Constructing 2010
A Word not a Resolution
A few years ago I read about Christine Kane’s idea of picking a word for the year instead of making resolutions. As I was never a big resolution fan this worked for me.
I was more into predictions. In 1999 I asked my kids their predictions for the year. Their answers: 7 year old son: “I’ll be in boy scouts”, 3 year old daughter: “French fries and hamburger. Go to McDonalds and eat in the car. No, I want chicken nugget fingers”.
I predicted I’d get the house organized (hm – that kinda sounds like a resolution). Either way it didn’t happen. Although my daughter might have gotten a burger but my son lasted only a few months in scouts before quitting.
So this word thing sounds good to me. I’m a big fan of boiling things down to a simple concept as the resolution wasn’t working very well.
In 2008 I selected courage and made some huge changes in my life, in 2009 I went with expansion and integrity and it brought more amazing things into my life.
A New Decade
Every year I want to pick the same word, Joy, because when I boil down my intentions to my most basic desire, all I really want is to be happy. Blissfully, joyously happy.
Yet I never pick this word as I am a 3 on the enneagram (a personality indicator kinda like a myers briggs but maybe more spiritual – I find them both interesting – btw – I’m an INTJ).
As to the enneagram – the 3s – we are the achievers. We get stuff done. We get a lot of stuff done. And sitting around laughing is great but it doesn’t cross anything off the todo list.
I pass by Joy every year with a bit of longing. No more. I’m declaring the 10s as my decade for Joy. So in everything I do, I am intending joy. And much blissfulness and smiling.
I might pick it as my word of the decade for the 2020s too, if things go well the next 10 years.
Moving Forward in 2010
As I think about 2010 and my plans I can see big ideas. Huge exciting things in my head that I want to do.
I also see some things in both my professional and personal life that need a bit of work on the ground level so I can grow in a sustainable way.
My intention is to put a lot of focus on the foundations of my art business, such as my website, inventory, image storage, etc. All the systems that keep it running smoothly.
Ditto for my personal life. I want to look at my habits and beliefs and focus on making sure the foundation is solid. I’m at the beginning of a new relationship and establishing a healthy base is key.
Yet I don’t want to just muck around on the systems and get stuck in the basement. I have big ideas for how to grow all parts of my life in new and exciting ways. I intend to find joy by doing new fun stuff, not just working on the basics.
With that in mind, my word for 2010 is Construct.
Yes – definitely a ‘getting things done’ 3 kinda word.
It reminds me of my home construction project – the importance of the solid foundation but also the fun of framing the big new studio.
2010 is going to be yet another fabulous year.
What’s your word of the year? If you wrote a blog post about it please link to it in the comments – I’d love to read about what everyone is intending.
Posted by Lisa in: Being an Artist
Tagged: Christine Kane, construct, goals, Joy, resolutions, word of the year
Great word, Lisa, and with your passion and can-do attitude, it will be fun to watch you “construct” throughout the year! As always, it (and you) will be inspiring to watch as the year unfolds!
I blogged about my word-of-the-year here – http://paintedthoughtsblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-new-day-and-new-beginnings.html.
I find that I am challenged by setting goals to support where I want to go as my path is not clear, the dream not quite defined. Any thoughts on this conundrum??
Lisa! I love both your word for the year as well as the year for the decade! I’ve actually started to expand how I discuss my creation process on my blog by talking about what brings me “Joy”!
I too hate resolution, and last year, after YOUR post on your word of the year, I decided I would have an “inclination”. So THRILLED was I with the results of this inclination, that I’ve got 2 of those for this year, and I’ve also added a word of the year – SIMPLIFY – that ought to help me get those inclinations done!
More here:
http://www.candiedfabrics.com/2010/01/01/looking-ahead-long-term-goals/
Thanks for the inspiration – and on to a JOYFUL decade!
I too am an INTJ, Lisa, so I appreciate your choice of “construct.” I went in a different direction this year. My words (I couldn’t narrow it down just to one) are gratitude, clarity, and serenity. Because I tend to be a perfectionist, I spend much too much time focusing on the things that need to fixed and improved. I want to start a practice of emphasizing the many things I have to be grateful for. 2009 was a challenging year for me, but there were many blessings, and those are the things I want to focus on in 2010.
Like Laure, my path — particularly my creative path — is not clear. I’d like to achieve some clarity about this and have several goals that I hope will move me forward. Serenity for me is a state of mind that includes both my physical and mental health as well as the quality of my physical environment, so I have a few plans for those as well.
It’s good, too, that these three “intentions” leverage each other nicely. I’m looking forward to the new year.
Hi Lisa,
I actually chose two words for this year. The first one is pathway; there are a few areas in my life that have been stuck for a while and I have been unclear what the next steps in making progress are. My intention this year is to find the way or pathway to moving them in a meaningful way.
My second word is dare. I intend to end the year with no regrets about what I didn’t do.
Whoohoo 2010!
My word for the year is “prolific.” For me that means making lots and lots of art!
I integrated it into my visual planbook for 2010, which I blogged about here:
http://barbarajcarter.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/art-inspiration-booklet-for-2010/
Laure (or anyone else unsure about your choices), how about choosing a word like “clarity” to help you figure out your direction?
I’m warming up to the whole word idea this year. I’m thinking “Quality.” I’d like to improve the quality of my work, and strive to make quality decisions in my life. I’d like to lead a quality life as well — not an expensive things kind of quality, but a contributing rather than taking away, good and honorable kind of quality.
I wrote two posts – one as an early reflection and a second confirming.
http://idahobeautyquilts.blogspot.com/2009/12/early-reflections.html
http://idahobeautyquilts.blogspot.com/2010/01/beginning-of-new-year.html
This is my third year of choosing a resolution word, and each new year builds on the last. The previous words are still valid and useful – it’s just such a confirming way to get one’s life in hand.
So I am working with freedom (2008), calm (2009), and focus with embrace as a secondary word for 2010. Sometimes you just can’t pick one!
Love it, Lisa! I’ve no doubt at all you’ll get a lot of mileage out of your word this year. :-)
I tried the Word theme for the first time, last year. I set some big goals and one of them had me rather nervous – so my word was Commit. It’s amazing what you can bring about when you keep your one-word at the forefront throughout the year!
It worked so well I’m setting another for this year – GROW. I’ve explained both in my blog which I am determined to resurrect: http://featherlady.blogspot.com/2010/01/starting-off-with-2010.html
You inspired me to theme this decade, too – mine, like yours, is one that I’ve pushed aside but also how I most wish to live life. My word is Adventure. Roll on 2010!
I’d love to read about what everyone is intending..leverage each other nicely. I’m looking forward of it.
Hi Lisa,
I had been pondering how I was going to tackle the new year’s resolutions this year b/c last year was only halfway successful. So this year I decided to try using a defining word or words to give me direction.
So I am now going for it and selected two words: growth & inquiry. I wrote about it here http://elizabethfloydstudio.blogspot.com/2010/01/what-direction-to-take-in-2010.html
Thanks for sharing this idea and showing that it does work! Liz