For the past few years, I've followed the practice of choosing One Word for the new year. The idea is to choose a word that represents not who I am now, but who I aspire to be in the coming year— a word I can “live into” in 2019 for all aspects of my life— spiritually, emotionally, physically, and professionally.
Two years ago, my One Word was Growth, as my focus was on growing—in my role as a husband, father, and friend, in my ability to give back and serve others, physically as I built a stronger body, and in my business. Last year, I chose Intentional— being more aware, more focused, and more present in all my activities.
For 2019, my word is BOLD.
I was first inspired by this word in the fall, as my son Jack entered 6th grade at Wayzata West Middle School. The staff and faculty at West encourage students to Be BOLD, an acronym for Build community, Own your learning, Lead positively, and Develop balance. This acronym spoke to me both personally and professionally, as all four points resonate and are relevant to me:
- My professional success revolves around building community; my business is built one cup of coffee at a time, in that the process by which I meet and work with clients is so relational. I find my clients over coffee at Caribou rather than through an email marketing campaign. I work with business owners to build better businesses, which empowers them and their employees to be better, which ultimately helps to build a stronger and more vibrant community.
- Coaching is, at its core, about getting better, and I need to constantly develop my knowledge, skills, and understanding to better serve my clients. This is sometimes referred to as kaizen; the commitment to never-ending learning and improvement. No one can do this but me; I need to own my learning in order to develop my craft and my practice.
- I am a positive and upbeat person. I work to infuse those around me (friends, family, colleagues, and clients) with the positive energy I feel, and get them to see the opportunities in a situation rather than the threats. Leading positively is an important part of who I am, and how I carry myself on a daily basis. Mindset matters. Positivity matters. If I can infuse those ideas in those around me, I will make a positive difference in my world.
- I set seven Goals for myself in 2019. Only one of them was directly related to my business. The other six, while certainly having an effect on my professional success, related to my family life, my physical well-being, and my own ability to slow down and be present. Developing balance between professional success, financial independence, health and wellness, and family and relationships truly matters, and it is a major theme for me in 2019.
Finally, Bold represents making big things happen in 2019. I need to build my success in 2018. Things I did well need to be done better. Small events and wins from 2018 need to turn into big accomplishments in 2019. I need to reach outside my comfort zone and have faith in my abilities. I need to take big steps and make big moves in the coming year. I need to be BOLD!
What is your One Word for 2019? Where do you need to change, and how can that change manifest itself in a word? Take some time to discern your One Word. Post it where you can see it every day; on your desktop at work, on the fridge, taped to your bathroom mirror (this year, mine is written at the top of my goal sheet—in bold font, of course!). Do your best to live into your One Word every day, and see where it takes you this year.
If you pick your One Word and then want to talk about how to live into it professionally if you want someone to keep you accountable and establish the disciplines you need to become that person, let’s talk. Set up a conversation with me, and let’s get to work!
