“Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!”
These words, by one of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, remind us of our uniqueness. My wish for each of us this year is to become more fully ourselves. May we combine our gifts and talents, with our life history and experiences, to develop completely into ‘one-of-a-kind’ people.
So, I ask you…who are you today? And who do you want to be tomorrow?
What will it take you to get there?
What will you include, or exclude, to help you move in the direction of your dreams?
I have found that using a theme word for the year is a helpful tool to guide my growth. I highly recommend it for those seeking new perspectives and direction in their work, and lives overall.
The three step process outlined in the book One Word to Change Your Life tells us how to receive a word that God (or whatever you call that Spirit which is bigger than us) intends for our growth. The process is simple, yet important to follow because this is not about picking a good word. It’s about receiving a God word.
The first step is to prepare your heart and look within. It takes self-discipline to be quiet and still in order to ask yourself three key questions:
What do I need? Not what do I want, but truly what do I need?
What’s in my way? In other words, what’s blocking me?
What needs to go? What do I need to release in order to move forward?
The second step is to look up. Prayerfully ask God, “What do you want to do in me and through me?” and then be open and pay attention to the answer. The word that surfaces may not be what you expect. Your mind may, in fact, reject it but if your heart and soul know it is your word, then go with it, even if it doesn’t make sense initially. Try to be curious about the word you receive.
The third step is to look out and live with your word…for an entire year. It’s important to stick with it because there will are lessons to be learned from living with it day in and day out….through both easy and challenging times.
My first word was BELIEVE and I found it very easy to identify all that I believed in…faith, love, honesty, kindness…the list went on and on. Midway through the year, however, I started to see my unbelief, those times when I felt weak, vulnerable, and insecure. It was uncomfortable to realize the person I didn’t fully believe in was me. My word helped me recognize how self-doubt hobbles me at times and to find the antidote in faith. When I feel weak and unable to go on, God provides the people and resources that I need. The more I look for that provision the more I see it, again and again.
This past year my word was FOUND. This word helped me identify the actions, solutions, thoughts, and approaches that serve me best, and to release those that don’t. Now I more consistently rely on what I have found to be true and spend less time being lost and confused. I know where the source of my inner strength lies and encourage others to find their sources through strengths coaching and my book Lost and Found: Discovering Strength in Love and Faith. FOUND has, indeed, been a relevant word for me in 2014.
As 2015 begins I am going through the process again to discover my theme word for the year ahead. Will you join me?
If you are looking for more direction and focus then I recommend this One Word process which is outlined in further detail in the book One Word to Change Your Life by Gordon, Britton, and Page. Once you’ve received your Word, be sure to share it with your Stretch Team to maintain your momentum throughout the year.
Ladies, do you need a Stretch Team? If so, we warmly invite you to join the Wholistic Woman Community’s One Word Evening Retreat on January 27th from 5:30-7:00 pm. This will be the kickoff for a series of ‘Be You’ evening retreats throughout 2015. Each event will have time for you to connect with other women-on-the-grow and to receive enriching information that will support and guide your personal and professional growth this year. These programs are designed to help you be the best that you can be.
During the ‘Be You’ kick-off on January 27th, we will focus on One Word so bring your word for 2015 with you (or whatever words you are considering). We will enjoy an interactive evening program of stories and creativity as we affirm the words that have been given to us for the year ahead.
You’re invited to join us for all 8 of the ‘Be You’ evening retreats throughout 2015 in order to stay connected with your Stretch Team and make the most of your One Word. You can become a member of the community to receive discounts on all our events and the opportunity to receive one ‘Be You’ retreat for free. Click here to see details about the ‘Be You’ Evening Retreats and to register for one or all eight.
Fellas, do you need a Stretch Team? Contact Carol to discuss options to maintain your momentum with your One Word throughout the year.
Friends, this is a fresh new year with limitless possibilities for you to be your best self. You are a work-in-progress, just as we all are, and that progress continues in 2015. I feel blessed to be a part of your growth. Please join me on this journey in whatever way feels right for you.
As Oscar Wilde said, “Be yourself, everybody else is already taken.”
May this be a year of reflection, discovery, and growth as you seek to be, more fully, You!
Carol deLaski, PCC, is an author and strengths-based coach who guides individuals and businesses to be their best. For more information about her coaching services, and her book Lost and Found, visit www.caroldelaski.com or email her at [email protected]
