I didn’t set new years resolutions this year. I generally don’t. Usually, however, I use the first day of the year to set goals for the following 12 months. It’s taken me until the 8th day of the month this year to get some clarity about what I want my year to look like. You see, this year I wanted to do a little reality checking and introspection before setting goals in order to not robotically list goals that I think I SHOULD be achieving or setting goals that I think I SHOULD have. I have also been a little whiney about moving into a new year. After a two week break, however, I feel refreshed and ready to make plans. I wrote a post yesterday about the process of coming back to the reality of my office and the tough questions I’ve been asking myself.
The words that shaped 2012
In early 2012 (following an annual ritual that author and marketer Chris Brogan introduced me to) I wrote a post about the three words that would shape my 2012. The words were discipline, courage and commitment. Those words saw me meet personal health and fitness goals, kick business goals with the team and stay focused. The words proved pretty true to the themes of my year. So, this year I’m taking Chris Brogan’s advice again and choosing three words that I want to have influence my 2013 actions.
The three words that will shape my 2013 goals
The premise of Chris Brogan’s process is this:
Think of three words that sum up what you want to work actionably on changing/improving in the coming year.
Here are mine.
1. Serendipity
I’m reading a book titled “Get Lucky” and this has inspired serendipity to be one of my chosen words. The book is about how preparedness, motion, activation, attraction, connection, commitment and divergence can all help to orchestrate serendipity. I’m up for lots of it this year.
2. Alignment
By alignment I mean that what I love to do, where my skills lay or can be developed AND what I’m passionate about are all in a metaphorical straight line and in correct relative positions. My actions, thoughts and emotions all work in peaceful harmony.
3. Art
I’m also reading The Icarus Deception by the wonderful Seth Godin (who will actually be our guest in February). The subtitle of the book is ‘How High Will You Fly?’. For me, this concept isn’t about having bigger goals than the next person, or topping the goals I set last year. Seth tells us that “making art” is about seizing new growth, making connections and working without a map. Seth challenges readers to find the courage to treat their work as a form of art. For me this means taking what I know I’m good at and sharing it with more people. A little scary, but hey. I’m ready to own my artistry. I invite you to read Chris Brogan’s post about choosing three words if you feel like having a narrow focus could work for you. And, if you’d like to share those three words, I’d love to hear them. With my warmest wishes, Suzi
