Three Words for 2014
Last year I was introduced to Chris Brogan’s “Three Words” exercise and for whatever reason, I didn’t create a list of my own. Oddly, it mostly had to do with the fact that I felt I was too busy to fit it in. I would now like to visit last year’s version of myself to quickly say, “Hahahahahaha!!”
As it turns out, I wasn’t busy at all, just disorganized. That said, my first step in 2014 is going to be taking the time to share my “Three Words” with all seven of you reading this. Each word comes with an explanation as to why I chose it, that will make complete sense to me but perhaps not as much sense to you. Without further dudes, here are my “Three Words” for 2014:
1. Push – I need to stop telling myself that something is going to fail before I try it. I have a lot of goals for this coming year that were also on my list from last year. The closer I would get to seeing them through, the busier I would pretend to be. This vicious cycle continued all year to the point where I feel like I accomplished very few of the goals I had set for myself.
This year is hopefully going to be different. I am going to push myself to, at the very least, attempt the things on my list, even if they result in failure. I have been so afraid to make a mistake or fail at something that I have been talking myself out of trying them and that needs to stop this year.
2. Learn – Part of my lack of self-confidence is that I don’t spend enough time familiarizing myself with the projects I want to complete. For instance, I have wanted to start a podcast from Day 1 of this blog but I always give myself a pass because I don’t know the first thing about podcasting. This is despite the fact that I have had more than one person tell me that they would be happy to walk me through the steps and that it would be easier than I thought. I want to take more time to hone my craft, which includes becoming a better writer, speaker and to gain a greater understanding of the social media space.
I would also like to start reading books again. The first half of last year was my most creative by far, and I feel like it is no coincidence that my creativity started to wane around the beginning of summer, when I convinced myself that I was “too busy” to read anymore. I’m proud to announce that I have already started to rectify this situation when I started reading Brett Wilson’s “Redefining Success”.
3. Family – This was an adjustment year for my family. With my wife running a home daycare, I had a hard time figuring out how to balance family and a full time job, along with my writing, speaking, social media work and various other hobbies and part time gigs. I felt completely disorganized most of the time and ended up wasting a lot of time back tracking and staring at blank screens, when I could have been spending time with my family.
Sadly, it took a death in my family this holiday season to really open my eyes to what I was missing, and I have vowed to make some serious changes. What kind of dad blogger would I be if I let this website take away from the very thing it is based on? This goal can be easily achieved by simply being more organized in my day to day life and I am confident that I can do it.
That’s it for my list. I actually got a lot out of doing this exercise and encourage you to do the same whether you intend on sharing it or not. I probably could have listed about 10 words for things I want to accomplish or improve about myself for this year, but one thing I’ve learned is that the more I add, the less I achieve. I hope you have an amazing 2014, filled with happiness, love and dreams coming true!
Great three words – I know I get a lot more out of doing this exercise than making resolutions! Glad you enjoyed doing it too. Your first two words sound like they could be on my list too, for very similar reasons. As for family – being a part-time parent, you learn very early on to make the most of the time you have when your kid(s) is/are with you! Happy new year!
It’s funny, as I go through everyone’s lists, I noticed a lot of words that I could have put on mine. Maybe we should start a 10 words exercise for next year, hah.
Very powerful words, Chris. All three I hold dear to my heart. I have a phrase I say, “120% effort with -6% result”. That phrase reminds me that even if I fail at my attempt, the effort was there. From that effort, I “Learned” lessons to help me succeed the next time I made another attempt. As for the third word, it should be the most important word. I have lost most of my family, but having experienced yours, it is a special gift to cherish. I guess what I am trying to say is your three words mirror my own in some ways. You have experienced a lot in your life, and will much more in your future time spent here. Take those three words and hold them close, use them often and reward yourself with what they can give you. Just an outsider’s perspective. Cheers.
Thanks, Iain. I’m used to talking a big game but feel like it’s time to start implementing that drive into results.
You honestly blow my mind..lol This from a mother who remembers a son who couldn’t speak in public if his life depended on it..Now you make my heart swell and I think we did a good job your dad and I..probably mostly thanks to your dad..who took you out into the world and made you see new and wonderful things and people..All my love..Mom!!
I credit both of you equally 😀 Thanks Mom.
Great words, Chris! I’m sure you could look back at last year and figure out where your focus was, a retrospective three words. There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes.
Great post! I began my ‘Three Words’ tradition this year, too. Excellent exercise, and it will be awesome to see what comes of it this year. Cheers!
Great choices
My partner has done Three Words for the last four years. Last year he did a really good job with one of his words which was brevity. I like to think that I supported him while doing this exercise and it is important to keep them on hand as a reminder of what you want to accomplish. One thing he did was to take photos, put the words on the three photos, and post them up in the office. That way he was visually seeing them everyday above his desk. Have a successful year with your Three Words.
I am a very visual person as well. I have quotes and messages pinned up all over my office space and they help keep me focused and driven.
Excellent three words. Go get ’em!