Author, entrepreneur, and social media guru, Chris Brogan, developed a habit of picking three words each year to focus his efforts and energies. I’m a little late in the game here and you might be too, but it doesn’t hurt to take a little time, think about your year and choose three words that–at least for the moment–provide you with a sense of focus and purpose for the year ahead. It is certainly something you could try for Lent as well.
Here are my three words for 2013. Below that you can find links to other people who have participated in this practice. Read through the examples and use them as models for choosing your own three words.
My 3 Words for 2013
First of all, let me say that this was hard to do. There are a lot of words that get me excited for 2013. Better yet, there are a lot of words that scare me. Rather than going the passion route, I’m going to experiment with a much scarier path, looking in directions that lead me to hold back.
VULNERABILITY — I will fearlessly be myself. I will write what scares me…and give it to others. I will look for the fears, shame, nakedness, and self-doubt in my life and use them as a compass. I will step out of my comfort zone and take chances. I will not hide behind a brand or a logo.
CONNECTION — I will seek to know others more deeply. I will accept and overcome the risk of rejection. I will offer help. I will use social media to connect with individuals, not groups. I will be vulnerable. I will be generous. I will be grateful.
PRESENCE — I will be present to the people around me. I will be mindful of the task at hand. I will not live in worry and anticipation of the future. I will think of productivity, not as getting more done, but getting more focus. I will be grateful.
Other Examples of 3 Words for the Year
3 Words Postscript
I almost picked something very easy. I almost went with PRACTICAL. This would be easy. I live and breath practical in everything I do. It is a core principle of my work at The Religion Teacher. The word was in almost every endorsement for my new book. But that would have been easy.
I’ve mastered that word. I can proudly say that. I’ll live it no matter what.
These three words above are challenging. They scare me. They make me uncomfortable. They make me want to choose something else. In opposition to them, there is a part of me that I want to hold on to and not let go. This is what holds us all back. Look for that feeling. That feeling of holding on to something–of not losing something we hold dear. Go with that gut feeling.
