2013 words. Illustration by Mike Davenport.

For the past few years, I’ve followed Chris Brogan’s practice of picking three words to use as guideposts for the coming year.

As Chris describes it:

The concept is simple enough: think of three words that sum up what you want to change or work towards in the coming year. Instead of a goal like “lose weight” or a better goal like “lose 30 pounds in the next year”, you might choose a word like “green” to represent an overall commitment to having more plant-based foods in your life, and to restore your body to a more natural state.

See the difference?

This year’s three words are:

Fit

Learning more about health and the things I can do for my body. A major achievement last year was losing all of the 30 pounds that I set as a “hope” (I hesitate to call it a goal) two years earlier. I like the way I feel and want to maintain it for the rest of my life.

Focus

I have a diverse set of skills, which is a good thing, except when it’s not. I need a clearer vision of my purpose, that I can use to set better goals.

Sufficient

In the sense of “enough”, as described in Your Money or Your Life. Enough income to support our basic needs, comforts and just a few luxuries, without spilling over into the accumulation of stuff, debt or unwanted obligations.

Three words photo by Oliver Teicke.

On this first day of 2012, I am following Chris Brogan’s suggestion to pick three words to guide me in the coming year. Because, as Chris says:

Resolutions are often too vague, or too directed towards one goal. It might be “quit smoking” or “lose 20 pounds” or “get hired.” These are all fine aspirations, but I challenge you to dig deeper, to find three words that could be used as lighthouses to guide you through stormy seas, that can be used as flags on the battlefield of your challenges, words that will bolster you and give you a direction that goes beyond the goals you might attach as a result of these words.

So, without further ado, here are my three words for 2012:

Enthusiasm

Bring enthusiasm to the task at hand. Use enthusiasm as a primary signal when choosing to pursue opportunities.

Capacity

Build capacity to engage with meaningful tasks and see them through to completion. Find or build tools and structures to make work manageable.

Distribute

Distribute work among many people. Distribute ideas to people who value them. Distribute myself among people with differing skills and viewpoints.

Happy New Year’s Day to you all and I wish you an excellent year to come.

Words photo by ninasaurusrex.