New Year, New Decade, New Word

It’s that time of the year when thoughts turn to New Year’s Resolutions, goals, plans for the year and lists (lots of people are addicted to lists - and notebooks). Sadly, my 2019 list of things to do was severely neglected in 2019 – even though I had more time than ever to get things done.  So neglected, that when I upgraded my computer, it seems to have dropped off and I've only just noticed. Technology fail.

I don’t really go for New Year’s Resolutions – in one year and out the other (I did read this week that they are basically just to-do-lists for the first week of the year) – but I do like a good list and I choose a ‘word.’ 

My word for 2019 was FREEDOM.  That was an easy one, after all I was happily unemployed and had a whole year ahead of me to do as I pleased.  But what did that actually mean?  Time to write more, read more, get fit, learn new things and do all those things I’ve always wanted to do but never had enough time.

Full steam ahead.  Until, I stalled.  Life got slower, I don’t mean I slept in or spent all day doing nothing, I walked more, got out and met new people for coffee, chatted to neighbours, went overseas, helped Emi, ironed (livin' the dream) and cooked more than ever!  Was I bored? Never. Did I miss work? Fuck no.  But I didn’t do all the things that I thought were important. I didn’t write more, I wrote less, I read less, I ticked less things off my list and I still don’t have a Will.

For me, FREEDOM meant PROCRASTINATION.

I would have quiet happily remained 'retired', but financially not a realistic option and FREEDOM obviously wasn’t working out as expected.  Get a job I love was top of the list, working out what that was – hard!  Finding a job outside of “what you do” not so easy.  

But exactly one year after FREEDOM, I started working again.  My new job came out of the blue in that I didn’t apply for it.  Do I love it? Does it pay well? No, not really but guess what, I’m starting to get more of the things I love to do done!  The saying “if you want something done give it to a busy person” now makes perfect sense. 

I start 2020 employed.  I’ve given some thought to goals and have started working on my list of things to do for the year.  And now I need a word.  In a recent post, I asked for a positive word that began with the first letter of your name to get some ideas. 

  I received lots of great words and added a few more and came up with a long list:

BEAUTIFUL	MARVELLOUS	AMAZING	TRANQUIL
KINDNESS	RESPECT	DETERMINATION	BOLDNESS
CALM	CARE	JOY	DO
CHALLENGE	ENJOY	LISTEN	LAUGH
AMAZING	FUN	RELEASE	HAPPY
BEGIN	DREAM	ALIGNMENT	BALANCED
HOPE	COMPASSION	GRATITUDE	GROW
FORGIVE	WONDER	AWESOME	PRESENCE
INSPIRATION	ADVENTURE	POSITIVITY	IMAGINE
ACTION	CONFIDENCE	JOURNEY	SATISFACTION
COMMITTED	ENOUGH	DIRECTION	BRAVE
TRUST	SPARKLE	STRENGTH	TODAY
LOVE	FOCUS	POSSIBILITIES	RECLAIM

 I narrowed it down to five and then chose one without overthinking it. And the word is…………..

BEGIN

Not sure why that word stood out for me. Maybe because I’d read a recent quote by Zig Ziglar:

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great”   Be like Zig.

All of a sudden, I came across other quotes that resonated: 

“Start before you're ready. Don't prepare, begin.” - Mel Robbins

“Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise.” - Horace

“There are so many doors to open. I am impatient to begin." - Charlie Gordan

“Beginning is difficult, but unavoidable” - Israelmore Ayivor

“Don't try to figure out the whole race. Just figure out where to put your foot for the starting line. Just start.” - Jeff Olson

Footnote:  Thanks Lesley for writing down "Lazy".  Because it's an important reminder that we should all have a lazy day once in a while!  Siesta Sunday's should be a thing.