As we enter 2012, many of us engage in individual (and collective) plans for continued growth and ongoing improvement. This ritual of writing New Year’s resolutions – from my experience – can quickly turn into depressing, heavy albatrosses hanging around our necks by the second week…or even the second day of the new year!! There have been years where I will have 10-12 “resolutions” or goals very specifically listed, only to have missed the “all or nothing” mark of at least one of these by January 15th – if I am lucky! It can often go downhill from there!
While driving back from Arkansas this year, there was a wonderful suggestion on NPR which I want to offer as another approach for 2012. What if we simply chose one word which will become our focus area for 2012.
For example, instead of declaring we will lose the ever-abating 10 lbs or 5% body fat; what if we simply stated we want to become more healthy? Then, everything we think, say and do in 2012 is all about becoming more healthy: exercising, less fast food, vitamins, less toxins in our diet, etc. What if we chose the word open? This could mean living life with an open heart, being open to new ideas, being open to change, being open to acquisition, being open to a new position or relationship. What if we chose the word disciplined – which could mean frugal with our money, habitual about our workouts, or thoughtful to our obligations. You get the drift.
So, this year, instead of putting ourselves in a tactical gridlock of to-dos this year, perhaps we can put a theme around our overall goals for growth. I, for one, am going to give it a try – and this one word will become my “mantra word” for 2012.
Kristin–
I LOVE this idea. One word may be simplify! I feel like my life gets so cluttered with multi-tasking, too many projects, too many papers and not enough time to enjoy just “being” with friends, family…..you know the simple things that make all the difference.
Happy New Year, and may 2012 be your best ever. Thank you for the positive start with this great idea.
Ellen
Tis is a wonderful way to simplify for the New Year- thanks !!!
Kristin- what a great way to frame the new year. I am adopting the “mantra word” for 2012. Like so many things in life, a simple path is usually the best path to take to real success. Thanks!
Kristin,
As always, well said with articulation and clarity!
Best Regards.
Thanks Kristin for this energizing practice. I have been putting that word in a sentence for the past few years, e.g.
How would it feel like to be more healthy?
How would it feel like to navigate an ocean of peace?
How would it feel like…
You get the drift…
I sense that the question vibrates with my inner guide.
Kindly,
Nadine
Thank you for that! Love the one word – I believe mine will be “healthy”. Hope this new year is full of blessings for you!
I love it, Kristin. I’ve already sort of done that. My one word is Freedom. And that within itself has a lot of meaning for me. I typically am very tactical and beat myself up when I don’t accomplish a desired goal. So this year it all revolves around the one theme. Happy New Year and I look forward to more of your posts.
Kristin,
Such a wonderful idea! My chosen word….”Blessings”! Often serious health issues, and other problems of life, can cause us to overlook how many, many blessings we have received, compared to the tribulations of life. I am blessed in numerous ways, and plan to focus on that, giving thanks each and every day! Thank you, for in your own way you reminded me of just how fortunate I am!
Kristin! Happy New Year, I just had to let you know that I also had already identified a word, I got the idea from church, mine is Content- the idea being you will always have more or less than you want, and the goal is to be content regardless (i.e., NOT I will be content when..fill in the blank)
[…] making and breaking new year’s resolutions. I’ve seen thoughtful encouragement to adopt a one-word resolution to serve as a focus area, cartoons about resolutions being a to do list for the first week of […]
Kristin,
Thank you for starting the New Year off on such a positive note. It is much more useful to cut out the noise and focus on one thing. So much more will flow from there.
Many thanks!
One word simplifies the effort to live the intention. My word for 2012 is Savor.
Thanks for discussion.
Greetings, Kristin! I often revisit some of your articles, thus the somewhat late response to your New Year’s post (which I did read at the 1st of January). On this more leisurely, rainy day when I am working from home, I was prompted to reply. I LOVE words and so was immediately captivated by your one word resolution suggestion. Ah, but how to pick just one perfect word to capture what I want to focus on this year. So many good suggestions from others:healthy, blessings, content, freedom, etc. But it was “savor” from another reader that nailed it for me. So that is my focus: be it moments with people, food, conversation, nature, my own quiet time, etc.: slow down & really be in that moment – savor it! Thanks so much for prompting this particular reflection in me!
[…] we can make 2013 the ‘best year ever’. A few years ago, I wrote a piece about “one word resolutions” – which I still believe is one of the most succinct and powerful ways to produce […]
[…] believe it? Are you ready for another year? Is it going to be a great year or is it going to be JUST ANOTHER YEAR! Everyone has their set of resolutions. Some are repeated year after year and some have an arsenal that they rotate throughout the years. And some, have none at all. What is a resolution anyway? According to Wikipedia, a New Year’s resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year’s resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year’s resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous. Well if that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will. Sounds like a lot of words that have absolutely nothing to do with what you really want to accomplish. I read an article from a friend that had an interesting spin on resolutions for the year. Check it out and let me know what you think. It might be replacing the SMART goals we have all talked about for years. Maybe it won’t be just another year! http://www.alignmentinc.com/blog/2012/01/one-word-resolutions/ […]
[…] believe it? Are you ready for another year? Is it going to be a great year or is it going to be JUST ANOTHER YEAR! Everyone has their set of resolutions. Some are repeated year after year and some have an arsenal that they rotate throughout the years. And some, have none at all. What is a resolution anyway? According to Wikipedia, a New Year’s resolution is a commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit. A key element to a New Year’s resolution that sets it apart from other resolutions is that it is made in anticipation of the New Year and new beginnings. People committing themselves to a New Year’s resolution generally plan to do so for the whole following year. This lifestyle change is generally interpreted as advantageous. Well if that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will. Sounds like a lot of words that have absolutely nothing to do with what you really want to accomplish. I read an article from a friend that had an interesting spin on resolutions for the year. Check it out and let me know what you think. It might be replacing the SMART goals we have all talked about for years. Maybe it won’t be just another year! http://www.alignmentinc.com/blog/2012/01/one-word-resolutions/ […]