Focus, attention and time are all very scarce resources. We live in a world where change, complexity and an overwhelming amount of choice, information, data and opinion bombard us on a daily basis. It’s so easy to spin out in busyness and confusion, so it’s important to have something to anchor you.
That’s where the power of a theme, focus or “Big Word” comes in. Creating an intentional word or phrase to help you keep your feet on the ground can make all the difference in creating outstanding success and impact, or just hitting the mark. There’s truism I love that says we overestimate what we can do in a day, yet underestimate what we can do in a year. What might be possible for you if you took consistent, daily action in alignment with an overarching focus for your year?
As I was polishing up some old family heirloom silver over the holidays, I was wondering about my Big Word for 2020. Here were these candlestick and cutlery, tarnished with age, some of which were likely about 100 years old. I thought about how my grandparents must have used them, I wondered who joined them in sharing meals where these special pieces graced their dinner tables. And here I was, in a new century from the original owners, preparing my own meal for my family and friends. It felt like a “circle of life” kind of moment.
Taking off the tarnish revealed the real beauty of these silver pieces. And the word “Shine” popped into my head. It had such a lot of resonance for me I felt it would make a great Big Word for 2020.
To me, SHINE means I’m making a decision to play full out and not be afraid to be visible. When I choose to shine, I can offer a source of illumination for others who may want to walk with me. When I shine, I’m not letting any bits of self-doubt, urge to procrastinate, or second-guessing myself hold me back from stretching my comfort zone. In terms of tangible things in my life, to SHINE means taking on a role in my upcoming musical that is going to be a big stretch (and a lot of fun!) To SHINE means my next book gets published in 2020. To SHINE means adding coaching and more facilitation to the work I offer my clients.
When I do my daily and weekly planning, I ask myself “How can I shine today?” When I’m feeling low in energy or focus, I’ll ask myself where have I let some tarnish start to build up? What do I need to do to clear it? I find this contemplation has been really useful in terms of my nutrition and physical health. After a fair bit of holiday cookies the past couple of weeks, I know that too much sugar isn’t good for me.
One of the best lines in my favourite musical of all time, Hamilton, is when Alexander Hamilton asks Aaron Burr this question:
“If you don’t know what you stand for, what will you fall for?”
Would having a Big Word be helpful for you at the start of your 2020? I’d love to hear your Big Word!
