As 2010 begins, everyone usually spends time reflecting, setting, goals, joining health clubs, etc. Last year, I saw a blog post by Chris Brogan describing his preference for setting the tone for the new year by choosing three words that reflect his focus for the coming year. I really liked that idea.
My three words last year that I chose to be my focus were: Genuine, Listen, Clarity.
Genuine. Despite the fact we grow out of our superficial teenage years, I find most of us as adults remain disingenuous and pretentious. Our relationships are so focused on what our environment determines as cool and impressive. The cars we drive, neighborhoods we live in, clothes we wear, friends we choose, businesses we shop at … all are so often determined with how we and others perceive how they make us look/feel. I tried to ge focused on what is really important. I need to continue seeking genuineness as it is too easy to fall back into the shallow.
Listen. Listening helps you to understand and takes the focus off you and places it on others or your surroundings. I think I started seeing just how much we don’t listen. Evidence of this is the amount of selfish noise I found on Twitter. It’s distracting and sometimes sad. Listening helped to be still. particularly when focusing on spiritual things.
Clarity. Areas of clarity I mentioned last year were those like professional direction, relationships, spirituality, past issues … and I have to say it was not a year that I found to have gained in these areas. I will keep this focus channel open.
2010 Words of Focus
SIMPLIFY – CONNECT – ACHIEVE
Simplify
For over a decade, I’ve been feeling that one of the more profound secrets to life is to simplify. Tending to over-think things is a personal characteristic that works against this. I want to find ways to seek the simple this year and appreciate it.
Connect
2009 was a year of developing some meaningful connections within social media channels as well as in the Phoenix area. I am also appreciative and thankful for those longer term friends that keep in touch. I tend not to be the best about keeping in touch. In 2010 I want to continue to develop those connections using Web 2.0 channels such as my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. And in contrast, I want to hold on to some traditional ways that are being lost such as the simple remembering others with a meaningful card, particularly on birthdays and Christmas.
Acheive
I’m excited about this focus area. This year I hope to complete within two classes of finishing my Masters in Adult Education and Training, seriously committ to the development of my personal and cruise blogs, improve in areas of exercise and diet, and establish a supplemental income.

As 2010 begins, everyone usually spends time reflecting, setting, goals, joining health clubs, etc. Last year, I saw a blog post by Chris Brogan describing his preference for setting the tone for the new year by choosing three words that reflect his focus for the coming year. I really liked that idea.

My three words last year that I chose to be my focus were: Genuine, Listen, Clarity.

Genuine. Despite the fact we grow out of our superficial teenage years, I find most of us as adults remain disingenuous and pretentious. Our relationships are so focused on what our environment determines as cool and impressive. The cars we drive, neighborhoods we live in, clothes we wear, friends we choose, businesses we shop at … all are so often determined with how we and others perceive how they make us look/feel. I tried to ge focused on what is really important. I need to continue seeking genuineness as it is too easy to fall back into the shallow.

Listen. Listening helps you to understand and takes the focus off you and places it on others or your surroundings. I think I started seeing just how much we don’t listen. Evidence of this is the amount of selfish noise I found on Twitter. It’s distracting and sometimes sad. Listening helped to be still. particularly when focusing on spiritual things.

Clarity. Areas of clarity I mentioned last year were those like professional direction, relationships, spirituality, past issues … and I have to say it was not a year that I found to have gained in these areas. I will keep this focus channel open.

2010 Words of Focus

SIMPLIFY – CONNECT – ACHIEVE

Simplify

For over a decade, I’ve been feeling that one of the more profound secrets to life is to simplify. Tending to over-think things is a personal characteristic that works against this. I want to find ways to seek the simple this year and appreciate it.

Connect

2009 was a year of developing some meaningful connections within social media channels as well as in the Phoenix area. I am also appreciative and thankful for those longer term friends that keep in touch. I tend not to be the best about keeping in touch. In 2010 I want to continue to develop those connections using Web 2.0 channels such as my blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. And in contrast, I want to hold on to some traditional ways that are being lost such as the simple remembering others with a meaningful card, particularly on birthdays and Christmas.

Achieve

I’m excited about this focus area. This year I hope to complete within two classes of finishing my Masters in Adult Education and Training, seriously commit to the development of my personal and cruise blogs, improve in areas of exercise and diet, and establish a supplemental income.

What words strike meaning for you as we begin a new year?