For the past several years, I’ve been choosing a word to help me move into the New Year. This year, I decided not to. I didn’t feel like it did much for me in the past couple of years (though earlier words, like Brave in 2016 and Accept in 2015, helped me a lot). But then something funny happened: I didn’t choose a word, but a word chose me. (Sort of like “The wand chooses the wizard.”)
I’ve been repeating it in my head like a mantra, and that’s exactly how previously successful words like “Brave” and “Accept” pushed me to make better daily choices and keep my life on track. This word has been a part of every major decision I’ve made in the past few weeks. So I finally decided to just declare it my word, because it deserves the honor.
My 2019 Word of the Year is: FOCUS.
Why Focus?
I’ve been doing too much; I’ve been spreading my energy thin. It’s a heavy casualty of being interested and passionate about many things, and having creative ideas for how to improve my work on all of them. A recent epiphany taught me that I shouldn’t chase a great idea just because it happens into my head. No matter how good the idea is, if it doesn’t address an important issue or current goal, I shouldn’t spend time on it. I have to be able to let those ideas go (or file them for “later”) and focus on my true priorities.
How To Focus
My new planner (the all-mighty AGENDIO– or at least that’s how I think of it) has been helping a lot. I was able to customize it completely for my needs, and one of the categories I put on the top of each page is “Priorities.” It pushes me to think through my top 3-4 priorities for each day and focus on them. Also helpful? Planning just one day at a time. I make quarterly and monthly goals, but in terms of execution, I’m taking it day-to-day. That gives me the opportunity to asses urgent vs. important tasks (not always the same thing) and factor in my energy replenishment needs as the week goes by.
As I mentioned earlier, I’m also using FOCUS as my mantra. When I start to feel too scattered, I take a few cleansing breaths and remind myself what’s really important in that moment. If there’s something on my mind that might be important later, I write it down, then let it go. I’m trying to focus on what’s in front of me and what comes immediately afterward, instead of letting all my daily tasks, goals and needs swim in my head together. This practice has greatly decreased my anxiety level and increased my productivity.
Have you chosen a word for 2019? What is it?
(Special thanks to my friend Sara Letourneau for re-inspiring me to commit to my yearly word!)
This post made me wish we lived near each other so we could meet for coffee and chat about goals and words of the year and life! (And I’d love to get an in-person look at your planner–I have yet to find one that is perfect for me). I so identify with the “spreading my energy thin” part of this post. I’ve come to the same conclusion. As my freelance work ramps up and I contemplate my big writing goal to write a book, I have less and less time for the other pursuits I love (my horse, reading, sketching primarily). I’m going to continue to work on simplifying and streamlining just to keep up!
Rise did wind up being my WOTY, and I did some journaling about it yesterday. I discovered the main thing I was looking for in choosing it (or it choosing me, which is more accurate) was a feeling of lightness, of leaving behind all that has been dragging me down. This is not what I was expecting, so I’m looking forward with curiosity to what this year holds.
I’m also looking forward to seeing how your WOTY helps you this year–it seems like an excellent fit, and that it’s already helping!
Hi Kathy, it would be fun to brainstorm with you about our life goals and plans! Florida and New York are a bit too far apart, but I’m always up for a Skype session!
Check out the Agendio website– they have beautiful pictures and you’d be astonished how much they can be customized. I spent a happy hour making sure it was everything I needed. I now think that hour might have been one of the best investments I made for 2019.
Rise is a great word. It’s always good to figure out how deep you can take it, and it’s great that you surprised yourself. I think Focus is going to work better than any of my past words because it seemed to come from inside rather than any conscious choice.
I love your word! (Thanks for linking to my post, btw!) And I’m glad you’ve found it’s an appropriate word for your writing and your life in general, and that you’re already taking steps to make the magic happen. Looking forward to seeing how FOCUS helps shape your 2019!
Btw, sorry it’s taken me so long to get to this. It’s been a very busy past few weeks.