Every year before 2014, I would select a "New Year's Resolution" to start on January 1, and I would usually make a misstep and end up NOT reaching my goal. (In this study, less than half of participants reported success at sticking to their goals).
It was a tradition that I knew I needed to ditch, and in 2014 I learned of a practice by Chris Brogan that has proven to be beneficial to me both personally and professionally.
Since 2014, I select three words at the beginning of the year that will set my intentions, drive my actions, and align my purpose throughout the year.
For 2023, I chose Heal, Leap, and Sow. Little did I know how much I would lean into those words throughout the year, as it has been a year full of changes, big life events, and lots of joy.
As I get back to blogging consistently in 2024, I will be sharing about those changes and hard right turns that I made in 2023.
As each year comes to a close, I reflect on the year with specific questions to help me prepare and build momentum for the next one.
Here are five questions I ask myself as the end of the year approaches. (I don't think anything so far in my life has topped my answers for 2023!)
- What has had the greatest impact and how can I do more to amplify that?
- What am I most grateful for?
- What am I most proud of and why?
- What did I learn this year, and what do I need to dive deeper into?
- What challenged me this year?
#My3Words
While Chris says that we don't need to explain our words to anyone else, I find that posting them helps me with accountability as well as community. I learn a lot by reading about others' words, and over the years I've had others with common stories and goals to reach out to me.
“The three words are a shorthand representation of your bigger story. It’s kind of like how an icon isn’t the software program. It’s just a way for you to mentally access all the work you’re doing.”
- Chris Brogan
2015 - Rhythm. Bravery. Fitness.
2016 - Focus. Purpose. Do.
2017 - Pivot. Go. Grow.
2018 - Lift. Create. Relentless.
2019 - Practice. Execute. Be.