12/29/2023
New Year's Resolutions have always been a source of stress and overwhelm for me. They are always created with the best intentions, but for me it seemed that my failure to make progress, even after a month or two left me feeling more defeated than empowered.
Several years ago, some friends of mine (Dan Britton, Jimmy Page and Jon Gordon) wrote a book called "One Word That Will Change Your Life". This book has forever altered the way I approach personal change for my upcoming year. The premise is to choose a word that will become a focus and guide (not a measuring stick) towards the ways that I want to grow as a person. And, I've been consistently amazed how much keeping a word in front of me for an entire has really challenged me and helped me to grow.
I've been engaging this annual practice since 2017 (8 years ago), with my first word "Intentional." And each year, I pick a new word to focus on. Typically, I start thinking and praying about what my new word will be in November. I consider and ponder areas where I feel I need to grow.
After several choices, I've picked a new word for 2024. SIMPLE. It's been a word I've heard in my heart and mind recently that has really resonated.
Why Simple?... Well, good question... I picked simple, because simple is the opposite of complex. Not unlike the K.I.S.S. principle, I tend to over-complicate things. LOL. My analytical brain also tends to overthink and complicate things beyond what is necessary. I'm also an idea guy. Ideas are great, but they can also be distract me, pull my focus and keep me from where I need to be.
So, with the word, simple, I'm excited to to see how this little word will be used in my life in the upcoming year. I'm not striving for perfection, just improvement. I want to end 2024 better than I started.
To help me apply my word each year, I use a principle I learned from another one of my favorite books... "Oola: Find Balance", a book that helps us to focus on 7 key areas of life.
The 7 areas are:
Fitness
Finance
Family
Field
Faith
Friends
Fun
So, each year, I try to apply my word to each of these areas because each of these areas are important to me and I want to see each area improve. Here is an example of how the word can be applied.
Fitness - how will "simple" impact the way I take care of my body and mind?
Finance - how will "simple" affect my financial stewardship?
Family - how will being "simple" affect my relationships with my family?
Field (work) - how will I apply "simple" to my job/vocation/work relationships?
Faith - how will I integrate "simple" into my faith?
Friends - how will I let "simple" impact friend relationships?
Fun - how will "simple" be expressed in how I enjoy life?
Unlike New Year's Resolutions, I can't fail (unless I quit). Each day, the counters are reset to zero and I have a fresh, new opportunity to see how I can apply my word to these 7 key areas of my life. New Years just gives me (and us) a great opportunity to jump in and start something beneficial.
So, I encourage you. If resolutions work for you, GREAT! But, if you've struggled with them, I would invite you to take some time and consider a word that you could adopt for a year.
If you have a word for 2024, let me know what it is. Here is a list of words that I have picked over the years. If you see one you like, use it. I don't own any of them! :)
2024 - Simple
2023 - Rhythm
2022 - Connect
2021 - Better
2020 - Refine
2019 - Courage
2018 - Focus
2017 - Intentional
And, in case you're looking for some good reading in 2024, here are the two amazing books I mentioned.
One Word That Will Change Your Life - https://amzn.to/3H23e0W
Oola: Find Balance - https://amzn.to/3TIRHeC
I'm cheering you on! :)
