Hello Lovelies, and welcome back to the blog. Today I am letting you in on my focus word for 2022.
If you’ve been here a while, you know I’m big on goal setting. For the past few years, I’ve been choosing a single word to represent the type of things I want to hone in on and cultivate in my own life. Essentially, you choose one word, phrase, or song, and use that to focus your intentions throughout the entire year. I call this my focus word, and it has helped shape and define my path.
Why do this?
Well, if you’re trying to make a decision on something, you have your focus word to guide you. For instance, I chose FOCUS as my focus word the first year, because I was all over the place with multiple unfinished writing projects and I wanted to zero in on one project and work on it exclusively to get it done and off my plate. When the single project got hard and I wanted to quit and pursue some shiny new idea, I remembered my focus word and made a decision not to pursue the new thing.
Using a focus word can also help you shape your goal setting.
You direct your attention from that one single word. Say you use Healthy as your focus word for the year. It could mean any number of things to different people. If your mental health is in decline, maybe you make this your year to do some research, reach out to a close friend and tell them about your struggles, and go seek professional help. Maybe you establish healthy boundaries with your friends, family, coworkers, and with your electronics. If your physical health isn’t great, maybe you do as many push ups or crunches as you can while you’re waiting for your coffee brew in the morning, and maybe you stop eating junk food after dinner, and maybe you take up a dance class or go to the gym.
You can build in small habits that lead to big change.
Is five minutes of running in place waiting for your coffee to brew or your computer to boot life changing? No. But is it more physical activity than you are doing now? It might be. Is drinking a glass of water after dinner life changing? Not really, But if it helps you curb that craving for sweets one night just before bed and you sleep better as a result, then you’ve already succeeded.
You can use small changes to lead to bigger ones.
Habits stack on one another. 5 minutes of exercise in the morning isn’t huge on it’s own, but it ends up being 35 minutes a week. In a year, you exercise for 1820 minutes, or roughly 30 hours. And that’s if you only do 5 minutes a day. All you have to do is show up for 5 minutes.
We have talked before about doing the ONE thing that will make everything else easier in your life. I can’t tell you what that one thing is for you, that one domino that will make all the others fall into place. So I encourage you to take some time and really think about it. Boil it down to its barest essential parts. What is one thing that you know you need to do that will make your life better?
2023’s Focus Word? Action.
The word “action” is a fundamental concept when it comes to productivity and time management. At its core, action refers to the process of doing something or taking steps to achieve a goal. In the context of productivity and time management, taking action means actively working towards achieving specific tasks or objectives, rather than simply thinking or talking about them.
One of the key benefits of taking action is that it allows you to make progress and get things done. Whether you’re working on a personal project or trying to achieve a specific goal at work, taking action is essential for making progress and moving forward. By actively working towards your goals, you can identify and overcome obstacles, learn new skills, and gain momentum towards achieving your objectives.
In order to take effective action, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it. This involves setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, which can help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards your objectives. It’s also helpful to break larger goals down into smaller, more manageable tasks, as this can help you stay organized and on track.
Effective time management is also critical for taking action and getting things done. By prioritizing your tasks and allocating your time effectively, you can ensure that you are spending your time on the most important and impactful tasks, rather than getting bogged down in less important or less urgent tasks. This can help you make the most of your time and achieve your goals more efficiently.
There are a number of strategies and techniques that can help you take effective action and manage your time more effectively. Some common approaches include creating a to-do list, using a calendar or scheduling tool, setting aside dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks, and using productivity apps and tools to help you stay organized and focused.
One important aspect of taking action and managing your time effectively is developing good habits and routines. This can involve setting aside dedicated times for specific tasks, such as checking and responding to emails at set times throughout the day, or setting aside a specific time each day for exercise or personal development. By establishing consistent habits and routines, you can make it easier to stay focused and on track, and avoid getting distracted by less important tasks or activities.
In addition to taking action and managing your time effectively, it’s also important to be flexible and adaptable. This means being willing to adjust your plans and priorities as needed, and being open to new ideas and approaches. By being open to change and new ways of doing things, you can stay agile and responsive to the changing needs and demands of your work and life.
In summary, the word “action” is a crucial concept when it comes to productivity and time management. Taking action means actively working towards achieving specific tasks or objectives, rather than simply thinking or talking about them. By setting SMART goals, prioritizing tasks, and managing your time effectively, you can make progress and achieve your goals more efficiently. Additionally, by developing good habits and routines and being flexible and adaptable, you can stay focused and responsive to the changing needs and demands of your work and life.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you prioritize your tasks and allocate your time effectively?
- What techniques or strategies do you use to stay focused and avoid distractions?
- How do you set and achieve your goals?
- What are some common productivity pitfalls or obstacles you face, and how do you overcome them?
- How do you balance your work and personal life to ensure you are able to achieve both your professional and personal goals?
- What are some of your favorite productivity tools or apps, and how do you use them?
- How do you stay motivated and engaged when working on long-term projects or goals?
- What are some tips or strategies you use to stay organized and on track?
- How do you adapt to change and stay flexible in the face of unexpected challenges or obstacles?
