Since 2007 I’ve been picking One Little Word to set an intention through the year ahead. This concept was introduced to me back in my scrapbooking designer days by Ali Edwards. It’s something I felt drawn to and something I’ve done every year since. Sometimes the words I’ve chosen have been amazing. Others, not so much. I get it, New Year’s resolutions may not be something you do. However you may just find one little word something you embrace with open arms, and are more successful with.
The Online Workshop
Over the last 3 years I’ve taken part in the One Little Word online workshop hosted by Ali Edwards. The workshop has given me the push I needed to journal about my word. It’s also the prompt I need at the beginning of each month to bring the word back to the forefront of my attention. This year I’m doing it with two of my friends so that’s going to help keep me accountable. I also plan on mentioning this concept to my yoga students and personal training clients. Accountability is a big part of keep any resolution, or achieving goals. The workshop also has a forum and a private facebook group. So I shouldn’t be lacking in accountability and inspiration for 2017.
Saying goodbye to 2016’s word
So how did I do for 2016? I’m going to be perfectly honest and admit that as much as I loved the word “aloha”, it just dissapeared when I started to get really busy with work around April. Which is ironic considering one of my goals was to slow down. Life happens right? However “aloha” reappeared around the end of September as I started thinking towards the last quarter of the year. Which was also when I started hoping for another Hawaii vacation. A word sometimes reveals itself in different ways than you’d intended. Aloha was such a word.
For me the year starts and ends around my birthday (anyone else a December baby?) so I make my one little word something I hold onto for a year of my life. Which is also something you could do rather use the calendar year. As I said, “aloha” was a bit of a bust for me. As I found myself thinking of Aloha, and telling myself all the things I was going to change about my life. How I was going to slow down, embrace a life with less stuff, exhibit more compassion, and with less stress. I discovered at the end of the year that’s all it was. Words, thoughts, and dreams.
Discovering a word for 2017
2017 is going to be a little more intense as I shift from yoga teacher, to yoga teacher trainer. I’m also planning on attaining my next yoga certification (RYT 500). Plus we have a trip to Florida planned in January, and a trip to England in Summer. Throughout the year will be some house renovation projects. All in all, it’s going to be a busy year. It’s also a year that I plan on putting this website and building this brand on the top of my priority list and posting twice a week minimum. Plus being consistent with social media. So what word to choose?
Sometimes the word chooses you…
On vacation in November the word that came to mind was practice. I’d had two years of words that were a little “out the box” for me so I was eager to get back with something a little more in my comfort zone. My thought was to practice routines and habits to achieve my goals. I sat with it for a couple of weeks, and up until two weeks ago I was happy, it was going to be my word. Then I saw this video from Gary Vaynerchuk appear in my YouTube feed and it stopped me in my tracks:
[warning language, but if you’re here you probably know me and know I curse lol]
Each year when I pick a word I try to envision what the word holds for me in the upcoming year. For 2017 the idea of DO is simple. Think less, do more. Do more, own less. Do more of what makes me happy. Stop saying I’m GOING to do something, and just go DO it. I’ve already made a Pinterest board of quotes and inspiration for my year ahead. Here’s some specifics for 2017 of things I want to DO:
- Blog twice a week
- Do more yoga, meditation, fitness, self care
- Send a newsletter twice a month
- Be present in what I’m doing – no getting sidetracked!
- Post to instagram 6 days week
- Grow my blog income
- Do more interacting on Pinterest
- Reinvest income into the website
- Launch my ebooks
- Grow my online training
- Complete every month of the OLW workshop
- Journal my way through the year
- Write 500 words a day
- Finish this website revamp and redesign
- Do one photography outing a month
So here’s to my year of DOING things, sharing things, and reaching my goals.
Questions
Do you set New Year’s resolutions or yearly goals?
What word would you choose to set your intentions for 2017?
Anyone else part of Vayner Nation? Damn I love GV!
Cruelty-Free beauty and skin care subscription box
Silvia
Such a cool twist to a “resolution.” Aloha is a very fun word but “do” is just a awesome word! I hope you are able to stick through with your word of the year! DO have a Happy New Year’s! 🙂
Vaishnavi
Wow. Love the profound truth. Ideas are all around. Resolutions are way too many. Executing on them is the difference between success and failure. “Do” is the mantra!!
Kerri
This year, I will choose the word hope. I hope that I can make healthier choices and get back on a routine. I hope that peaceful things will happen in the world.
Happy New Year!
Di Hickman
Oh I love that last part!
Adaleta Avdic
I want 2017 to have a lot of success in it, and by that I mean blogging and social media success so I can continue on as a blogger into 2018. Therefore, I will continue to using success throughout the year. I’ve already started manifesting the positive vibes! xx
Di Hickman
I have similar goals for my year too. But I can’t get those unless I create blog posts. Got to DO that! 😉
Jennifer (JenuineMom)
Your goals sound excellent and totally attainable! Sounds like you have a busy year ahead of you. Happy New Year!
Di Hickman
Thanks Jennifer! You too!
Samantha Lee
I think it’s so neat that you choose a word for each year to set intention for that particular year. It definitely ensures that you keep moving forward instead of living the same way every year. Great post!
Di Hickman
Thanks. Yes it’s more about taking the goals internally rather than externally. Changing the way you think, and keeping yourself true to one guiding principle.
Kirsten
I love all of your goals! I think it is so helpful to write them out because it helps to have something to look at and keep you on track. My “words” for 2016 were “Be Present”. I tried to apply that throughout everything. Haven’t thought about 2017 yet, so I better get on it!
Di Hickman
Yes. I wish I’d blogged more about my words earlier on in this project. It’s been a fun ride learning about myself each year.
Cynthia @craftoflaughter
My word for 2017 is consistency! I also have a daily word count and hopefully the 365 days writing group will help keep me accountable! Good luck on reaching your goals!
Di Hickman
Consistency is a good one! I think we could all do with more of that!
Terri Steffes
I’m struggling with many of the same things. I loved how you made this something that shouldn’t consume you but simply get out there and do it. I haven’t chosen my word but I will before the weekend is over.
Di Hickman
I am definitely opening myself up for more adventure, fun, and opportunities.
karen
What a really simple yet powerful mindset. I love this one word idea and am curious about getting going with my own word. I appreciate all these resources to start me out!
Di Hickman
It’s an amazing project should you try it. It really helps you learn about yourself,
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place
Choosing one word to guide me through the year sounds like an awesome motivating idea! I am going to sit down with my husband and kids and see if we can pick a word that we can all find useful and something that will help motivate us for the upcoming year!
Di Hickman
Having a family word is a great idea!
Angela Tolsma
I love that you have a record of all the words you have chosen over the years. That’s awesome and motivating. Sometimes a word doesn’t work out and that’s okay. I love DO for 2017! What a great way to get motivated! Cheers to 2017 and the awesomeness it will bring!
Di Hickman
I wish I’d kept blogging about my word throughout the last 11 years because yes some have been great, some not so much but I learned from each one.
Angela
YES YES YES! I definitely set yearly goes around the new year. I write them down because I am such a visuals person and literally seeing them in front of me helps me accomplish them. My word for 2017 is CHANGE.
Di Hickman
Oh I had change, that was a GREAT year!
Kit Stanwood
Great goals!!! I’m trying to write more then one post per week as well and do more yoga! Love yoga so much heh I hope you have a wonderful new year. Love the idea of a word for the new year / per year
Di Hickman
I am also committing to more yoga and writing more blog posts! We should hold each other accountable!
Lindsey Paris
I would choose action. I have a lot I need to get done. Or perhaps reduce? I have a lot I need to say no to!
Di Hickman
Learning to say no is HUGE!