Happy New Year! Every year I choose a word or two to help motivate me in the pursuit of my goals. I discovered the One Little Word course back in 2017 when I put together my five-year plan Originally, I followed the Ali Edwards One Little Word project to help me dig into the use of a word to shape my year.
One Little Word is a year-long self-reflection and memory keeping project that I found helped me celebrate my wins and refocus my energy each month. Using an album, the tool kit, and monthly prompts, I was able to set intentions for each month and evaluate them every month by using my word of the year.
My past one little word list has included:
For 2021, I am focusing on the word Grind.
“Hard dull work; move noisily and laboriously; continue for a long time in a weary way; to produce something tedious in a slow and laborious way.”
With this word, I invite hard work, struggle, and success in my world.
One Little Word 2021
Recently, while working through my 2021 Powersheets prep-work, I was reminded that struggle plays a necessary part in the pursuit of a goal. Suffering is not everlasting and does not have to be the end result, instead, the struggle is living “wholeheartedly for something worthwhile, knowing all good pursuits cost us something.”
By choosing to grind hard for the next six months, I am committing to working hard with little reward. I am focused on building the life I’ve imagined through tired eyes for a short time to hopefully obtain a positive result.
I am not participating in the OLW online class this year, but I do want to practice self-reflection and memory keeping. My plan is to take lots of photographs this year, print them using my Canon Selphy, and to compile them into an album for the year. I know we live in the digital age, but I still love photo albums.
Make It Visible
One big lesson I learned from OLW courses is the value of keeping my word of the year visible. Seeing the word regularly helps keep me motivated and helps to remind me of my why. Consequently, I have integrated the word into my life in a few ways:
- Every morning, as part of my writing practice, I write my word and how it relates to my overall five-year plan. Then, I write down my eight goals for the year and a few daily affirmations.
- I made a photo of myself with the word ‘Grind’ the lock screen wallpaper on my phone to serve as a constant reminder every time I look at my phone.
- I made a digital vision board for the year that centers my word within, printed the document, and taped it in my Powersheets. However, I also created a version for the screensaver on my personal computer.
Doing these three things has really helped to keep my word of the year present in my everyday life.
Work in silence
My word of the year project has always been a quiet pursuit. Usually, I share my word at the top of the year and work on them in silence. I find it simpler to share the lessons and process after the fact. Plus, my opinion is the one that matters most in my life. However, this year I will share photos and experiences along the way here and on Instagram.
By sharing my word, I hope to push past my limiting beliefs and to provide myself with a level of accountability at the top of the year. I have found over the years that every word I chose has something to teach me, and all I have to do is take the time to reflect and listen.
Fear
Am I looking forward to struggle? No, but I know that I have the coping skills to deal with struggle and that the result of my hard work will be worthwhile.
Matter of fact, I was apprehensive about choosing the word ‘Grind’ because it implies that I am going to work myself into the ground. However, that is not how I plan to have the word show up in my life. For me, it means that I will show up every day and put my best foot forward.
I will keep my foot on my neck, and push past my limiting beliefs to reach my potential. Fear can and has stopped me in the past, but in 2021 I commit to pushing past fear. Recognizing that fear is my own ambition scaring me.
It’s time for a transformation
After reflecting on year three of my 5-year plan, I realize that this is a pivotal year. I can have the life I want. Full stop.
However, that will only happen if I push for my big long-term goals.
When I created the plan, I sought a transformation in my life. I set big goals that would be hard to reach but would provide me with a life I could be happy to show up for every day. At this moment, I am happy to show up for my life.
Genuinely joyful, but I know that my limiting beliefs can stop me if I am not careful. So, this year I am feeling the fear, and pursuing my goals anyway.
Word for The Year: Grind
In my mind, grinding is something that happens every day. It’s me making progress little by little, pushing past fear every day, and reaching for something more.
Usually, I set my goals for the year, and pursue my annual goals by focusing on them 90 days at a time. This year, with the daily grind in mind, I am pursuing my goals 30 days at a time. Making small steps to achieve my goals one day at a time.
If you care to share, please leave your word of the year in the comments below, and tell me how you want your word to show up in your life this year.
