A new look.
A new attitude.
Thinking in Themes
Every year, I set a theme for myself, which guides me through the new year. It shapes how I live my life and make decisions. It helps me focus on my goals without being overwhelmed.Here are some samples of themes I've used in the past:
2008: Don't worry...be happy!
2009: Live Christ-like
2010: Just do it!
2011: Live. Love. Laugh.
2012: Think big. Think bold. Think beautiful.
A few days ago, my friend Amanda Socci introduced me to a fascinating community at OneWord365.com. Alece at OneWord365.com had a great idea to come up with One Word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. Here is how she describes it:
What do you want to focus on in 2013 ?
It can be something tangible or intangible. It can be a thought, a feeling, an action, or a character trait. Your word will be a reminder, a nudge. Something you can reflect on, that will challenge you, that will inspire you.
Your word can be anything you want it to be. All that matters is that it has personal meaning for you.
This is your word. It needs to resonate with your heart, no one else's.
- alece -
One Word
I was thrilled to read this because this was similar to my idea of themes. The challenge, however, was for me to tighten my theme to just one word! (And I thought cutting my picture books to 500 words and keeping my tweets to 140 characters was tough.)
I decided that my one word should challenge me to complete my goals. It should also remind myself to have fun in the process. My word needs to inspire me.
I anticipate 2013 to be challenging personally and professionally. So, I thought about the word ENJOY. It would remind myself to take it easy and have fun. But I didn't think it would challenge me at all. I thought about the word BREATHE, because it would calm and refresh me. But that almost seems like I am anticipating stress in my life.
Then I had an "AHA!" moment and discovered the perfect word that promotes productivity and fun.
My One Word is: CREATE
I anticipate 2013 to be challenging personally and professionally. So, I thought about the word ENJOY. It would remind myself to take it easy and have fun. But I didn't think it would challenge me at all. I thought about the word BREATHE, because it would calm and refresh me. But that almost seems like I am anticipating stress in my life.
Then I had an "AHA!" moment and discovered the perfect word that promotes productivity and fun.
My One Word is: CREATE
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| Created by Melanie of OnlyABreath |
Create stories
Create joy
Create memories
Create success
Create success
BTW: The badge was created by the generosity of Melanie of Only A Breath. She custom-made the badge to my personal theme and she can make one for you too if you request one from her.
Join me and pick your word that will shape you and your year. Let it help you grow.
Join me and pick your word that will shape you and your year. Let it help you grow.
"Discover the big impact one word can make" ~One Word 365What is your One Word? Visit Only A Breath to view what others have adopted as their one word.
I love it! My word is actually Breathe.... :)
ReplyDeleteBreathe...Ahhhhhh. It is refreshing!
DeleteI love your choice!
ReplyDeleteMy word for 2013 is "give"
:-)
I like give. Love its generous spirit!
DeleteGreat word! Mine is "Write"! :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good one. It is goal oriented.
ReplyDeleteRomelle:
ReplyDeleteI had no idea you were a children's book writer. What a lovely surprise! A double surprise becaue I see that you linked to my google+ profile. Thank you so much!
I love your word "create" and its many possibilities. I also love how you were inspired enough to get your own personalized website / blog badge created for such an event.
Just wanted to let you know that I had originally learned about the One Word 365 community from a gal by the name of Joy. She calls herself "Create with Joy," http://www.create-with-joy.com. Since you have chosen your word "create" for 2013, I think Joy's website / blog is definitely appropriate for you!
Joy is really big into book reviews right now. Perhaps you can ask her if she'd be willing to review your first children's picture book on her site?
Thanks for introducing me to Create with Joy. Lovely site. You have great connections. Love your new site at wordpress. Your word must be IDEAS. Love it!
DeleteHey Romelle, this is a great word. I wish I'd thought of it. As a matter of fact, I couldn't bring myself to get to only one word, so I gave up :-) Perhaps my word will be graduation. At least that's all I think of now. As well as Job-finding (I squeeze two in one for my purposes).
ReplyDeleteI wish you every success with Create 2013!
Thanks for stopping by, Mariya. Love your poetry! You are very talented. Love how "graduation" rolls off my tongue. Maybe your word could be SUCCESS or HOPE.
DeleteRomelle, this is indeed a very effective philosophy, using single word, especially a verb, to give wings to our goals and aspirations. The word you have chosen to define your goals, is indeed very constructive. Infact our entire world and universe exist because of this very important word i.e 'Create'.
ReplyDeleteAny thing we want from our life can either be demanded, an approach which seldom works because it is too passive, or can be created, the best and most dynamic approach. Even if we fail, we know that there is always another better way to go about it.
I have to borrow this word from you to reformulate my goals as it will make my aspirations and objective a lot more constructive and motivating.
Jeff Rivera
Bestselling Author
"UM ... MOMMY I THINK I FLUSHED MY BROTHER DOWN THE TOILET"
http://amzn.to/RUltKc
Thanks for stopping by, Jeff. Glad you like my word. The key word behind creative, as you mentioned, is Dynamic. Love that too.
DeleteLovely! I picked Own-Loose-Tough on Leslie Zempetti 's three words post. I'd have to pick "Loose" as the most important - letting my imagination loose. My imagination is growing up, but it's still having a hard time shaking off all the accountant khaki!
ReplyDeleteYou've always had a great imagination, Lauri. I am pretty sure your khakis are peeling off its last layers.
Delete