vows before the third month.
Shelley Hitz
December 26, 2013 at 6:33 pmI’ve been thinking about a theme for 2014 and I think the theme is “Press On.” This means many things to me personally and for my business. 🙂
Ruthie Spoonemore
December 26, 2013 at 7:18 pmFocus, confidence and discipline <3
Vicki
December 26, 2013 at 7:40 pmMy words changed while reading:)
Abundance – Action – Discipline
p.s. thanks for the graphics and the luv:)
Kristin
December 26, 2013 at 9:07 pm2014 is going to be all about Confidence and Growth – Both personally and professionally 🙂
Carole
December 27, 2013 at 6:36 amMy word for this year Freedom – which will come only through Mastery
Susan Osborne
December 28, 2013 at 12:01 pmIt’s wild – I was just thinking about a “theme” for next year as opposed to resolutions, when I saw this post! My three words are:
Freedom (picked before I read the post), Abundance and Confidence
I find this to be SO much better than resolutions! Thank you for sharing.
LuAnn Braley
December 28, 2013 at 3:30 pm“Order” chose me. :O) Happy New Year!
Val
December 29, 2013 at 3:27 amBecause I live in honesty, my word is laziness. I’ve started the blog post about it. I like this one word idea. I hope that come June I will add more or even totally change my word. But for now, keeping this word in my brain will be a good thing.
Sarah
December 29, 2013 at 2:13 pmMy mantra for 2014: Freedom.
Kelly
December 30, 2013 at 3:32 pmHello
I tried to pick just one word, but three kept calling to me so my words for this year are focus, discipline, and wealth. I believe they are the words I needed due to the place in my life that I am at the moment. Good luck to everyone with their words and blessed be in 2014. KJD
Tishia Lee
January 1, 2014 at 4:52 pm3 words jumped out at me immediately so those are going to be my 3 words for 2014: change, confidence and self-love!
Lynda
January 2, 2014 at 12:31 pmI’m going with Action and Discipline! I need to take action to get where I want to be in life, but I need to have the discipline to wait for the right moves.
Martin
January 3, 2014 at 6:45 am“Love” is the word I always try to focus on. I just need one word 😉
If I love the people around me, myself and what I do for a living, I create a wonderful live for myself.
Theda Erickson
January 5, 2014 at 10:18 amFocus is my word for 2014
Nuts Online
January 8, 2014 at 12:42 amI go with Love, Fun, Affection. These three words i choose
Paul Taubman
January 9, 2014 at 12:08 pm“Release.”
Then, “Fun” will follow.
Tony Khuon
January 21, 2014 at 12:39 pmMy word this year will be EXECUTE … not in the killing something sense but in the taking massive action sense 🙂