Tag Archives: new year

Word Of The Year 

by Uncategorized, ,

Back in 2013 I was challenged by a business coach to pick a word of the year.  A single word that would encompass my goals and guide me for the year ahead.  Each year since then I've continued to go through the process of picking a word.  

This year word that resonates the most with me is Clarity.

2024 Word of the Year: Clarity
ˈklarɪti

noun

  • the quality of being coherent and intelligible. 

  • the quality of being certain or definite. 

  • the quality of transparency or purity. 

  • the quality of being easy to see or hear; sharpness of image or sound. 

2023 was a very full year.  Who am I kidding?  The last few years have been over-full, challenging, and more than a little overwhelming for everyone. I think we all have been through a maelstrom, and are just now beginning to wake up from the chaos and confusion that started in 2020 with the advent of Covid. 

As I look back over the previous year, I am noticing a pattern. It's become apparent that I have narrowed my focus on certain things in my life, both personally and professionally.  I realize, in this narrowing down, that what I am doing is making the way clear for what is to come next. I am making room to be more focused and more present.  I’m also making room for opportunity and change to show up and be available in my life. By simplifying, by clarifying, I'm essentially unmuddying the waters of my life. 

So much of the work I do in sharing about ingredients, focusing on preparedness, and sharing holistic health and wellness information is already about helping others like you learn and see and notice what's impacting them and their lives.  It's about educating and equipping you to make informed choices. It's about making things clearer and more transparent. Plus, I believe the more you know the more you notice.  That has an echo of clarity to as well.  

Focusing on clarity and what lies ahead will, I think, help make life less stressful. It feels like clarity also brings the promise of abundance. I'm excited to see how clarity will show up for me in the year that lies ahead of us. 

As I learn to open up to the light of clarity in my own life, I'm also looking forward to sharing what I learn with those in my community and supporting them on their clearer and more defined wellness journey.  

I think it's going to be a beautiful year ahead. 

Previous Words

PS If you have celebrations that are joyful and warming to your heart, or books that resonate with this theme for you I'd like to hear about them. I'd also love to know if you've chosen a word for 2023 and what it is.  You can drop a comment in the online community.

 

One Word: Brave

by habits, holidays, ,

Have you ever picked a word to guide you for an entire year? Just one word. It's easy to create goals or to set intentions (I'm not a fan of “resolutions” you can read why here). Those, however, usually encompass more than just one word.  Condensing everything you want for the year ahead into just one word is never an easy task. 

For me it requires a lot of introspection.  Deeply searching for something that really resonates and helps me grow in some way. The first year I did this practice I discovered how amazing it was to have a word to guide you.  I check in regularly with my word and see how things are going. It can be very centering; it's a wonderful way to help you stay on track.

When I began to think about the word of the year this time, I was astonished to see how many words (and how many years) I have been doing this. Previous words have been:

That's a lot of words. As I look over the list I find myself smiling as I remember certain challenges in that year or how that particular word really resonated.

The search for meaning

This year the word found me although I didn't know it at the time. Back in November I was at my friend Doni Langlois' studio to pick up some ceramics. I saw the lovely heart-rattle (the picture at the top) and felt drawn to it so I purchased it as a gift for myself.

In the middle of December as I began my annual word-search process I kept coming back to this beautiful heart sitting near my desk. I thought I wanted a different word but this heart kept speaking to me. Eventually I realized that the reason I couldn't find a word was because this year it was sitting right in front of me. 

 

BRAVE

adjective, brav·er, brav·est.

possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

making a fine appearance.

noun

a brave person.

a warrior, especially among North American Indian tribes.

verb (used with object), braved, brav·ing.

to meet or face courageously

to defy; challenge; dare.

 

It turns out this word is multipurpose, being a verb, adjective, and a noun. As I think about it I realize that I am setting a big intention out there in the world by choosing this word.  I asking myself to:

  • be brave, to stand up to those things or situations that make me nervous or fearful
  • to dare to speak out with courage where necessary
  • to endure 

I know that although the way doesn't always seem so clear at the beginning of the year when I pick my word, as the year progresses the word always seems to resonate throughout all aspects of my life.

Join me

What's your word? What intentions are you setting as we move forth into this shiny, sparkly space of new year?  I'd love for you to join me by choosing your own word. If you want you can even join a word tribe over at OneWord365 and see who else has picked the same word.

What ever lies ahead, my wish for you is one of peace, happiness, and good health.  Be well.

goals not resolutions

Goals Not Resolutions

by habits, Uncategorized, ,

What's in a resolution

With the New Year fast approaching many people sit down to make up a list of resolutions. This year I will.....

  • Lose 20 pounds
  • Exercise every day
  • Eat right
  • Give up junk food
  • Insert your favorite resolution here

The problem with the concept of a resolution is that we go about it the wrong way. We write down the results we are looking for not how we plan to get there. We craft ultimatum statements and that ultimately sets us up for failure.

In order to be successful with your anticipated changes for the new year consider setting goals instead of creating resolutions. Goals are a desired outcome. They are not as finite as resolutions. If you do not live up to your resolution frequently you are left feeling discouraged and possibly have a loss of self-appreciation or self-confidence. You're also more likely to abandon it altogether (and perhaps any other resolutions that you formed at the same time).  With goals, however, the end result is planned for but not mandated. Along the way there may be reasons that you did not achieve your goal which you can examine and reconsider.  Or the goal may need to be modified along the way; because it's a goal there's room for that.

Creating goals

When creating goals there are a few things to consider. Because it's one of the most commonly chosen resolutions, we'll use an example of losing weight as a goal. Most people simply say that they will lose weight. They do not put qualifiers on the statement and do not think about how they will achieve their goal. Being prepared to think all the way through the goal helps to increase awareness and mindfulness and can increase your motivation and ultimate success.

  • What is your anticipated goal – to lose weight
  • Why do you want to achieve this goal – to look and feel better, so clothes fit better, to improve health
  • How much weight do you want to lose - is this goal realistic
  • How long do you think it will take you to achieve your goal – set realistic expectations for appropriate weight loss (you cannot lose 10 pounds in two weeks)
  • What are the steps required to achieve this goal – how will you have to change your nutritional plan and modify your eating patterns to achieve your goal
  • When do you plan to start the first step – choose a time that is workable, don't start the day after a huge holiday party when you are not focused
  • What do you need to do to start that first step – do you need a support person, a program, a goal buddy, or a written plan

Be realistic

Don't overwhelm yourself by setting too many goals at once. If you decide that in the next two weeks you are going to lose 20 pounds, start a new high-intensity exercise program, and give up your daily fast food run you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed.

When we try to do too much without planning and awareness we can be setting ourselves up for failure. On the other hand, reasonable expectations and a well-thought out plan can be the cornerstone to your success.  

And don't discount the need for a deeper level of support.  A friend or family member who can serve as an accountability buddy, or working with a coach who can nurture you and design a program that works for you.

Above all remember to be kind to yourself. A goal is a hoped for achievement. If you do not master your goal it is not because you have failed. It simply means that you were not able to get to where you thought you might. This gives you an opportunity to re-evaluate your goal and see if it needs to be adjusted or modified.

Most importantly, when working toward a goal remember to stop occasionally, look back at how far you've come. Perhaps you've lost less weight than you had hoped for but you've made significantly healthier food choices. Maybe you haven't been able to get to the gym every day like you had hoped, but when you do go you are feeling stronger and have more endurance. These are accomplishments to be proud of. Pat yourself on the back, review your plan and keep working towards your goal.

Auld Lang Syne

by gratitude, holidays, seasons, stress,

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne? - Robert Burns

 

Auld lang syne, times gone by.  As the New Year fast approaches many of us think back on the year that has been and, of course, eagerly await the year to be.

For some reason, the celebration of New Year's is tied to an expectation of promises for the year ahead.  I will....lose weight, start to exercise, get more organized, anything that we think needs to be fixed.
 
The problem, as I see it, is that many people try to do this in an absolute fashion. It's all or nothing for the diet, the gym, the insert-your-choice-here. My trainer at the gym laughingly tells me that although the gym is starting to get very crowded these days I should be patient because in another 30 days it will empty out again.
 
People will start the New Year with good intentions and lots of motivation. But it is hard work and, if they've done no mental preparation other than making a vague promise to themselves, overwhelming.  It doesn't last long.
 
When I work with clients I encourage them to not work in absolutes.  If you slowly and mindfully make changes, just one or two at a time, they are more likely to stick. 
 
As an example, I have one client who is trying to break a fast food habit.  Instead of never ever ever going to a fast-food restaurant again, we started by having her give up the soda (that was her choice).  Then we began to cut down on the number of times she went out for fast food.  Next, it was to downsize the meal (get a Jr. burger and a small fries).  Eventually, it will not even be a temptation.
 
In the past, because she would say, "that's it, I'm never eating fast food again" she would not have much success and usually within 30 days found herself standing in line to order and feeling really bad about it. Feeling bad about it may be modestly motivating in the short term, but I believe it just helps build up that "I don't care" callus and gets in the way of making positive changes.
 
I don't make grand sweeping resolutions anymore.  I personally see no need to tie all my motivations and changes to one day. Instead, I try to live mindfully; to make thoughtful, achievable choices.  Don't make a huge, possibly overwhelming, promise to yourself later tonight. Consider a modest goal that, when you reach it, will make you feel good about yourself and encourage you to keep going.  
 
Some suggestions might be:
 
  • Adding a gratitude practice to your day - writing down five things a day that you are grateful for
  • Choosing to leave five minutes early for appointments to reduce stress
  • Planning to turn off or not answer the phone the first 15 minutes after you arrive home from work to give yourself some decompression time
  • Deciding that at least one day a week you will set a beautiful table for yourself and your family to eat dinner at
  • Choosing to eat one more piece of fruit or vegetable a day than you normally do
  • Drinking one (or one more) glass of water every day if you, like most people, don't drink enough
Think about what you want to achieve, why you want to accomplish that goal, and a small step as part of the process to get you there.  With this kind of mental preparation and reasonable expectations, you will achieve your goals.
 
Have a happy, healthy New Year, and be well.