Your 2023 in just three words...
How to shape your vision, goals and plans so you can thrive next year
“Life, like a poem, is a series of choices.”
Maggie Smith, poet.
And it’s also a choice of words. Words that shape your world view. Your intentions. And your actions.
No funny gifs this issue. Ok, just the one, based on my complete and all-consuming love for The White Lotus…
Now let’s get serious.
Years ago, I learnt this technique for planning the year ahead and focusing where I would prioritise my time and my energy. It’s simple. Just pick three words.
Three words or very short phrases that sum up what you want out of the year ahead. They don’t have to mean anything to anyone but you. They’re your words.
For example, two years ago, one of my words was “Pockets”. No, I’m not a seamstress. I don’t harbour any desire to go on The Great British Sewing Bee. And i can’t work a sewing machine to save my life.
Pockets for me meant “pockets of time” where I could start to explore new things and new business ideas alongside the challenges of a full-time job and family life. The word freed me from the notion that I had to have a perfectly open day to dream, plan and implement. That was the dream but it wasn’t my reality.
“Pockets” let me find 20 minutes between work meetings, or in that weird time between finishing work and eating dinner when the only thing on TV is the news or a one of those quiz shows that makes you question your life choices. In those minutes, I could start to make in-roads on my plans, bit by bit. Cumulatively, those minutes built up and those plans came together.
So over the Christmas break, try finding your three words for 2023. Think about what’s meaningful to you and you alone. What will resonate most as you approach the new year? And what will speak to you and encourage action and momentum as a leader or just as a human?
Ideally, these words should be freeing. Not constricting. For me, “pockets” freed me from thinking I had to have the perfect conditions under which to plan a new career. And enabled me to put the work in anyway, bit by bit.
I’m still mulling my words for 2023 - but will share in the new year!
What will you leave behind in 2022?
Here’s another great reflective exercise if you have a moment over the holidays.
What will you leave behind in 2022? What people, things, ideas, constructs, systems, no longer serve you going forward?
For me, 2022 has been about recovery from a looming burn out and exploration of new ideas. A lot of it’s been great. Some of it has been painful. And some of it has run its course.
So for next year, I’m letting go of a lot of that baggage. Our house is being decluttered step by step and my emotional energy is about letting go of unhelpful ideas or people that may be holding me back.
I have an allotment and a good way to describe this year for me is the “fallow” year - I’ve rested and reflected in order to move forward into growth.
I’m now refocusing what my career means as I plan for its second half and leaning into what I know, what I love and what i’m best at - the Japanese approach of Ikigai.
The art of reflection is a powerful leadership quality and one that many of our best leaders have in spades. You’ll recognise who has it and who doesn’t in the leaders around you. (Here’s a tip - if it’s always a one-way conversation between you and a leader and you’re not the one talking, that’s a good leading indicator!)
My leader of the year
In honour of my daughter, I’m going with the Lioness herself, Jill Scott. We really enjoyed I’m A Celeb this year and her absolute fave was Jill. (When she wasn’t worrying about whether Owen was eating enough…)
Humble, generous, self-effacing and with a natural gift for engaging everyone around her, Jill showed that leadership isn’t about stereotypical shouty or forceful behaviours, but that it can be more effective when delivered authentically and with integrity. (I particularly loved her approach to Matt Hancock, her subtle jokes shone a light on the issues better than any rant delivered to camera).
As for my non-leader of the year? Well sadly, you can take your pick… But let’s dwell on the positive as we think ahead!
And finally…
Your coaching prompt for over the holiday break. The Christmas holidays can be wonderful and challenging, all at the same time. So think about this.
“What can I let go of for the moment, so that I can enjoy the moment?”
This may be work stress or nerves, family tensions or financial worries. Or something else completely. This isn’t about forgetting or sidelining important issues. But reflecting on whether you need to think about these things in every moment, and how it might make you feel to put them to one side just momentarily until you’re ready to take them up again after time spent with loved ones.
I wish you a happy and healthy festive period and i’ll be back in the new year, but there may be some changes! I’ve been following my own advice and thinking about the concept of Ikigai a lot, so stay tuned…
You can find me on LinkedIn, on Twitter and at my website: www.narrativepurpose.com where I offer communications consultancy and leadership coaching to individuals, organisations and creative agencies.
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