It’s 2020 and time to think about my One Little Word (OLW). I’ve been musing about my OLW for this year and whether or not I should even try to find one. Wouldn’t it be better if my OLW found me? That has never happened before though I’ve read of it happening to others. Why not me? I had almost decided not to choose a OLW because while I see the power in having a word to guide my year, I haven’t been very successful at keeping it front and centre past January. So, if it hasn’t helped in the past why even bother? But at last night’s #TeachWrite monthly chat it came to me almost as in a lightening flash, but without the drama I associate with lightening, ie thunder and chaos. LOL!

It turns out my OLW is two-pronged: balance and completion.

Balance because I’ve been slighting my personal life by favoring my professional life. Looking busy, but accomplishing little. So, something is wrong. I’ve known that for a long time, but I haven’t taken any significant action to right this situation. I’ve just been plugging along hoping that something that I am doing will be the golden ticket to get me where I want to go professionally. Instead, I’ve neglected my relationships with others and have worn myself out by staying busy while procrastinating on the important things. I’m not looking for a 50-50 balance; I don’t think that’s possible. Some days I will give more to one aspect of my life than to the other, but it will be intentional, planned and purposeful. And, I will announce that’s what I’m doing. Then, I can be mindful with the time I spend with friends and family, especially with family. I think in order for me to achieve this balance, I need to schedule it. I know that sounds crazy, but I’m finding it’s the best way to go. It will keep me honest and accountable to myself and to those I love.

Completion – This is the year for me to complete a couple of projects that I’ve been dreaming about, but taken very little action on. Procrastinating is more like it. This year if I say I’m going to do something, like daily writing, then I will not only commit to doing it but I will show up to the party and be an active participant. Of course, I will cut myself some slack if I miss a day here or there; I don’t want to add to my overwhelm.

Today I was reminded that our primitive brain is always trying to keep us safe; it is doing the job it was designed to do. On the other hand, the prefrontal cortex wants us to progress; it has our long term interests in mind. If I don’t act quickly, five seconds apparently, I will retreat to a safe place and get nothing accomplished. At the same time, I will blame my lack of progress on everyone and everything else. Yet, it’s within my power to surge forward. And, this year that’s what I aim to do. I owe it to myself and to my family.

Now that I have embraced balance-completion, I will set intentional plans for each month of the year to guide me in achieving my goals. Although well-articulated goals and plans have not been my forte in the past, I intend to make a clean slate and figure this out once and for all. Being specific and realistic will help me in 2020.

Cross posted to Two Writing Teachers SOL Tuesday Challenge