My Three Words for 2014
For the past 4 years I have prepared for the new year by choosing 3 words. So, Instead of creating a complex and non-functional list of resolutions which we all forget after the second week of January, I keep these 3 words and include them in my short and long term goals.
The 3 Words Concept
My friend and colleague Chris Brogan introduced me to this exercise a few years ago. For the past few years Chris publishes a blog post sharing what his three words of the year will be. If you want more details feel free to stop over his 3 words for 2013 and read through the post.
How I use My Three Words for the Year
These 3 words guide me through the year and I am reminded of them in different ways daily.
I keep them in plain site where I am reminded daily of the three words. I also set up my task management software to remind me to re-focus when I get off track.
My 3 Words Over the Years
2011 – Renew, Focus, and Complete
2012 – Sharing, Purpose, and Organic
2013 – Brief, Fluid, and Control
My 3 Words for 2014
Observe
I need to find a balance in attempting and experimenting with projects and possible opportunities. By first observing how they tie into my current goals and structure, I can get a better understanding of where I want to put my energy. With observation I find that I might be able to identify newer opportunities that might become part of my new goals.
As I also want to improve my photography skills, observing will play a huge part in better shots (which will help me tell my story better). Observing will also help me create better work for my clients from coaching to developing their websites or business strategies.
Subtract
I tend to add to what I create. I do this with some of my blog posts; I will come back and add more words making them longer than I would like. The primary word I want to focus on is subtracting. That means from eliminating certain things that don’t add value to my life from projects to certain business relationships.
I have been trying to practice minimalism and thanks to a book by the minimalists which I was gifted, I can clearly say I have gotten better and removed a lot of clutter from my life. I am still working on that and plan to do the same in other aspects of my life.
Subtracting sometimes is a lot harder to do but I see value in following this approach. The less weight you carry the better you can work on other projects.
Release
One thing I need to fix from 2013 was that I did not publish content as much. I did not write as much as in previous years. I guess the priority I assigned to one of my three words from last year (Control) , because I thought I needed to focus on gaining and maintaining more control. I wanted to work on quality but I find that sometimes by creating quantity you will get better and reach that quality.
I will give it my best to write more and create more content in 2014. Writing always helps me with overcoming goals, hitting publish also does, and releasing projects has proven to be a very useful formula for my personal and business success.
I will work more on releasing ideas, publishing, and working on putting more stuff out into the Universe.
Resolutions or a Few Words
Will you be taking the traditional approach or using something more practical to guide you during 2014?
What are your 3 Words for 2014?
PS: It’s my brother Luis’ Birthday so if you can stop by his facebook profile and wish him a Happy Birthday that would be super cool.
Great concept. My 3 for 2014 will be “Write, Risk and Focus.” I derived them from my plans and goals, and this makes an excellent mnemonic to stay on track during those “going through the motions” periods.
@gil_c_schmidt:disqus thsoe are great… I wonder how the Risk part comes into place. 🙂
My most productive and successful periods have been based on risk, well-managed, but still “out on a limb.” I’ve not pushed myself that way for a couple of years and I’d rather be having fun on a roller coaster than enjoying some quiet time. Time to shake things up!
I think in release I am talking about the same thing. 🙂 Will be on the rollercoaster with you! 🙂
Sr. Colon. A very enlightening post. Instead of inundating your mind with so much clutter, with respect to new years resolutions, one should take your example, by simplifying ones goals for that particular year. My three words for 2014. Ideate, Write, and Expect. Thank you Raul. Happy New Year! Blessing.
@babote:disqus I follow this from my friend Chris Brogan. It helps a lot throughout the year. I just yesterday stopped reminding myself of my words for 2013. Best wishes!
Way cool; added yours to my list. Mine were posted early so I could spend a few posts walking through them.
So cool thanks… I might want to add a list like yours including those you found on this post for future references.
My three words this year are: Create, Service, and Ship. Like you, I also don’t feel like I created a whole lot of content last year. And that needs to change. So this year I’m really going to focus on creating more…a lot more. But also, letting go of perfection which means shipping things faster.
@ricardobueno:disqus I think I need to let go of Perfect also. What is ok for me might be of great help for someone else. 🙂
My 3 words will be monitor, fix and act. I will monitor my emotions, surroundings and life to see what I need to fix. I will act to achieve my goals.
Great post Raul. Have a nice day.
I think the way you structured sounds great! 🙂