“Make the words such that they influence your choice of actions, encourage you to decide in favor of your goals, and guide you towards lasting results that you want to experience throughout the year.” ~ Chris Brogan
This time of year is often a time for reflection as well as for looking forward.
In looking back over the year, we assess how we measured up: Did we meet our goals? Did we knock them out of the park, or did we fall short somewhere? Perhaps a bit of both?
We also look ahead to the coming year and plan what we hope to accomplish.
Three Words
For the last six years, one way I’ve looked forward is to choose three words to guide me through the coming year. I started this after reading Chris Brogan’s blog. Since 2006, Chris has encouraged people to choose three words to frame their goals and intentions for the year.
In 2019, my three words were: stewardship, pivot, community.
Stewardship is a significant word for me. It’s one of the two core values I identified in an exercise from Brene Brown’s Dare To Lead book. Stewardship reminds me to be careful and responsible in my engagement in my relationships–family as well as business.
I also wanted to pivot in how I show up and work with the people I care about in my life–clients, partners, friends, and family. To listen more and be more responsive to their needs and desires.
And community was a reminder to be more engaged and active in my geographic, professional, and personal communities.
These words guided me as I developed and offered new programs throughout the year.
Typically, my three words emerge fairly quickly. Sometimes, it’ll take a few days of mulling them over. This year I was really surprised. I began thinking about them at the beginning of this week, and they just bounced out within an hour.
Three Words of Years Past
Here are some of the words I’ve used in the past:
2014: Client Collaborator Content
2015: Launch Convene Trimtab
2016: Focus Connect Launch (again)
2017: Serve Engage Partner
2018: Listen Inspire Actualize
And for 2020…
The interesting issue about my three words for 2020 is that they provoke questions. At first, this was a bit unsettling. However, as I thought about it, the questions make sense as I use these words to engage with my professional clients, colleagues, and my family.
Vision — How is our vision of ourselves emerging for the next year? How will it impact our progress over the next decade? Can we lay the foundation in 2020 for a sustained vision of success?
Clarity — Are we clear about our strengths and our value? Can we convey clear stories of how they show up? Are we clear on our vision and how to achieve it?
Empower — Are we empowered to achieve our vision? Do we have the strength to do so? Do we possess the resources (time, money, skills) to achieve our vision? How do I empower the people in my life–clients, colleagues, and family members–to achieve their visions?
These words will frame the work I do in 2020 as I hone the tools and programs that help you achieve your goals for the year. Whether you’re a client or a collaborator, I look forward to continuing to do great work together. If you’re a friend, thanks for your support, it means a lot to me. I hope to continue to build on our relationship in 2020.
And You?
Can you see the value of using three words to frame your goals for 2020? If so, what three words can you come up with?
Let me know, I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re struggling with how to achieve your career goals lets chat about how I might be able to help. You can use this link to my calendar to schedule the best time to talk.
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