I find I learn the most when I am convinced that I am right about something and, in the end, turn out to be wrong.
I was wrong last year when I wrote a post about what I thought was a reader's misguided decision to name her year the Year of Focus. The irony, I proclaimed, was that there was nothing focused about the Year of Focus. I counseled, with all of my infinite wisdom, that her year needed to be named after something specific. Something tangible, something measurable, and well... something focused.
Like me and my Year of the Book.
It turns out I was wrong and I hope that by sharing all the ways in which I was misguided, I can help you advance your thinking about what to name 2012.
Last year my goal was specific. Write a book.
I had a realistic and well articulated plan, perfectly layed out in my Planner Pad.
I arranged a writing coach to hold me accountable.
I even had a topic, an outline, and some words already on paper when the new year started.
I'm still not certain what went wrong with my Year Of, but when I juxtapose my experience with Cheryl, Heather, and Karlie's years (three readers who I mentioned in a post a few weeks back), I cannot help but think that my problem was my Plan. I do not remember when I got off track, but I imagine once I fell behind I probably did one of two things. I either beat myself up for not doing what I set out to do or I spent an exhorbitant amount of time working on Plans B, C, D, and E. Either way, I wasn't writing.
Cheryl, Heather, and Karlie, on the otherhand, did not go into their year with a rigid and unforgiving Plan. Instead, they began their year with a simple conviction to spend the next 365 days focusing on Love, training for a Triathlon, and talking more about 30-Walk, respectively.
Not at a certain time.
Or in a certain way.
Or with a specific outcome.
Just a simple conviction that "blank" is important to me and trusting that, if each day for the next year I put one foot in front of the other, results will follow.
And they did. In a big way.
As you set about deciding on your Year Of, don't fall into my trap of over planning. Instead, spend that same energy reflecting on what is important to you in 2012 and why. Trust, if you have done the hard work of identifying what you really want, that the path you should take will, in fact, present itself.
I've heard from a handful of you about what you are thinking you might name your years - some via email - but I would love to hear from even more of you. My hope is to have 20-25 of you on board by the middle to end of January, so that we can share our journeys in a creative sort of way. Visit us in the comment section and give us some idea of what you are thinking about naming your year.
Shining off until...
As you read this I will be sitting on a plane headed to Florida, where I intend to spend a week at the House of Shine soaking in the sun and warm tempartures.
But that's not the "warm up" I am talking about in the title of today's post.
I am talking about warming up your mind, body, and spirit and embracing the idea of naming your year. No idea what I mean? Click here and read a recent post where I talk about naming your year in more detail.
The idea is to think about a change you would like to make in your life. Not a laundry list of resolutions that come February are long forgotten. Instead a single area in your life where you where you think there is room for improvement.
Long time friends of the House of Shine - Cheryl, Heather, and Karlie - serve as perfect examples when, in 2011, they named their years the Year of Love, Year of the Triathlon, and the Year of One, respectively. Each of their years was focused on something specific and each lent itself to ongoing activities.
The Wall Street Journal proposed an interesting twist on our annual tradition when, in an article written yesterday by Elizabeth Bernstein, she suggests "outsourcing" the task by soliciting feedback from someone close to you.
In other words, if you are not sure what to name your year then consider asking your spouse, children, or friends what goal you should set or what change should consider making in the coming year. A small caveat. Author, Elizabeth Bernstein, admits you must be ready to have your feelings hurt, should your significant other suggest a change that leaves you feeling defensive.
Nonetheless, that's your assignment for this next week. While I am basking in the Florida sun, I challenge each of you to mull over ideas about what you might name the year 2012. Do it by journaling, making lists, looking on line, consulting with a loved one, or visiting the Comment Section and boucing ideas off of us.
I'll be back before the week is over to talk more about the idea of naming your year. One thing is for sure, whether you are reading this from you living room in Illinois, your office in Pennsylvania, or your iphone in Arizona, it's time to warm up.
Shining off until...
Take time out from holiday preparations and share one of the ways you are shining this holiday season.
Did you pick out the ultimate gift for someone on your list?
Or do you shine because of your outrageously creative wrapping job?
Did you host a great holiday party?
Or discover the perfect hostess gift?
Is your home beautifully decorated?
Or are you feeling shiny because, after years of saying you would, you finally wrote a Christmas letter?
Did you get your packages mailed on time?
Or is your new holiday outfit what has you feeling so great?
Take time to visit the Comment Section and tell us why you Shine this holiday season.
Shining off until...