Hi there, Diane here, taking this last week of 2013 to reflect on the past year and start thinking about the upcoming New Year. I'm not really a New Year's Resolution kind of girl. I never did make a resolution that I kept, and in the end I only felt like a failure or bad about myself. I do, however, like Ali Edward's "One Little Word" concept and have done that for several years now.
Some years I have done more with my word than other years and I'm ok with that. What I like about having a word is that it is always in the back of my mind and, at times, will pop into my consciousness at just the right time and influence my decisions in a positive way.
I have also learned that writing down things that I want to focus on is a powerful tool in succeeding. My word for 2013 was "Yes" and I recently looked back at the layout I did about my word earlier this year and was amazed at what I had actually done with my word, without even realizing it at the time.
Here is the layout I made about my word...
I wrote down some things I wanted to keep in mind throughout the year on a framed chalkboard and had my son snap a photo of me. I said I wanted to say yes to trying new things, changing what doesn't work, and exploring the world.
Here are a few things that I did with my word:
- Volunteering with school programs that benefit my kids
- Accepting some fun amateur photography opportunities
- Moved into a new area of responsibility at work after doing the same thing for the past 15 years
- Started a new 25 minute workout regimen that help me shed and keep off excess weight
- Two trips abroad...a trip of a lifetime to France with my hubby and a fun family weekend get away to Cabo, Mexico
- I also gave up some things that I enjoyed to be able to focus more on my family and haven't regretted it for a minute
I plan to attach this list of accomplishments to the back of the layout. I'm sure that this will be really fun for future generations to look back on.
Whether you do resolutions, goals or choose a word to focus on, I hope you will take the time to make a layout about it and write out some of the things you want to do. At the end of the year, look back at the layout, I'm sure you will be amazed at what you accomplish.
I hope as 2013 comes to a close that you will enjoy these last few days with those you love most and that you will be blessed beyond measure in the New Year.
