I Don’t Have A Word For 2014. Or Do I?

So a new business year ahead of me and already I’m feeling a little pressure.  I’m supposed to have a “word” for the year, a content calendar complete and top goals.  Well, this year is different.

I had a word for 2011 and 2012, trust and faith, respectively.  I was focused on trust and faith that I would receive the strength and courage I needed to go on my first international mission trip, which ended up being 3 trips within 18 months and organizing an annual women’s trip that I co-lead!  Then last year, professionally, I was on fire for developing the Vend Raleigh Business Directory.  I invested in myself as a business leader and hired a life/biz coach and I invested in a reliable website designer to help me create the website.  I was passionate and purposeful.  Meanwhile, in my personal life, I stretched my mission work to Uganda, Africa.  So this year, I mean, where do I go from here?  I feel like the past several years have been huge! I don’t have that awesome marketable “one word” for 2014, nor do I have a specific goal for 2014. I I was feeling some pressure, unneeded pressure, until I saw this post from Gaye Esser of Redefine Balance, then I and felt FREEDOM!  

I hope 2014 brings amazing things to each of you! Be all that you are meant to be! Own all of who you are and create everything you want and deserve in your life. 
Finish the following sentence with positive affirmations to get you started on a great 2014. 
I AM …………….
Amazing
Thoughtful
Kind
Love
Etc.

You get the idea- now add in your special words. Own what you are this year instead of beating yourself up for what you are not.
Happy 2014!!

Thank you, Gaye, for showing me I don’t need one word.  I’ve got so many things going on professionally and personally, one word can’t do it this year, nor can one single goal.  I’m going to call that being in a successful place. After several years of stretching and challenging myself, I’m going to live and produce within some great working atmospheres I’ve already created.

Here are some thoughts about how I will approach this promising new year-

• I won’t do anything for the sole reason that I ‘think’ people expect me to do it.  Total waste of time, who can guess what others expect. I’ll do it if it feels right for me and for those around me.
• I’ll rest better in the truth I already know, there are only 24 hours in a day. 
• Professionally, I’ll do more face to face.  That energizes me, motivates me, and that’s where I work best.
• Personally, I’ve been praying for a particular opportunity which is coming to realization. I think I’ll pray a little bolder this year.
• Honoring family and work by prioritizing and scheduling appropriately.

Here’s what’s funny to me.  The thought that I didn’t have a word for the year, and then I used the word freedom in all caps above, and when I read the points of how I will approach the new year, each point gives me…freedom. There is freedom in being more mature, knowing yourself (your personal self and your work self ) better and having worked hard where now I can live and work in ways that have proven to suit me and those I serve best. 

As I type this, I realize this isn’t earth shattering.  I mean, I have some amazing things planned for the year that I could tell you all about, but this post isn’t about those details. This post is about processing and preparing for the year. And maybe one or two of you need to hear what I am saying, just like I needed to read Gaye’s post.

If you need a little more inspiration to create a “New Year Plan”, All Women Stalk posted  an interesting article, 7 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO BE HAPPY …  If you can get past the 20 somethings jumping in their underwear image and the general overuse of the word “happy”, there are some great questions to help you identify where you are spending your time, what you are telling yourself, what’s working best for your life, etc.

So here’s to a successful, creative, exciting 2014- no matter how planned you think you are or aren’t!

Cary Heise
Founder of Vend Raleigh
Stay at Home Rock Star
Social Butterflies NC

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Cary Heise

Founder and Director at Designed For Joy

Cary is the founder and director of Designed For Joy, a transitional work experience for women coming from trafficking, homelessness, time in prison, overcoming addiction or other vulnerable situations. DFJ provides living wage work hours while building confidence and refreshing resumes. We are launching equipped women into the marketplace.

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