I know that we are a little into 2022 and normally I would share this way earlier – it was decided in November 2021 after all. I realised the other day that I had not shared publicly.
Interesting question on a couple of fronts….
Why do I find it so helpful to have a one-word contextual beacon for the year?
Why do I share it publicly, any way?
How do you get one if your own?
Why is it so helpful to have a one-word contextual beacon for the year?
The purpose of having a one-word theme is because it acts like a guide or anchor for your dreams throughout the year. It helps balance out the often-conflicting areas of deep focus and opportunity grabbing. Think of it like MACRO structure for the year and then you can have MICRO flexibility, allowing you to respond to opportunities or challenges that arise during the course of a year
A one-word theme helps balance out the often-conflicting areas of deep focus and opportunity grabbing
Dr Jason Fox
I always felt that SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound) goals were a bit constraining for a whole year, when an opportunity or challenge would come along they were no longer relevant. New Year’s resolution/s had no permeance to them and were forgotten almost before the end of January. I understand the logic associated with SMART goals, they likely have their place, just not for me. I like to be able to grab opportunities as they arise.
I know that explanation can seem a little light, but I have found it super effective. I feel that is a very low risk approach to making meaningful change, you choose a word and anchor your year plans around it. If it does not work, you have not put in too much effort. However, this brings me nicely to why I share it publicly.
Why I share it publicly?
Aha, you have come across one of the reasons it is effective, well done you! The contextual beacon is super helpful when you share it. It you explain the word and what it means to you, to colleagues and friends, they will help keep you accountable. They will remind you of your word, when you are woosing out on doing something or you are not living according to your word.
Personally, I find that it anchors the dreams I am keen to achieve in the year ahead. Let me explain with an example. 2020 my word was FORGE, which was about creating things that were enduring, long lasting. I had planned to hold my first retreat in May 2020. If you recall, that was when we had just come out of severe lock down and we were still getting used to what this would means for us (the new normal the most overused phase of 2020). The retreat was a way to ensure I would write the content. Instead I asked my network if they wanted to participate in a REFLECTION REVOLUTION, which was a series of templates sent via snail mail. The content was not written, none of it. I was writing a couple of weeks ahead. I even explained in the intro that this might be 6-8 weeks, as I had not decided what templates would add the most value. Because my word for the year was FORGE. I did exactly that and worked out a way to FORGE ahead.
There are many more instances of this, throughout the year, where the contextual beacon would assist in guiding my decisions.
Enough already – How do I get one for myself?
Come along to a Design your Life Workshop , and part of the outcome, is we will work through your word. The investment of a day will give you a whole lot of context to enable you have 2 or 3 to choose from at the end of the day, that will serve your dreams best. All details are here
If you are unable to make the workshop, here are the four steps:
First, YOUR WORD NEEDS TO BE BOTH INSPIRING AND INSTANTLY UNDERSTANDABLE
The outcome we are after here is a word that is inspiring for you, but instantly understandable for everyone else. Having an obscure reference to a Lord of Rings character, will require too much explanation and it will be harder for your posse to help you keep focused, if it's a bit too tricky to remember the word, let alone, it's meaning. The only explanation should be around how that might apply in your context.
Here are Dr Jason Fox's quick tips about choosing a word wisely:
1. You're not just choosing a word. You're choosing a bundle of attributes, principles, and behaviours to aspire to.
2. Resist choosing your first word. It's probably boring or common. Explore the words near to the first word that comes to you. They're probably much more memorable and compelling.
3. It should generate a positive response. When I think of my word, every year I have created it (see later for inspiration) it always makes me smile when I think about it. This also happens when others have arrived at their word, it kind of clunks in place.
It is super important here that the word has context. That is why I put this in the 4th phase of my Design your Life on Purpose workshop. Picking any random word is not going to generate any magical insights, in and of itself. However, choosing a words after you have reflected in the year that has been and dreamt of what you want out of life, now that will anchor you and guide you going forward.
Second, MAKING YOUR WORD LESS DULL
You have a word, but it is bit dull - fancy it up by trying to relate it to one of the following:
Animal
Active
Archetype
Aspects
Abstract
Is there an archetype that applies? e.g. pioneer (my word for 2016), pirate, or an animal that has the characteristics you are looking for - maybe a Bengal Tiger. Think of something that works for you and is inspiring and memorable.
Thirdly, ADD AN IMAGE
You can make your contextual beacon more powerful by adding an image. Vision trumps every other sense (Brain Rules John Medina)
Fourthly, SHARE YOUR WORD
I mentioned before, why I share publicly. Give people your word. Make sure your word will serve you in your social ecology. Choose a word your friends and colleagues will actually use and hold you to.
Waverider 2022
My word for 2022 is Waverider – this is about me riding the waves that inevitably happen throughout the year, rather than stressing about getting them just perfect. Especially, when those waves are awesome, like running 2 DYLOP Programs late 2021. It also means I can choose to let a wave pass me by, if that wave if not for me.
