One Little Word | Proactive

Last year I saw a lot of people picking a word to help them focus their actions and intentions for the year. It was interesting watching as the year revealed itself and I noticed that those that maintained their focus on their word had such a great year, regardless of the ups and downs. In December I was reminded of One Little Word and I was struck by the notion of picking my own word.

I’ve felt a little directionless and being blown by the winds as we rounded out the end of 2015. I worked hard throughout the year pursuing my plans and goals. I achieved so much, and I’m proud of what I accomplished, the fears I overcame and the lessons that I learned. Despite how much I did and the amazing opportunities I was able to embrace I still felt that I ended the year being reactive and not the master of my own fate.

2015 was a massive pivot for our family. My returning to work impacted our family in ways that we hadn’t been able to fully foresee when we made the decision. I’m lucky to work in an environment that is very (very) supportive of my outside endeavours and that’s a massive blessing and not something I take for granted. I’ve felt like I haven’t been the greatest employee because of the demands my passion. I’d like to change that, or at least reduce that.

When my word came to me I knew it would be my partner for 2016. I spent time thinking about what it meant to me and what feelings it evokes for me. I walked around with it for awhile before I fully committed to it. It’s not the sexiest sounding word (isn’t their a fibre supplement or butt cream called Proactive?) and it’s not something that rolls off the tongue easily, but for me it encompasses the hopes I have for 2016 perfectly.

To me this word brings up feelings of movement, moving forward, taking control, defining your own path. It’s about creating your destiny. It’s about choosing what you do with your time. It’s about replacing bad habits (like procrastinating) with new habits, positive habits. It’s all the things that I felt I lacked (to some degree in 2015).

I chased my dreams hard in 2015 and in that chase I lost focus on some of the things that are important to me. I turned the thing that I did in my spare time to relax and express myself into work. Sure, the work is different to working for the man, but it’s still work and that means that I’m often doing this thing that I loved when I don’t want to. That’s a hard transition to make.

As well as taking my hobby (sewing) and turning it into my business, I took my blog (the place I came to comment on my world and get things out of my system) into a business. With that decision a few things about my blog that I enjoyed ceased to feel relevant to my “audience”. It’s a decision that hasn’t sat well with me. I feel myself selectively sharing more than I used to and I miss the freedom and cathartic release that my blog used to provide.

I toyed with making my word balance because I feel like it’s going to be a big driver for my decisions in 2016, but it didn’t cover everything that I wanted my word to. I believe being proactive, actively choosing, is fundamental to me returning some balance to my world. This is going to mean more to me then people looking on, but there’s going to be some subtle shifts in my online presence. Some things will remain, some will continue to evolve and some will return while others are discarded.

I’m really excited about 2016. I know it’s going to be filled with ups and downs that none of us will be able to predict. I know there’s going to be times when I’ll question my decisions, but all-in-all I’m really stoked to be blessed in having another go around the sun.

I’ve signed up to do the One Little Word year long class and I’m going to share my thoughts and homework over the year; both because I like the accountability but also because at it’s core that’s what this space used to be about.

If you have a word for 2016 I’d love to hear it. If you’re doing the class, let me know so we can compare homework. If you’re wondering if this is for you I highly recommend taking the leap.