A few years back, my husband and I decided that we wanted to do annual planning sessions for ourselves, just like we did for our businesses. What a great idea! To hear us, you'd think we'd come up with some brand new concept.
Needless to say, the process took way too long, and we had way too little time. In other words, it sort of fell by the wayside. We'd start out with good intentions, but never seemed to get everything out and discussed that we needed to. So we developed this little trick that we make sure to do, no matter what. We call it One Word.
Each year we decide on One Word that encompasses what we want for the coming year. Sort of like a theme or mantra. For 2010, our word was Simplify. We had accumulated way too much stuff, our life had gotten way too complicated, and we needed to simplify.
Once we decide on One Word, we make other decisions about the upcoming year based on that word. For example: when deciding what area of town to move to, we looked at what would simplify our life. When deciding whether or not to buy something, we'd ask ourselves, "Will having this thing simplify or complicate my life?" or "How will choosing X or Y simplify my life?"
What is most amazing is, once we put the word out to the Universe, we start seeing the corresponding principal or energy start to work. Once we decide that this is what we want our life to be about for the next year, the Universe seems to give it to us.
I'd suggest giving it a try, but I have to warn you first. Be careful what you ask for. Once you put it out there, the Universe will do its best to give you what you want. If you balk, you may find yourself pushed into it anyway. The Universe may know that having fewer cars would simplify your life, but you're not doing anything about that. So one morning you wake up to find that your car has been side-swiped in the night and is a total loss. Now you have one less car.
In cases like that, I find that the Universe nudges me a few times first. It might start off with a flat tire, then a parking ticket, then a door ding at the grocery store. The Universe is trying to get my attention. If I don't take notice, it just may shout louder next time.
For us, this works so much better than resolutions. You don't have to resolve to do anything. You just have to be willing to allow the energy that this One Word represents into your life, and recognize it when it shows up.
Even if we don't have a lot of time to sit together and make detailed plans, we can always find time to discuss our One Word. We can talk over dinner, while washing dishes or driving in the car. We might come up with a few words and try to find a common theme. Or we may think about them separately, then compare notes the next time we're together.
If you decide to give this a go, keep in mind that whatever your One Word is, you're not locked into it. If, half way through the year, the word you chose doesn't seem to fit anymore, change it or redefine it. Your One Word is only meant to help you to focus more clearly.
For 2011, our One Word is Prosperity. What is yours?
