Structures #77
©2007 Lisa Call
17″ x 17.5″
Textile Painting (Fabric hand dyed by the artist, cotton batting, cotton thread)
Construct
Last year I selected the word construct as the word to guide me through the year.
In my writing about this word choice last January I said the following:
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.
And that is exactly what the year turned out to be. Establishing a solid foundation.
I created a new website for my artwork and I established systems to simplify my art business.
On the personal side, I joined a yoga studio, found an acupuncturist covered by my insurance so I can get treatments multiple times a month, I worked with a therapist all aimed toward building sustainable daily habits to support my busy life.
I listed 100 Accomplishments for 2010 the other day, and many of those speak to my work on the foundation of my life and business.
Joy for the Decade
The other word I selected last year was Joy. As it speaks to the bare essentials of what I want to be: happy.
This is my word for the entire decade (which I guess officially started this year so I’ll get to use the word for 11 years not 10).
Or maybe I’ll keep it for the rest of my life because it is a good word. I thought of it often last year.
Spending time with friends and family, laughing (lots), fabulous dinners, yoga (which can be hard but always brings me joy by the end), cultural events, helping others, writing, creating art – all of these and more bring me joy.
On Picking a Word of the Year
I started picking words a few years back and I love the idea of having a theme for the year. When I started this practice I stopped writing goals for my year. I let the words be the guide for the goals.
I suppose that was some sort of attempted at spiritual floaty-ness or something. No goals. How enlightened of me.
And while I did have some excellent years, something was missing:
– In 2008 I picked courage. I sold my house and bought a new one, not a lot of art though as it’s hard to make art without a working studio.
– In 2009 I went with expansion and integrity - I expanded my house with a huge remodel, went to Africa and did have a year of integrity, but again, not as much art as I’d like.
– In 2010 – construct - yep – lots of work on the foundation of my art business, but I averaged just 10 hours a week in my studio, which sounds good as an average but well over 1/2 of those hours were in the first 2 months of the year preparing for my solo show. So when I look at the details, er, not so much art.
So overall – I didn’t spent as much time in my studio the last 3 years as I used to (I was pretty consistent at hitting 20 hours a week previously).
So the last few days I’ve been thinking about what’s missing? Why has the word of the year idea spoiled a bit in my mind?
My answer: Goals. The last time I set goals for the year was in 2007. I want specific measurable goals again, not just some floaty themes to guide me.
I don’t regret the past years, but I’m ready to step things up in my business and for that to happen I feel I need to get more specific in the direction I want to go.
Being
Thinking about the type of word I’ve selected for each year I’ve picked:
Courage – a being word
Expansion – a doing word
Integrity – a being word
Construct – a doing word
Joy – a being word
I believe I tried to wrap up my goals into the doing words without being specific, and it didn’t really work.
What really appeals to me about the word of the year idea are the being words. Words that speak to how I want to do things, not the things themselves.
Having courage as my year in 2008 was incredible. I did some amazing things with that being word guiding me.
I love having the word joy as my constant companion and integrity helped me focus on being authentic.
With these thoughts, I’ve clarified how I will move forward with my planning for the coming years: I will pick a being word as my word of the year and write specific measurable goals for the actions I’d like to take. The being word will help guide my actions.
Tomorrow I’ll share the word I’ve picked for 2011 and after that I’ll write about my goals for 2011.
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{ 11 comments }
Excellent post! I love this idea of a word or “intention” for each year. If you don’t mind I think I am going to try this out for this year and explore the very thing on my reflection post on my blog that I am way behind with. I also like a few others ideas of picking 5 focus areas for the coming year and listing a few aspects under each that you might like to work toward. I am thinking that a combination of these two ideas might work for me. Thanks for your insight and sharing.
Diane – Yes – absolutely – picking a word of the year is a wonderful thing.
I’ll be posting my goals in the next few days and they are focused a few different areas, similar to what you describe.
Sounds like we are on the same track!
Hello,
I’ve just recently discovered you! Anyway, I have done used this technique in the past and it can be awesome. Especially when things aren’t going so well. That one simple word can be like a mantra, a prayer, a small tidbit to hold on to!
Excellent post. And thanks for the distinction of the doing and being. That is HUGE!
Mary,
Yes – somehow it was a huge Ah-Ha moment for me to get the different between being and doing for these words.
I like that, the word as a mantra….
Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa. I’ve never had a “word of the year.” Perhaps it’s time. Will think about that the next few days. If I write about it in my blog, I’ll link to yours as well.
I trust you will find yourself the perfect word Sue.
I love words of the year and such suspense to wonder what your word will be??!! I think even just blogging about it, or confessing your word, makes you accountable for it. Especially when you do these yearly reflections and share them with the world. Good luck with your word! and setting your goals. I go more for a title in my yearly focus. Last year I was ‘Mountaineer’ – I climbed so high..this year i’m ‘Cave-Dweller’ lol…!!
best wishes to 2011
Cave-Dweller – ha. Very intriguing. I feel that sometimes I need to stay home and get things done. Cave dweller would be the perfect thought there.
And, yes, I’m with you on believing that telling the world about my word makes me accountable for it so I make it happen.
I like the word of the year intent approach over resolutions. However I think goals are important and keep us accountable. This year I taped my words (which have both a quality of being and doing – love and prosper – ) on my monitor so I won’t forget. I don’t remember what I chose last year. I think it was something like leap or jump, which I did big time.
What you do and still work full-time is pretty awesome, in my estimation.
Your words are fabulous Sue. You reminded me that I’ve always put my words on index cards and put them on my wall. I think I didn’t do it last year but I’m going to go do it for this year right now.
Wow, once again you amaze me with your clarity and intention.
As you know I shared my goals on Alyson Stanfield’s terrific Artist Conspiracy project. I roughly paraphrased some of what you had written there because the structure you demonstrated worked perfectly for me. The purposefulness of your goals and word for the year are SO inspiring.
Thanks so much for sharing even more of your process!
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