Pick One Word to Focus Your Efforts (Part 3 of Intention Series)

If you are following along, you read about my dislike of resolutions and my plan to create my Intentions. Yesterday, we wrote out our intentions.

1. Write out your intentions
2.  Pick one word to summarize your intentions
3.  Create a visual of your word and intentions
4.  Create your plan of action

Today, we will create that one little word that summarizes our intentions and will keep us focused. In Ali Edward’s post, she explains the power of one little word,

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.

For me, having one word keeps me focused. I plaster that one word everywhere. I write it each day on a piece of paper and keep it near my desk. I use it in my calendar daily. I create scrapbook pages about it. I repeat it to myself often.

When I’m faced with a decision, I’ll stop and think about my one word. Which of my choices brings me closer to my word? That is the choice I go with because it will be in sync with my intentions and my plan for the year.

Finding Your One Word

Let’s go back to where we wrote out our 3 intentions from yesterday and your notes. What word or thought comes to mind when you read through your notes? Is there a theme? When you think of yourself one year from now, what is the first word that comes to mind?

Christine Kane’s post, Resolution Revolution has some very good examples of words if you are having trouble finding your word. If you really can not narrow it down to one word, maybe try Chris Brogan’s method of Wiring Yourself for Sucess. Chris explains how he chooses 3 words for the year that he uses as a compass point for his efforts throughout the year. I like the thought of the word(s) being a compass point.

If you can not come up with anything right away, maybe sit on it for another day. It’ll probably come to you in the shower.

No Right or Wrong

This is your word and your plan. And if you don’t go through each step and you just have a word, that’s ok. For me, I need to lay out a plan and I like having easy 1, 2, 3 steps to a project. But don’t make this harder than it needs to be. As Nike says, Just Do It!

My Word 

My word is Basics. I spend a lot of time complicating my life where it doesn’t need to be complicated. I buy every self-help book out there or create elaborate plans to accomplish my goals. I buy lots of gadgets and gizmos to help me through my day. But what I need to do is focus on is the basics of life. Being healthy, happy and enjoying life.The word basics encompasses all 3 of my intentions from yesterday.

1. Lose 15 lbs and get back to my healthy lifestyle of eating right, exercising reguarly and taking time for myself. Back to the basics of giving my body what it needs — healthy food, exercise and plenty of rest.

2. Declutter my life. Get rid of all the stuff that has accumultaed in my home, body, head, etc. Back to the basics of only what I need. I don’t need all the clutter around me.

3. Continue to grow my community around my blog and business. Back to the basics of what I love about blogging and why I started. I love giving back to the communities that have been there for me so often. Growing my business means I’m growing my community and helping so many others.

Tomorrow we will create a visualization of our word and intentions.

What is your word?

Either leave me a comment below with your one word or link to your blog post declaring your word.