Well, 2015 has come and gone. It’s been a big year – in a nutshell there was Quiltcon, Juki and some teaching. I didn’t reach all my goals that I set out to do last year, but I did learn a thing or two along the way. In particular, I need to run my own race and stop worrying what other people are doing and worry about what works for me. So for next year, I will take this on board and concentrate on building the blog, releasing more of my own patterns (which I hope you will love!) and more tutorials and tricks for you.
Instead of making many goals, I’m choosing one word for this year. My friend Amy from Badskirt has done a word for the year for the last few years – and I think it’s a marvellous idea. It’s kind of like an anti-New Years Resolution. Although I will still have my business goals, they will tie back to my one word for the year.
For 2016, my one word is going to be consolidate.
Consolidate
verb
- make (something) physically stronger or more solid
- combine (a number of things) into a single more effective or coherent whole.
I’ve chosen this word for both its meanings. First I need to strengthen myself, physically and emotionally. I’ve been talking about running my own race for a long time now and to do this, I need to become more strong in my foundations. And, I need to strengthen my body so It will carry me into the second half of my life and beyond.
Second, as a time poor mum, who works full time and runs my own business, I need to work smarter, not harder. This means consolidating and streamlining. Expect to see my blog change over the next months as I move everything into one place as an example.
Choosing a word for the year
Here’s the idea. Instead of resolving to reach a goal or change a behaviour, you pick one word (or two like Pantone did) that will focus you for the next year. The word will be very different for everyone but it will hold a special, personal meaning that resonates just for you. When you
Take some time to decide your word, and figure out what YOU need to focus on the year. Rather than ‘loose weight’ or ‘save money’, choose something that goes beyond this. What kind of person do you want to be? Is there a change you want to make at the core of who you are? Maybe there is a quality in a friend which you could like to improve on for yourself. Resist the temptation to pick twenty things, and drill down on that one word.
It doesn’t need to be a word of action, just one that works for you.
Word for the year suggestions
- Consistency
- Discipline
- Fierce
- Focus
- Genuine
- Generosity
- Health
- Learn
- Mature
- Optimism
- Patience
Focus. Mainly on getting through my quilting UFOs, whether by finishing them, quilting them, donating them, or getting rid of them at our guild’s garage sale. It also includes my everyday activities, to finish what I’m doing at the moment, instead of doing ten things at one time, and not accomplishing anything. Thanks for bringing up this subject, I really needed to focus!
I love focus. Be in the moment and focus on that. Best of luck with your focus for the year.
My word is “Declutter”…i do not mean just possessions, but also my life! need to figure out what is most important and focus there. I tend to have too many things going on at the same time and as a result always running around in circles. I follow the Minimalists who have some great ideas as well as David at Raptitude….and I hope to finally actually read and put into practice Getting Things Done by David Allen! Wish me luck!
Why do we accumulate so much stuff anyway? Decluttering is really cathartic, once I start, I can’t stop!
Dear Crystal,
My word for 2016 is POSITIVE. I want to find the good or saner part of life. I turn 65 years young this year and want less things and more moments. More positive moments with family , friends, and the world.
Love and Support to you and yours,
Amber
POSITIVE is great. I love how you can really apply this to many facets of your life too.
This is a great word. It really hit home with me when you said you need to run your own race because that is something that I need to concentrate on too. I sometimes get caught-up in comparing myself/my work to others.
It’s really dangerous! I often think – I need to x, y and z to be successful, but really, it’s not true. They might be far too time intensive for the outcome or expensive for the return, so why exhaust myself getting them done when they are a bad decision? Work smarter, not harder I always say 🙂
My word for the year is Intentional – applies to all of the goals that I have for myself for this year (financial, etc) and all I’m dealing with at work, and esp.deals with my quilt business (block and quilt designing, commissioned work) and how I’d like to grow it.
Thanks for sharing your word. I am trying to discern my word. Great idea.