Setting Goals Can BE Fun and Effective!

It’s that time of year again! Reflection without judgment upon the past year. AND choosing one word for the new year to create my “Divine Intention”. I have already chosen my 2019 word, and will share it with you the last week of December.

Why choose “one” word?

Most people create a long list of resolutions and never stick with it. Within a few months their list is forgotten. However, choosing one word and incorporating it into our every day life in ALL areas of our life over a full year, works incredibly well for many. I honestly cannot remember where I heard about this personal challenge (likely a book from the mid 90s), but I’ve done it every year for quite some time.

Remember the mantra, “How you do anything is how you do everything.” This is a quote from one of my leadership mentors, the late Brian Klemmer. And the word I’ve chosen over the years has interestingly played a significant role in many areas of my life: mind, body, spirit, emotion, relationships, family, friends, finances, community, pleasure, etc.

Here’s an example of a ‘one word’ intention

My word in 2011 was ‘move’. Here is what this meant to me and how it covered many areas in my life at the time: Move my body, move my mind, move forward on personal goals, move into and beyond my dreams, move out things not working, move relationships closer, move projects to completion, move closer to God/source, and move to a warmer climate.

I highly recommend this personal/spiritual development exercise. You’ll be amazed at how your life will change over a year.

This year as every year prior, I take the week before Thanksgiving to reflect upon the last year. What went well? Where can I make improvements? What do I really want to show up in my life during the next year? What are the action steps that I have to take to make that happen? What do I have to move into my life? What do I have to move out? What are my priorities and WHY are these things important to me? Finally, what one word would describe all of these action steps and desires? If I had to describe it in one word, what would it BE?

What I do if I’m stumped…

If I’m stumped, I narrow down the words I’ve come up with to five words and then write them on a sticky note. I place the sticky note on my computer screen. As the weeks go by, I cross off the ones that no longer apply. When I’m stumped, it *always* happens that by the end of December, that one word feels exactly right, because it moves my heart in a very good and authentic way.

This year though I felt my heart move within a few days. I’ve got my word! It feels right!

If you really take your time and outline a plan with action steps, you’ll get your word too, and it will stay with you the entire year.

Here are some ideas!

To help cultivate your own ideas, here are my words over the years. BE sure that your word has meaning for YOU. #BEYOU … The more meaning your word has to you, the stronger your desire will be to move into your Divine Intention in multiple areas of your life.

2020 RHINO
2019 clarity
2018 streamline
2017 blossom
2016 natural
2015 delight
2014 relationships
2013 focus
2012 authenticity
2011 move
2010 compassion
2009 experiential
2008 explore
2007 health
2006 grow
2005 grounded
2004 speed
2003 learn
2002 responsible
2001 build
2000 entrepreneurship
1999 courage
1998 thankful
1997 trust
1996 present