Thanks again to Blogger Chris Brogan who laid out a pretty convincing rationale for selecting three words to guide one’s action in the new Year, in lieu of the ever ineffective New Year’s Resolutions concept. After thinking for a day or two I have my three. And I like them very much.
Create
Creation, the crown jewel of my guiding lights. As (evidently) said by George Bernard Shaw, “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” In holding up the mantra CREATE I seek not only to become more creative on a daily basis, but I also own the fact that my life is something I create. Moreover, I can do even the most mundane of things in a more creative way. I can seek out the company and wisdom of others who share creative leanings.
Maximize
I wanted to say something about being the best I can be, whatever I am doing. If I am working, I should do it as best as I can. If I am not working (as in, NOW) I should be making the best possible use of my time to improve myself and improve life for others, especially my family. So, Maximize (and maximizing creatively is pretty fun too).
Model
I often forget that I am a role model for others, especially my daughter. Some days I feel I have failed to model positive behaviors in say, health and organization areas. I have achieved a lot, and I have earned a lot, and with those “lots” comes the responsibility to be a role model. Modeling also, for me, includes mentoring, helping others to reach their goals to the extent that I can.
I plan to reflect on these concepts and apply them day to day, and in doing so, I know I will grow and benefit in 2009! What will YOUR guideposts be?
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The Englishman has a newer, larger, cleaner apartment outside NYC, with no view and no furniture. We camped out there for a couple of days with only a futon, a TV, one chair, a parrot and a westie. When a place is small and uncluttered, the car safely parked, the internet silenced and snow falling, simple pleasures like scrounging up dinner and hanging out with your best friend become that much easier to enjoy. And so we watched a twilight zone marathon, fell asleep early and woke up to a leisurely new year’s day drive back to New England. That is how we started our year- peacefully and slowly, together.
Three Words
And the calendar has turned over to 2009. THIS year I have a new framework, borrowed from blogger Chris Brogan. Every year Chris selects three words that provide a framework for his day-to-day actions- not goals or resolutions, but guiding lights/signposts. You can find his philosophy here. Great stuff! In between applying for jobs (just finished one to the National Patient Safety Foundation) I’ve been thinking about my three words. One will of course be “create”. I’ve been mulling over something like “simplify” but I want to get closer to something more pragmatic- organizing and decluttering- my physical surroundings, my body and my mind. I’m not sure that weight loss and decluttering are captured in “simplify”. I’m also thinking about “model” where model implies “being the change one wants to see” and also captures the idea that I am a role model for my daughter and others in my life, so I should be more aware and more fully elevate that function in my life.
Try this exercise out for yourself. It’s inspiring and thought-provoking, and a fabulous way to procrastinate too.
