March is quickly coming to an end. We are three months into what feels like a new year. The idea that time speeds up as we age feels real. Now would be the time to assess our new year resolutions if we made them. I don't. I make goals, small and large as I go through life and work towards them. After all goals and dreams are great but, if you don't put any action towards them they just look good on paper.
About the time of the calendar flipping from 2017 to 2018 I was introduced to Chris Brogan and his concept of 3 words by one of mentors Cindy Donaldson of Red Barn Consulting. It resonated deeply with me. I've always picked a word as a theme for my life. Keeping that word in mind often makes decision making easier. Does what is presented to me make sense in light of my word, my theme, my goal?
Chris Brogan picks three words each year. He has a process which he defines in his blog post. He writes up a brief paragraph as to what those words mean to him. These three words become part of his daily decision making.
Now, you can start this at any point that makes sense for you - the new year, your birthday, your favorite season, you be you!
I've been doing a lot of head work and book work around my business and my life the last six months. Turning 50 last fall didn't bother me but, it made me take a pause and really focus on what I wanted to accomplish going forward.
My three words are....
Why - I am a life long learner and want to pass that knowledge on to others. Does my decision further my knowledge or help pass it on. (I had just finished reading Simon Sinek's book Start with Why which I highly recommend) Since then, I've been really digging into my why, what it is and how do live it.
Schedule - I keep up a pretty hectic pace - working as an accountant, running my dream business, running a household, being a wife, a mom, a friend, a human being. Schedule reminds me to review my day, week and month and see where I need to schedule down time, friend time, date time and also where I need to roll up my sleeves and get busy. This has been crucial for my sanity and well being.
Balance - It's not all work and it's not all play. I need both. This combined with schedule keeps me from tipping over the edge to far one way or the other.
What are your three words? I'd love to hear about them.