My 3 Words for 2014

I started this practice in 2013 after being introduced to it by Chris Brogan and Anthony Iannarino. Thank you gentlemen. Last year I chose to focus on:

1. Be Bold. Say what you need to say. Don’t let fear determine what you will and won’t do.
2. Lean in. To the grind, to the moment.
3. Mojo. Having confidence, swagger and charming authenticity.

I didn’t focus on these words enough throughout the year but as I look back over 2013 I have improved in each of these areas.

For 2014 these are my three words:

Mindful: Too often, I find myself running like mad without really thinking or understanding why. With so much to do and so little time, I’m often thinking about tomorrow, or the next meeting, instead of what’s happening right now – missing the present moment. I do this at work, and more dreadfully, at home with my family. Late in 2013, I started practicing daily meditation. For me, in 2014, ‘mindful’ means:

• To practice daily meditation and improve my ability to be mindful.
• Be present in each moment.
• Be aware of, yet detached from, my thoughts and emotions.
• Focus on the task or purpose I’ve chosen at this time and not let my wandering mind pull me unconsciously away.

Discipline: Executing on the plans I’ve made. It seems basic and I consider myself a fairly disciplined person, however, I’m finding it’s mastering the basics that create greatness. At home, this means taking care of myself: sleeping enough, eating well, exercising regularly, and practicing mindful meditation. At work, this means keeping the appointments I set with myself, doing the behind the scenes grunt work that makes great client meetings possible, using what I learned last time to improve the next.

Vulnerable: If I’ve learned anything from my experience working with my friends at Skeleton Key it is that strength comes from vulnerability. For me, this means…

• Sharing my observations and opinions, even if they appear half-baked to me.
• Raising questions that expose my ignorance.
• Asking for help.

It’s easy to think that doing any of these things is demonstrating weakness. In reality, they’re demonstrating willingness to improve, to challenge the status quo, to be less than perfect, to be human.