Goals, Resolutions, Intentions and Mantras
(all with capital letters)
are many of the ways most people begin their New Year. I’m no different.
I’ve done a “start the year” list in 2013, 2014 and 2015 complete with check-in’s and wrap-up’s to measure my progress or success in keeping with the things I set out to do.
This year, I decided to go a different way.
I picked a word to guide my 2016.
Originally my word was going to be:
Focus
but it sounded too harsh. I could almost visualize someone poking me with a stern pointer finger yelling at me and then the words of the Kung Fu Master, Shifu, from Kung Fu Panda came to mind and then I heard the words, “FOCUS! FOCUS! You stink!” and that word got tossed aside. Some people like the bootcamp scream approach as a method of motivation but that’s not really my style.
Inspire
was a little too ethereal and lacked boundaries. The list of personal and professional things that have been bubbling up in my brain were not going to come to fruition with the typical office poster caption. I knew that my word had to be something attached to being aware but yet implied purpose.
When the word I finally chose came to me, I’ll be honest and share that I thought like it sounded like a little too much Yoga Teacher Training philosophy had taken over my practical nature. However, when I let the word roll around a little bit, it felt right:
OK, so “mindful” may be a little yoga influenced but being mindful allows for a connection to be made (and kept!) to the heart and mind while formulating an idea and determining tasks required to make a vision of the soul a reality.
It feels a little weird not having a list or a written plan. However, I made a plan last year and about 90% of that plan was not achieved. I could (continue to) sit and whine about my disappointment in myself or just pick up and move on. It’s a New Year. I’m moving on.
Change comes. We can either embrace it or we can let it kick the crap out of us.
I’m ready to mindfully hug the f#$% out of 2016!
This year things are going to be different. Let’s hope the results are different too.
****
Do you have a word for 2016?
A 2016 list of goals/resolutions/intentions or even a mantra?
What’s your guiding method for 2016?
I like this idea.
FOCUS is my word as well- as in, on my writing, blogging, Duran Duran worship, etc.
I like this idea a lot! 🙂
I love the word mindful…. I guess if I have to pick a word for 2016, it will be free.
Thanks so much for explaining your process. I’ve always had a hard time coming up with a word.
Ohhh – and sidenote, one of my 2016 goals is to plan an LA trip, so I’ll be reaching out to you in the spring time.
Love your word, Mindful is a wonderful way to enter 2016. I chose the word CREATE and plan to create space, memories, art, stories, relationships, etc. I am torn if I want to focus on one area a month throughout the year (i.e. create space in January by decluttering my house) or just be more fluid with creating throughout the year.
I want that on a t-shirt. It is beyond brilliant. And I know you will get it done, too!
I like the word “free”, Paria. I’d like to think we are all “free” but I also believe that many of us are actually prisoners of our own thoughts.
Create sounds like a perfect word for you, Stephanie. Creation can sometimes being intimidating but I think you are more creative than many of the people I know. I say you might want to create space for yourself to make this decision about “create” for the month or the year. I am curious to see what you decide though!
Thank you, my friend! xoxo
Thank you for letting me know that sharing the process was helpful. It certainly wasn’t a very linear process. I actually planned on making a list but instead a word just kind of spoke to me this year.
I look forward to seeing you in LA so definitely lmk when you finalize plans!
Thanks! I hope your focus manifests fabulosity, Georgette!
I use mindful a lot in my fitness life for me but a great word for the year! YUP, move on! My 2015 was not the best – years before harsh as well. I am counting on 2016m to pull it out! 🙂
Let’s both make 2016 the year we kick some ass, Jody!
Did you create the acronym GRIM on purpose? LOL.
My word, which I never do/create/follow, for 2016 is Commit.
Commit 100%. No half-assing anything. Do it or dump it. Go big or go home. You know the drill. Now that Toddler Spawn is older, I am less manic about leaving her for longer periods of time. This gives me a little more time/freedom to really commit to not only my work, but other side opportunities.
I didn’t even notice the GRIM acronym but I LOVE IT!!!! I may use that to promote the post throughout the week.
Looks like we both are trying something new in 2016. I like commit and no half-assery. I’m pretty mindful of the fact that I often do a lot of things with only half of my ass so that word absolutely wouldn’t work for me now. Maybe one day though!
As the littles get bigger, it’s amazing how much freedom we reclaim as parents (although there really is always a small tether).
I’m laughing at the reference to master shifu because I can totally see it! Of course, I would love that kind of training but…I also love “mindful.” It’s a great word and way of thinking. Doing things with intention and being more mindful will definitely make this a different year for you my friend. Looking forward to it and perhaps a visit to my side of the country 🙂 xoxo
Let’s hope that some “mindfulness” will translate into “productivity” as well.
Working on that East Coast trip so I’ll lyk.
xo
This!!!!!
Love the focus world for 2016! Looking forward to meeting a fellow desert blogger!
Thanks Doll! Wishing you a wonderful 2016 as well!
See you in July and before that on the interwebs 😉
Hi Melissa, My word for 2016 is contentment. Living mindfully has made me less reactive in emotional situations…..I still react badly at times but at least i pause! lol Thanks for sharing!
I love your word, Kylie. Contentment is a word that means being fulfilled and that is something we all should aspire to every day. Thank you for stopping by!