How to Set Goals – To Create the Best Year

For New Year’s Eve 2011, Jeremy and I sat down and made our goals for the year. We made sure the goals were measurable, challenging, and lead us in the direction we wanted to go. After all, the experts say to set SMART goals. As diligent students, we complied.

Well, I accidentally opened up this document last week, for the first time since we created it (more than a year ago). I had completely forgotten about it. Reading through every line of the document, I felt a surge of guilt and disappointment.

You know that feeling in your stomach, almost ashamed that nothing on the list—of supposedly important items—were achieved. I didn’t end the year with 30K facebook fans, I didn’t do yoga everyday (In fact, not even once for the whole year), I didn’t become an early riser, and my living & working space is still messy.

In the same document, I looked up my husband’s list and email his weight training goals asking where he is compared to those targets. He replied with, “I was stronger when I set those goals than I am now.” I sensed disappointment in his words and instantly regretted sending him such a gloomy reminder.

And then I was thinking, isn’t this what we do to ourselves every year? We either set no goals or too many goals. If we fail to set goals, we’ll torture ourselves for feeling like a failure, because we have no goals. And if we do set goals, we’ll torture ourselves for feeling like a failure for not accomplishing the goals.

Year after year, we set long list of goals (if we actually set them) with arbitrary quantities to mark as targets. Then feeling disappointed when we review these goals some time down the road. We create the suffering. We bring it on to ourselves.

Let’s find a new way of setting goals and creating New Year resolutions that will actually make us feel good, and will actually help us.

Problem with Goals & Resolutions

Before diving into a better solution, let’s review some inherit problem with setting a bucket list of goals and why New Year resolutions doesn’t work.

1. Lack of Focus

Too many goals make it impossible to focus on any one.

The more diffused our awareness become the harder it is to focus. Without focus, we cannot achieve or produce or create anything.

Having too many things to focus on leaves us feeling overwhelmed and uncertain as to where we shall begin. Our brain, which naturally seeks the path of least resistance, will want to shut down, and will unconsciously start to avoid the goals all together.

For example, my goals for TSN last year (one of many categories) was the following list of random targets:

1,000,000 monthly pageviews
30,000 facebook fans
30,000 rss subscribers
Community features

I had completely forgotten about this list and thus failed to focus on any one item. My brain had gone into shutdown mode. There are simply too many things to focus on.

2. It’s Easy to Focus on Failure

We tend to focus on what we didn’t do than what we did do. When reviewing our goals, our eyes and hearts will gravitate towards all the things we didn’t do, and then we feel bad.

This is the problem with a list of any kind–even to-do lists. It’s far too easy to undervalue and thus fail to celebrate our achievements, because it’s just one item out of a long list of uncrossed, unachieved goals. When we review our goals and achievements in list form, it creates the illusion that we have failed, when in reality, we achieved all that we needed to do.

In my personal example, 2011 was one of the most transformative years of my life. I overcame my limited beliefs about money and had freed myself of the painful belief (from childhood) that “I didn’t deserve good things.” which significantly limited my ability to receive. My relationship with Jeremy became closer, as we had envisioned from our couple’s goal.

TSN‘s traffic have more than doubled compared to a year ago, and continues to grow. Additionally, we added more websites into our “Simple Life” network, and collectively exceeded over 6 million impressions each month. Almost overnight, our hobby sites became a business.

That’s a lot of blessing that deserves celebrating. But somehow, when reviewing my bucket list of goals from last New Year, I had forgotten about all the good that’s happened. Now I realized, I’m not such a failure. I’ve actually won. I’ve done all that I needed to do, and everything is as they should be. Everything is perfect just as it is.

3. We Experience Guilt

Since it’s so easy for us to notice and thus focus on what we’ve failed to achieve, we experience guilt, regret, and even shame. We forget that, after all, our list of goals is just an arbitrary list of “shoulds”.

No amount of guilt or disappointment will change the past. It becomes wasted energy that could be better spent elsewhere.

Big lists and many goals can make us feel bad, unnecessarily.

4. Failure to Review

Unless we review the goals regularly, we won’t make any progress. This is because our short term memory is limited to just a few bits of information.

We can keep track of one goal continuously. We cannot, however, keep track of 10 goals without reviewing it regularly. Our short term memory simply doesn’t have that kind of capacity.

I read somewhere that our short term memory can hold 5 (+/-) 2 pieces of information at a time. That means between 3 to 7 pieces of data (by the way, this is why phone numbers are 7 digits long broken up into 3 to 4 digit chunks).

5. Lack of Meaning

Sometimes, we set goals for the sake of setting goals. “It’s time to set goals!” we tell ourselves, and ends up doing a brain-dump of everything we’ve ever wanted. This usually includes an exhaustive list of things we think we should be doing, and things we think will make us happy.

And then we learn from productivity experts that we should set goals that are measurable (I know, I’ve been guilty of this), so we randomly invent a number and attach it as our target. As trivial as this may seem, this little number has the power to make us feel bad when we haven’t reached it at year’s end.

But the number is meaningless. It’s unimportant to us.

What we want is not the number, but rather to feel successful, attractive, happy, and fulfilled. And we think that if we reached this arbitrary target, then we will experience those positive emotions.

As time goes by, we start to forget why we set the goals to begin with. We forget why they were important. They become just another item written down on a list (that we don’t look at again).

When we forget why, it’s hard to feel motivated and inspired to take action on them. When we have many goals (ie. more than one goal), it’s easy to forget why.

A New Approach to Goals

how to set goals
Photo by Cari Wayman

Instead of setting a list of goals at the start of each year, I want to promote a new tradition: Setting a one-word theme for the year. I got this idea from Mari Smith. And it’s a powerful one.

You can remember one word throughout the year. It’s easy to think about and focus on just one theme. It’s also a lot easier to take action and make progress towards this one theme. Having one theme also makes it possible to set realistic follow up goals and milestones.

It’s like having a guiding light beaming in one direction (instead of several directions). All you have to do is to follow that light.

My one word theme for 2012 is Balance.

What this means to me is a general sense of personal wellness, fulfillment, and balance between work & life. It’s a feeling that cannot be objectively measured. I’ll know whether I feel balanced or not. Right now, I feel balanced (because I’ve been writing to you and all the while embodying and integrating the intention of “Balance” today).

Focusing on one word, which I have a positive association with, is so much easier and rewarding than focusing on something arbitrary like “Get 30,000 Facebook fans“. And because there is only one word, there is no struggle to recall what it is.

I think about it often, and carry the essence of it with me as I enter into each day. The result? No matter how rough or how ordinary the day is, I end the day (on most days) feeling good knowing that I had integrated the most important quality that I need into my day: Balance.

Whenever I feel like setting goals for the day, I just ask myself “What can I accomplish today that will help me feel balanced?” The answer may be tackling particular to-do items, or taking the afternoon off to play with my son, or de-cluttering the kitchen counter. I’ll do them, and will feel a great sense of inner fulfillment and wellness.

Having one theme allows me to laser focus on the one thing I need the most.

Last year, my theme was Abundance. And I entered each day with similar intentions. Suffice it to say, last year was complete magic filled with abundance in its various dances.

I also love the one word theme concept because a single word can be interpreted in several ways, thus I can always find a way to integrate the word into my day, without the heavy feeling of disappointment for not hitting a random goal.

For example, when I take care of my body–getting rest, drinking lots of water, eating well and exercising–I am living in accordance with my goal of “Balance”, because those acts promote personal wellness. As such, I feel happy from the act of taking care of my body.

On the other hand: If I had a traditional goal of say “losing 10 pounds in 30 days”, the experience will be different, because my happiness will be tied directly to the digits on a scale. Even though I exercised and ate well, I won’t feel satisfaction until a certain amount of weight loss is reflected from a scale. The former (one-word theme) approach is much more peaceful, gentle, encouraging and reinforcing.

How to Find Your Theme

Enough about me. Let’s work together to find a one-word theme for you. Okay?

When you ask yourself, “What do I want this year to be about?” you may instantly and intuitively feel an answer pop out. If not, try answer the following questions on a piece of paper (instead of just thinking about it) and see what words emerge for you:

What does your ideal life look like? What do you want? What do you want to be doing? How do you want to feel?
Complete the sentence: I want ____.
What one change can you make that will significantly improve the quality of your life experience?
If you had to pick just one thing? What do you want the most?
Does the word feel good? There are no wrong answers. What you pick is personal and meaningful to you. If it feels good, go with it.

Got it?

Don’t continue until you have your word. I’ll wait.

Using Your Theme

Once you have your one-word theme, here are some thoughts on integrating and using the word into your life.

1. Expand on the Word

One word can have many meaning. Clarify what your word means to you.

I mentioned earlier that the word Balance means (to me): a general sense of personal wellness, fulfillment and balance between work & place.

Ask yourself the following question:

What does this mean to me?

Additionally, you can dive deeper into what this picture looks like for you, by answering the following question:

What does “a life of [insert word]” look like?

When answering, write down each block of thought in bullet points, without editing. Keep writing until you have nothing else to say.

For example: for me, a life of “balance” looks like:

Consistent work schedule and productivity, from which I drawn in a sense of fulfillment.
Separation between work and home.
Being fully present with my family when I am home. Do not check work email.
Time for myself to reflect, read, write.
Taking care of my body and health.
Living and working in a clean, organized and uncluttered space.
Rising with the sun. Getting a beautiful early start to my day.
Feeling balanced and well on a daily basis.
Taking breaks. Allowing rest and play.

The more clear you can be in describing your picture, the easier it will be to further integrate the word into your experience (because you know what activities you can do to access this experience).

2. Symbolic Reminder

goals
Photo by Karrah Kobus

One trick I started doing last year and found helpful was to get a piece of jewelry that I loved, and using it as a token—a physical representation—that served as a reminder for the word.

Energy Muse had sent me this beautiful necklace last year. When I received it, I named it “Abundance” and whispered a little prayer “You will remind me of possibilities and abunance in this Universe. I thank you in advanced.”

I wore it everyday, and when I touched it or saw it in the reflection of a mirror, it reminded me that I am an abundant person living in a incredible universe filled with goodness, good people, and of infinite possibilities. It made me happy.

Additionally, I found two other sources of “conscious jewelry ” which I also love: Zen by Karen Moore (Our soul sister Cat Li Stevenson swears by the hand made jewelry lovingly made by Karen Moore) and KA Gold Spirtual Jewlery (I loved this piece, and wore it until the chain broke from my son pulling on it).

Alternatively, if you have other jewelery or pieces of token that you already love, you can use them too. The point is to have some physical reminders of your “goal” that you can carry with you, and see regularly.

3. Create Goals From Your Theme

If you completed the above exercise on clarifying what the word means to you, you’ll notice that many of the items you wrote down can be converted into mini goals that contribute towards your one-word theme.

For my personality type, I still like to work with goals on a daily basis. But now I set short-term goals that will support my theme, instead of a list of random goals that I think I should be doing.

To find these mini goals, you can either expand on your word, like the exercise proposed from #1 above, or setting goals based on answering the following question:

“What can I do to integrate [insert your word] into my life?”

Allow whatever answers to show up, and write them down without judging or editing.

Please note that these are just ideas. Nothing is set in stone. You do not have to achieve every one of these ideas in order to feel satisfied. Anyone will do the trick. The point is to create a habit of goal setting based on your theme—what’s most important to you.

4. One Goal at a Time

If you did the above exercise or creating goals based on your theme, you will have a list of goals (once again). You will get overwhelmed if you try to work on all of these at once.

Pick just one sub goal, and focus on just that. Work on this goal everyday for at least 21 days, until it’s become a habit. Once the goal is reached or becomes a habit, you can move on to the next mini goal. You may dabble in other related goals if it feels good to you, but always have one as your highest priority.

For example, I’ve just completed the small goal of “separation between home and life” by moving my office completely outside of our home and not taking work home, and I’m currently working on “rising with the sun” by developing the habits of becoming an early riser. Once I develop the waking up early habit, I will focus on de-cluttering.

5. Be Gentle On Yourself

Through out the year, you will experience days where you feel like you are moving in the opposite direction of where you want to go.

Please remember, and commit to, be gentle on yourself.

Every one of us will encounter and experience such days. It’s completely normal and expected.

When these days occur, just give yourself the permission to have “off” days. It’s okay to feel depressed, sad, off-track and cranky. This, like all days shall pass. Everything will be okay. Tomorrow is a new day.

Before You Go …

I wish you a beautiful, productive and happy year from any starting point. Not just for this year, but for all years to come.

Now, before you go, spend a minute to share with me (in the comment below) what your one-word theme is for this year?

Liked this article? If so, please share it on Facebook, RT on twitter. Follow us on facebook and twitter. Subscribe to receive email updates.

Comments

Tina Doan
Feb 06 12, 11:12 am PDT

1
I love the idea of a theme for our goals! That’s a great way to tie it all together and keep focused. Thanks for sharing.

Tina
Steve Rice

Feb 06 12, 11:22 am PDT

2
Love this post! Thank you so much for the kindness with which you shared your story. It gave me courage to be more gracious to myself.

I’m in the process of setting goals for 2012 for my own life an business. I’ve determined to use your method (or, rather, Mari’s) of determining a theme for the year.

Mine? Freedom.

Yes, I want to be successful, fulfilled and all the other “typical” things, however I want freedom. Freedom to be more myself and freedom to touch more lives and connect in more profound ways.

Powerful! I’m off to clarify and expand my definition of what freedom means.

Thanks so much for this timely insight.
Janet Moncada
Feb 06 12, 11:33 am PDT

3
Peace! Great article.
Lisa L.
Feb 06 12, 11:42 am PDT

4
This is a good reminder that new years goals are meant to have you grow as a person, so my word is growth. I want to have a distinction between who I am now and who I will be next year. Love this post!
Uma Murthy
Feb 06 12, 12:11 pm PDT

5
Productive! Thanks.
Donna Moore
Feb 06 12, 12:32 pm PDT

6
Great idea for goal setting!!! I love it!
Nishant

Feb 06 12, 12:33 pm PDT

7
Wonderful ! values towards evaluation and estimation.
Mark

Feb 06 12, 12:38 pm PDT

8
I have been consistently looking for balance in my life, but none of my past years goals have reflected that focus. Thanks Tina for bringing this to light.
Josh @ Live Well Simply

Feb 06 12, 12:52 pm PDT

9
Failure to review… that would be me. I’m great at setting goals, but making them a measurable success is the tough part.
Cat Li Stevenson

Feb 06 12, 1:22 pm PDT

10
Tina Soul Sista’ ~ What a wonderful piece!

My 2012 word is “mindfulness.” I love this simple approach … kudos to you and Mari.

P.S. I met Mari last year at the Wisdom 2.0 conference in the Bay Area. What a vibrant, beautiful woman. I’d take her advice any day :)

~ Cat
Kaylee

Feb 06 12, 2:41 pm PDT

11
I can totally relate to your 2011 goal-setting experience…I, too, just wrote down a bunch of random goals…and surprise, surprise, didn’t check off too many of them.

I love your idea of having a theme for the year! Mine instantly chimed in: Independence. I can’t wait to follow your steps and come up with a plan.. :) I also loved the idea of a symbolic reminder – that really caught my attention. I’ll definitely be checking out your suggested resources and looking for one that just screams “independence.”

Thanks, Tina, for an awesome article!

Peace,
K
Liz Rebecca

Feb 06 12, 3:04 pm PDT

12
Thanks for the article I will try my best to integrate the one word theme in my life. I have decided that my word for this year will be FOCUS. I need it desperately to stop being so scattered both mentally and with my environment and possessions! I hope I win the necklace too!
sarah r.
Feb 06 12, 3:48 pm PDT

13
my one-word theme for the year LAST year was balance. :) great minds think alike! this year, it’s “embrace.” as in, embrace each moment.
KC
Feb 06 12, 3:55 pm PDT

14
I’ve always thought resolutions were over-rated and ineffective. I however set 2 resolutions this year. The first was to do a gratitude journal once per week (which I have kept up for the 1st 5 weeks) and the second was to meditate at least 10 minutes every day. I have probably missed 5 days so far, but overall it has been going pretty well. However, I like the idea of a word. My word for the year is love. I want to love myself, love my friends, love my family, and love the people that I have seemingly nothing in common with. Through love I want to be much less judgmental of myself and others.

Best of luck with everyone and their words or resolutions/goals!
Cheryl
Feb 06 12, 5:43 pm PDT

15
Thanks Tina!

My word is ‘confidence’. I was incredibly surprised that as I read the article, the word ‘confidence’ immediately sprang to my mind. The more I think about it the more I think that it will be the one thing that will help every aspect of my life. Wow.

I have done the setting goals thing and then reviewing a year later and been disappointed. It’s almost like just magically expecting things to have happened just because they were written down!

Good luck in living a balanced 2012 : )
Akilah

Feb 06 12, 6:31 pm PDT

16
I did this during Lent last year and found it very helpful. My word is honesty.
Luvlee
Feb 06 12, 7:24 pm PDT

17
Thanks so much for this, Tina.

I thought a bit about making “happiness” my theme for this year, but I actually think “abundance” is a better, more direct goal for me.

I had some very high highs and low lows last year which resulted in me setting up some lifestyle changes (meditation, eating healthy, yoga, reading, decluttering, gratitude journal) in order to get myself balanced. I see that I’m doing the work now and seeing the benefits moment by moment. I know that I need to allow myself to receive all of the positive results of this practice. No questioning or skepticism. Just gratitude. Hence the theme of abundance.
Joanna
Feb 06 12, 7:42 pm PDT

18
Thanks for the awesome post! :)

My word for this year is ‘adventure’. I want to stay focused on tasks that will help me achieve adventure in the future (backpacking in Europe this summer) as well as see adventure in everyday life. I want to enjoy doing artwork more and not see it as a chore, and also be more spontaneous everyday, talking to new people or working outside in the sun.

I think step 4, ‘One Goal at a Time,’ is especially helpful because I have so many things I’d love to do or be great at, but when I’m honest with myself, I can only do a few things. So if I pick a few simple goals and make them habits, one at a time, I won’t feel the pressure of failing to achieve my goals and become overwhelmed. Thanks for the tips! :)
Misty Cannon
Feb 06 12, 8:21 pm PDT

19
I am in process of trying to define my life theme for the year. I wasn’t aware that I had so many scattered goals that keep me distracted. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I find them encouraging.
Divya
Feb 06 12, 10:36 pm PDT

20
Great Post Tina! When I started reading this, two words kept flitting about in my mind- Faith and Balance- So i guess thats what my year is going to be all about.

Great site by the way…loads to take away from it :)
Wee
Feb 06 12, 10:39 pm PDT

21
Hi Tina,

Always <3 your piece and inspired by them but never really have the courage to write you a comment.

My theme for this year is "Change". I actually just got a tattoo on my wrist that says "Anicca" – impermanence, earlier this year. I use it as a constant reminder that change is the only constant in this world.

I have this strong urge to change, to quit the job that left me unhappy, to live the life I always wanted. And inside my head I have lots of ideas I felt like I should do to make this change a reality, but none of them has been done. After reading this piece, I know what I need to do. I need to focus on one goal at a time.

Hopefully by the end of the year, I can proudly say that I have lived my theme. Thank you for the inspiration!
Tanya

Feb 07 12, 1:34 am PDT

22
My theme is going to be ‘change’. :)
bepi

Feb 07 12, 1:57 am PDT

23
superJob
Tom Atkins

Feb 07 12, 4:49 am PDT

24
I like this approach. I use something similar in working with clients and I think the power of focus, driven by a single theme, is largely lost in this multitasking, everyone should be everything world.

Exceptionally well said!
Jenica
Feb 07 12, 5:03 am PDT

25
I love all your articles and find them very inspiring. My theme for this year is recreation. It has helped me in re-creating each space in my home. I am re-creating my approach to relationships with family and friends. Also, I am trying to include more physical activity and fun into my everyday. Happy New Year!
Dalynn
Feb 07 12, 5:32 am PDT

26
Thank you for such a thoughtful piece. My theme is “healing.”
Meghan

Feb 07 12, 5:57 am PDT

27
This post came at the perfect time for me! Instead of representing possibility and hope, this January made me feel dejected and frustrated – another year had passed and I did not meet the goals I had set for myself. I’m glad to hear I am not alone in my experience :)

Your post inspires me to change how I think about goals and expectations; I really enjoy the idea of a one-word theme instead of a “hard” goal. This year, I am focusing on PEACE.
Carmen
Feb 07 12, 6:13 am PDT

28
My theme for 2012 is “Love” because if I love what I do, who I am and learn to express my love for others 2012 will be amazing!

Thanks for sharing this new and improved approach to New Years Resolutions.
Denise

Feb 07 12, 7:17 am PDT

29
“Fearless” is my theme this year. There have too many opportunities that I let pass by b/c I was always too fearful. So 2012 is my year where I’m saying enough! Enough of being afraid to be myself, enough of being silent, enough of the comparisons. It’s time that I put myself out there.

Thank you for always giving me a great read and for taking a moment to reflect on what’s good in our lives. :)
Jen
Feb 07 12, 7:25 am PDT

30
Thank you for this refreshing, doable idea! As a full-time working wife/mom with little ones, my theme is BALANCE so I can feel more zen :)
Leigh Harris

Feb 07 12, 7:28 am PDT

31
Your words are gold, Tina! And they reflect my 2012 goal: Truth. You uncovered the truth of our need for goal setting. Yet if we focus on one word, we WILL get there.

I believe Mari had a post on Truth as well, so the idea for my goal isn’t mine, yet it is exactly where I need to focus. Truth in conversations, in commitments, in being honest with myself for my capabilities and limitations.

This brings me more fully into my own power, which is the 3rd chakra – and that beautiful necklace!

Blessings Tina.
Danielle
Feb 07 12, 7:57 am PDT

32
Great article, just what I needed!
Thanks!
Kymberly
Feb 07 12, 8:29 am PDT

33
Using a single word definitely makes it easier to keep goals in mind!

My word for 2012 is Focus.
- Focus will ensure I work on one goal at once.
- In order to focus well I will need to simplify and declutter, physically, emotionally and mentally.
- Focus is a word I can easily associate with eating habits, health and fitness goals.
- My business goals this year require focus, as I move into a new career.
Leah

Feb 07 12, 8:52 am PDT

34
Great lunchtime read and a welcome post at this point in the year/winter.

:)

P.S. Glad to see a giveaway on here–neat!
Jessica Ireland
Feb 07 12, 8:55 am PDT

35
My word is commitment. Last year was risk and I had no problem taking those :) What’s really challenging for me is to commit because it means I have to open myself up and trust and recognize that I don’t control things. I’m more willing to do something crazy like jump out of a plane than I am to opening up my heart sometimes! So I am focusing on being committed to myself, to the moment, to people and moments that matter, to what’s important to me. Whenever I find myself becoming hesitant or nervous, I just say COMMIT and I move forward with faith.
Lisa Hamilton
Feb 07 12, 9:01 am PDT

36
I have learned that I need shorter term goals to be effective. I set monthly goals and within that, weekly goals to help me accomplish the monthly goals. If my goals are bigger, I break them down so they’re manageable.

This article is a great addition to the way I currently set my goals and I think could help me streamline even more. Thanks!
Lynni Maldonado
Feb 07 12, 9:05 am PDT

37
This is a gem. My husband who has ADHD has struggled with traditional goal setting. We both love this approach. Thanks so much for all you do Tina.
Agnes
Feb 07 12, 9:27 am PDT

38
This year is going to be on “fire”. – could apply to different meanings…Every decision is made to create an impact towards a goal. – light fire on the right path. It is strong and think nothing less for yourself. – leave a blazing trail. Basically everything to do for this year should be awesome, to the point, move at a pace cuz its gonna be hot! ;)
Sandra
Feb 07 12, 9:30 am PDT

39
Tina,

What a great article! My one word theme would be ABUNDANCE for this year. After reading your article, I feel that word hits home for me and truly makes so much more sense to look at setting a goal this way.

Thank you for your website, I love reading it and value everything you have to offer.

Sincerely,
Sandra
Janet

Feb 07 12, 9:31 am PDT

40
one word theme: abundance. why not?
Liz

Feb 07 12, 9:37 am PDT

41
“We forget that, after all, our list of goals is just an arbitrary list of “shoulds”.”

So true! My continued focus is to continue to remove the word ‘should’ from my vocabulary. It’s not my place to tell anyone else what they should be doing, and I’m certainly not going to tell myself what I should have done.

Rather than setting goals, I write statements in the affirmative.
I think as if. I write as if. I dress as if. I sit as if. I stand as if.

As a nice side effect, my posture, diet and wardrobe are all improving! :)
Laura
Feb 07 12, 9:42 am PDT

42
Thank you for the great post, Tina! Very inspirational, and right along the lines of what I needed right now.

My word for 2012 is Presence. That, to me, means to have a sense of inner and outer awareness, and inner stillness and growth. It includes general balance and fulfillment, self-esteem, selfless love and acceptance of what is in every moment.

I had actually started doing this without realizing it since the year started. Now that I have given it a name, it just became more real to me.
Ev
Feb 07 12, 9:50 am PDT

43
This was a great article. My word is PEACE.
ZEN by Karen Moore

Feb 07 12, 9:53 am PDT

44
Tina…
Thank you so much for the mention of my jewelry line ~ ZEN by Karen Moore. I am truly honored to be a part of your sharing.

Your article is wonderful and I absolutely LOVE the idea of a theme, a key mantra to help stay on our path for the year. My theme is a popular one ~ BALANCE ~ in my daily life…all which will lead to happy happy days and a happy me!

My jewelry symbolic reminder is going to be jewelry with Amethyst and Moonstone…gentle, sweet gems yet powerful!

xo, ZKM
Bea

Feb 07 12, 9:54 am PDT

45
It’s amazing how connected I feel with this blog right now. In 2011, hugely with the help of wisdom I’ve absorbed through you, I have found love with a person with whom I’ve finally found mutual love, respect and value and I’ve stepped out of a HUGE Being hiatus (I feel like I know what I want to do now, and know better how to get there.) It’s like an energy block in me has been healed through this blog :D Just today I was thinking about new year resolutions and my own musings about them and how, in the end, if I forget about the lists, then they cease to be so influential. Then I got this idea of making a Mantra that I will read every day when I wake up to kind of set me up for a good start. Something short and sweet like “Today I will eat clean, be patient, be kind, take care of myself, ” etc.. I thought of writing it down on a card and moving it across my planner as I go through the year. But OMG why didn’t I think of this! A WORD! So much shorter, and I don’t need to write it down! I guess I can do both.. :) I’m writing a blog entry in honor of this post, Tina :D I’ll write about my word: BUILD. Thank you again!
Tina Su

Feb 07 12, 10:01 am PDT

46
Oh Bea, thank you for taking time to comment. I’m trying to refrain from responding to comments (so I don’t dilute the entries for the draw), but your comment made me get all teary! :) Thank you for that. I feel so connected with everyone, and it’s good to be reminded of why I started this site in the first place.

Bliss and Love to you!
Tina
Krysta
Feb 07 12, 10:10 am PDT

47
Awesome! You have single handedly made me feel better about not meeting certain goals by January of this year.

I think I’m going to steal your word for 2012 – “balance” is exactly what I’m striving for :)
Gretchen
Feb 07 12, 10:12 am PDT

48
I love this post. It really had me thinking and I especially can relate to being hard on myself if I do not do all the things I set out to do. Very inspiring–thank you!
Lynne G.
Feb 07 12, 10:15 am PDT

49
This is an amazing time for this article since I have decided that this is “my year”!

It took me a while to choose just one word but my word is POSITIVITY.

My focus this year integrates better well-being (health), improved career path/goals, and being able to wake up grateful for everything, smile and laugh a lot, kinder to everyone around me and being able to give back. I also am focusing on just trusting and believing that everything happens for a reason and to let things be if I cannot do anything about it…hence the word positivity.

I do not typically win in drawings but I believe that if it happens, then it is meant to be.

More blessings to you Tina, Jeremy and Ryan! Much love!
Kelly

Feb 07 12, 10:29 am PDT

50
My husband and I also made goals at the beginning of the year, which I had completely forgotten about until I read this post. I flipped to the beginning of my list book – the one I use for my daily to-do lists – and reviewed the goals. i was happy to discover that I’m on track! Who knew!

But, I added to this list the theme of GROWTH. One of my goals was to see a career counselor and explore paths for fulfillment in the work place which I just completed. The theme of GROWTH aligns perfectly with this desire as it encourages me to work past my fears and through my often self-inflicted barriers to emerge with a stronger skill set and preparation for next year’s new challenges. (We designed a path for me, but I’m not yet ready to share it.)

Also, I’ve been reading a lot about food security and have decided to attempt to grow my own food. The word “grow” is necessary for me to communicate that goal.

Now, I just need a necklace to keep it in mind all the time. ;)
Patrick
Feb 07 12, 10:56 am PDT

51
Lol New Years Eve 2011 wasn’t “over a year ago” Tina. It was just about a month and a week ago. New Years Eve is Dec 31 and that so the one we just had fell in the 2011 calendar year
Lana Davis
Feb 07 12, 10:57 am PDT

52
Your words are wonderful!! Thank you!! And thank you to the individuals with their words. All very good theme words… so very inspiring.. My word is surrender.

I too have always made goals and come end of the year see I haven’t completed them and have been hard on myself as well as not realizing so much that I have accomplished or how far I have come in the past year or let alone this far in life! :)

I love your site it brings so much to light.
Tina Su

Feb 07 12, 11:01 am PDT

53
Oops.. I meant, New Years Eve 2010. We did this on January 1st, 2011.
K
Feb 07 12, 11:02 am PDT

54
Passion! And I finally discovered it. So now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of my long quested search for my passion.
Deevs

Feb 07 12, 11:24 am PDT

55
My word for 2012: FREEDOM
Something I’ve been craving my whole life.
And this year, I am quitting the miserable job I feel trapped in, going travelling through the USA for 2-3 months (I live in South Africa), and want to ‘find myself’ which for me means changing direction and pursuing my passions – working with animals, writing and travel.
2012 is a BIG year for – I won’t lie – it is quite scary! But something I intuitively feel I have to do.
Li Li

Feb 07 12, 11:41 am PDT

56
Dear Tina,

Whilst I think it is great to have high aspirations in life, if we don’t achieve them, we should not beat ourselves up, it is the journey and process of getting there that counts. These are afterall, as you have beautifully put it – ‘arbitrary list of shoulds’, (I like this phrase), maybe it is a natural human nature to focus and look on the things we have not achieve and drag ourselves down into pit of negativity. Tina, you may not have achieved your random goal of 30,000 likes on facebook, but rest-assured, those around 18,193 likes that you have- are meaningful, as these are lives of people you have touched in your simple ways (Think Simple Now).

Nevermind the other short of 12,000′s, I would like you to know, like many other readers on your site, your simplicity, humility and honest has touched my life, and I hope it will slowly, yet profoundly change my thinking. You are inspiring, as you not only share all the positive stories, you share genuine personal stories, and it feels as if you’re talking to me, face to face sharing this experience, and telling me how to get out of it. I have similar problems, I have so many random goals that in the end, I get no where, as those goals don’t go hand in hand.

This article is timely, I have to relook at my 2012 list and really focus on a theme to ensure that 2012 doesn’t end up like 2011. I will think carefully about this in the next few days.

Meanwhile, thank you all at TSN for this great job. I’ve just moved to a foreign country to be with my husband, where I am starting anew away from my close friends and family, so this blog has been a great companion, especially when I am feeling low.
Silvia

Feb 07 12, 12:30 pm PDT

57
My “one word theme” for the year is actually two words: open heart. I want to approach every aspect of my life – work, family, friends – with love and without judgment, fully taking it in, enjoying the up’s and down’s and appreciating everything and everyone.
Lionhearted
Feb 07 12, 12:40 pm PDT

58
Thanks for writing this, it is a great article. My one-word theme is “joy”. It reminds me that I want to enjoy my life as much as possible and find happiness in all moments, no matter what I’m doing at the time.
Viktoriya
Feb 07 12, 12:51 pm PDT

59
Thank you so much for the article! …Read it all through with great pleasure! That is exactly what I need right now, thank you again for the inspiration!:)
geeky geekerson

Feb 07 12, 1:21 pm PDT

60
I heard of this concept a while ago while reading Ariane’s Change Nation. So back in 2009, when I decided to choose a word, I chose “YES”. At that point in my life I felt a lot of my fears were holding me back so my plan was to “just say yes” as often as possible. Frankly, I don’t remember if I did so or not, but it certainly made me more aware of the possibility of saying “yes” even existing.

Somewhere in mid-2011, when I was feeling overwhelmed by what I simply felt that I had to do, I found a quote and plastered it on my board: “All you have to do today is try”. This meant for me that trying was good enough, that I didn’t need to be perfect and that it was ok if not everything got done in the end. So “try” was the general theme for 2011.

In 2012 I want to focus on being happy, and the key to that, for me, is to be grateful, despite the ups and downs that life is throwing at me. So I think that “happiness” and “gratitude” are my theme words for this year. Sorry, can’t choose just one :)
Cheryl
Feb 07 12, 1:48 pm PDT

61
Everyone has thought of such great words! Even after having my one word theme for just one day I feel like I can associate it with everything i do.

What a great idea!
Tina Su

Feb 07 12, 2:01 pm PDT

62
Thank you Li Li. You are right. Thank you for pointing that out.

The goal of 30K fans was such a random target without any meaning. And seriously, even if we hit 100K fans, I wouldn’t be happier than I feel now. It’s just kind of a ego boost that our mind gets attached to (happens to us all).

Writing this post and reading all your comments, the experience of connection and joy I feel is out of this world. Leaps and bounds more than reaching any random goal will do. I will remember this when my mind starts beating itself up over silly things like the number of facebook fans again.

Warmly,
Tina
Kristy
Feb 07 12, 2:04 pm PDT

63
My one word is Courage. I chose this word by simply asking myself who i wanted to be in 2012. It is my goal to practice courage in all areas of my life.
Skweekah
Feb 07 12, 2:45 pm PDT

64
Health.
Beth
Feb 07 12, 2:56 pm PDT

65
Thank you. I have been “stuck” on my path without knowing what direction to follow. This article gave me a very quick reality check to what it is I want in and for my life.
Shivani
Feb 07 12, 2:58 pm PDT

66
This is a great article. I think symbolic representations are so important to keep positive and striving for your dreams. I use energy muse pieces everyday to help me with this – love their stuff :)
Kelly T
Feb 07 12, 3:00 pm PDT

67
Persevere – if it’s with my job, relationships, my body, goals, etc. I want to persevere and strive to succeed in every aspect of life
Scott N.
Feb 07 12, 3:00 pm PDT

68
Ahimsa.
Alison

Feb 07 12, 3:00 pm PDT

69
Great idea. I’ve recently set a list of goals for this year, and they all seem to have the theme of learning and creating things, so I would say that’s my theme; “Learn and Create.”

I’m teaching myself new skills to help me create things that I’ve wanted to do for awhile (blog, book, youtube videos,websites,etc), Sorry, I couldn’t pick just one….however, I do like the idea of focusing on one idea at a time. I am only working on one goal at a time, which is tough for me because I want to try to overdo it :)
Maria

Feb 07 12, 3:01 pm PDT

70
This year’s theme: PRODUCTIVITY :)
Bryn

Feb 07 12, 3:15 pm PDT

71
Love.

Love for myself. Love for others. Love for my environment.
Traci Wagner
Feb 07 12, 3:28 pm PDT

72
HEALTH……good health to be exact….

Your article has given me the guidance “to work toward the word”
Traci Wagner
Feb 07 12, 3:30 pm PDT

73
if I run it together can innerpeace be my one word? <3
Lauren
Feb 07 12, 3:38 pm PDT

74
Radiance
Rosalie
Feb 07 12, 4:13 pm PDT

75
One word theme – Gratitude
:)
Ruth
Feb 07 12, 4:19 pm PDT

76
I would have to say that my word is “normal” I can’t say it is to be balanced, just to be my definition of normal, to achieve normalcy.
Jackie
Feb 07 12, 4:25 pm PDT

77
“Namaste” is a word that represents feeling and attitude. In my work and in my life, I always try to remember that the light in me recognizes the light in others. If someone is giving me a hard time, or getting on my nerves, I take a moment to focus on where they are coming from. It really helps!!!
Christina Gomez
Feb 07 12, 4:32 pm PDT

78
My theme for this year will be “Abundance”. I’m creating an abundance of love, health, kindness, prosperity, and spirituality.
harmony collins
Feb 07 12, 4:47 pm PDT

79
Love this! Thanks;)
Jessica
Feb 07 12, 4:49 pm PDT

80
Love it! thank you for sharing! Love the Energy Muse necklace too!
Harry @ GoalsOnTrack

Feb 07 12, 5:46 pm PDT

81
Great post.

Sometimes the problem is not with having many goals, but rather lacking priorities. It’s difficult to only set one goal and still be able to keep a balanced effort in all areas in life. What I find working is to have a few goals (3-5) but prioritize them based on either importance and time (long term/short term, etc.), and then also prioritize the tasks you do for these goals as well.

Finally, most important thing about prioritizing things is that you must really stick to the rule that you finish higher priority tasks before evening think about any less priority things.
Ruth
Feb 07 12, 6:17 pm PDT

82
Changing mine from “normal” to “healthy”… physically, mentally, emotionally, whatever… just “healthy”.
Galen Pearl

Feb 07 12, 6:34 pm PDT

83
I wrote a blog post at the end of 2010 titled Resolution or Revolution. It was about just what you are talking about here–realizing that the goals we set every year are not always in our best interest. For about 10 years now I have used a word theme, just like you suggest. My word is always a verb. It is not a resolution or a goal. It is a focus word. I write it on little cards that I put in places where I’m sure to see it through the day. My word for 2012 is Shine.

Wishing you a balanced year! Love your blog.
Mary
Feb 07 12, 7:00 pm PDT

84
Wow! Thank you for this. I think I might just make my word “focus.”

I’m constantly upsetting myself because, whenever I want to set goals, I’m always overwhelmed. There’s so much I want to do, so much I should do, that I get distracted. For example, how could I possibly choose learning to cook over learning to sew over learning an instrument? Which one takes precedent? I become distracted and discouraged because I don’t know what to focus on. There are a million and one things I want to and should be doing, trying, conquering. The knowledge of being unable to do it all is such a hindrance. But I know I cannot let it be. I need to choose one goal, accept it, and focus on it. Step by step. So hopefully, by making my word “focus” I will learn to collect all of my energy on one thing at a time. Take it task by task, day by day, and get what I need and want to done without worrying about the opportunity cost, so to speak.

Nonetheless, my indecisive tendencies still have me a bit unsure about what I want my word to be. I’ll go back and to your exercise. I thought about “confidence” also, which would be beneficial. But I think focus needs to come first. We’ll see. I guess I should really just choose — I needn’t matter what I choose, only that I begin and, well, focus! haha.

Sorry for the book!
Kim

Feb 07 12, 7:28 pm PDT

85
Absolute perfect timing for this share, tweet and post, thanks to Energy Muse for tweeting this post. This confirms and motivates what I already have in process. For 2012 my word is WELLNESS! Thank you for a great read, a boost and a little shove back onto my chosen path!
Kim

Feb 07 12, 7:31 pm PDT

86
Passing this on to my team! Thanks again.
2012 the year of WELLNESS, personally, physically, emotionally and financially. Life is good.
Leah
Feb 07 12, 7:45 pm PDT

87
2012- the year of Love. Love myself, love my family, love the world around me. Find work that I love. It’s going to be an amazing year!
Barbara Waters

Feb 07 12, 7:53 pm PDT

88
Healthy! 2 year cancer survivor and need to start living like I want to live!!!
Jennien
Feb 07 12, 8:04 pm PDT

89
My theme word for 2012 is forgiveness…life is hard and we and people fail all the time. I believe if we learn to forgive others as well as ourselves …there is a joy in accepance of what we can not change. And all this stems from finding the strength to forgive. It is a real skill and life is so much lighter and happier with less baggage from holding grudges and being the victim. Send and recieve love and light….forgiveness is my theme : )
Stacy
Feb 07 12, 8:18 pm PDT

90
My word is Peace.

Great article, thanks!
Desiree Brown
Feb 07 12, 9:05 pm PDT

91
Patience….may I have the patience this year to trust in the cycle of life and the right timing of when things should and will happen. No more rushing the process of right timing. The universe knows when the time is right for everything to happen and I want to trust, live, feel and know that all is happening when it is meant to so I can let go of the fear.
Leianne
Feb 07 12, 9:26 pm PDT

92
My theme is peace. The articles on this site are always a source of comfort to me. Thanks for giving me a little bit of peace every day.

Namaste-
Laxmi
Feb 07 12, 10:07 pm PDT

93
Love. I intend to create love in my life in form of soul mate, friends and wealth
Xtensa
Feb 07 12, 10:38 pm PDT

94
Love & Family xxx Blessings xxx
Edyta
Feb 07 12, 10:46 pm PDT

95
Great article. For planning I recommend app such as Producteev and evernote, these are very helpful for me.
Dan
Feb 08 12, 2:20 am PDT

96
Gratitude. If you have that…….all else must be okay
Claire Fontaine

Feb 08 12, 3:04 am PDT

97
What a beautiful place to spend some time this morning! I found your site from traceyjacksononline. I love the combination of heart, soul, smarts and practicality here. It’s one thing to write a lovely post on goals, another to provide tools that work along with it. Glad I found you, Tina! Warmly – Claire
Maggie
Feb 08 12, 8:58 am PDT

98
My one-word theme is Create. As an artist who’s become side-tracked by motherhood, marriage (and a few other things), I’ve lost an essential part of my identity. Creation comes in so many forms and I think dedicating each day to creating one thing, whether it’s an outfit that makes me feel chic (not easy at 6 months pregnant!) or writing an interesting blog post or baking a cake that makes people happy, is what’s going to connect me back to myself.

Thank you for helping me reduce my resolution list down to a simple theme!
Susan Sutton
Feb 08 12, 11:43 am PDT

99
My thought for 2012 is POSITIVITY. I deal with a few painful health issues and I’m learning that focusing on all the positive things in my life helps me to ignore those health issues. I’m reading positive books, meeting and associating with positive people, watching positive tv shows and doing things for myself that make ME happy! I go to deep water aerobics once or twice a week, spend time walking with my dog and throwing the ball for her. I’ve deleted negative people from my FB page and I avoid people, places and things that are negative, stressful and unhealthy. I’m no prude, mind you! I just have a strong belief in the power of positive thinking, both physically and emotionally. I do have a couple of Energy Muse pieces and I love them! I believe in their power and I’m grateful to have found them. More positivity!
Rebecca

Feb 08 12, 12:37 pm PDT

100
Love the post. My theme a few years ago was balance :) May you find it: physically, mentally and spiritually!
Jessica Justice

Feb 08 12, 1:56 pm PDT

101
I love love love this post!!!! At the start of this year I launched my own online magazine that I had been working on for a year and a half, shortly before the launch I was fired from my job, and completely lost myself in a relationship. I was completely down about life, yet I was accomlishing something I was working on forever. I could not even allow myself to be happy. I took everything that was happening to me as a failure, instead of a blessing. I did not look at although I lost my job, I was taking the first step on the walk of faith and doing what I always wanted to do, that my job didn’t allow me to. I couldn’t be happy in my relationship because I had carried around so much hurt and just knew I couldn’t for once in my life be finding love. SO focusing on a theme for the year is a huge difference in my life. My theme is “happiness” finding happiness in my daily walk, and knowing each day is a blessing and I should be happy in it. What will I do today that makes me happy inside and out. Thanks for tis post. I love your site!
CD
Feb 08 12, 5:33 pm PDT

102
First of all, Tina, I want to thank you for setting up this blog site. I think I have been battling a poor sense of self-esteem all my life, and I have always thought that as I grow this problem will take care of itself as I meet the challenges of adulthood. Unfortunately I found myself in my thirties & still battling some of those negative feelings, and I can see now that they have inhibited my growth as a person. I am now making some efforts to improve on my own and have found your site to be a good source of help. I’ve read a lot of articles on tips to improve your life; your articles are emphatic but they actually contain detailed steps and questions that I can use to reflect and take stock of my issues. I’ve sometimes found more general tips to be more confusing than helpful, so I want to thank you and everyone at this site for offering these thoughtful & detailed articles that I can print out, take home & follow as exercise for my self improvement.

Having said that, I think my theme for this year will be “Awakening”

Thanks again! I’m glad you’ve found happiness in your chosen path, and I hope one day I’ll be able to say the same =)
Percy
Feb 08 12, 7:10 pm PDT

103
My one word theme is unwind.

I find that I’m always in a rush to talk to others, to get places, to do things. I’m focused and I meet deadlines – but the hustle leaves little time to build better relationships, to enjoy the scenery, and to just go with the flow. This theme also is pertinent with my work-life balance. Like some others, I leave work physically but not mentally. I’m usually keeping a to-do list in the back of mind of my work deadlines, leaving me distracted from what I’m currently doing.

So unwind will remind me to slow down and to just relax.
KTO
Feb 08 12, 7:40 pm PDT

104
This post couldn’t have come at a better time. As I struggle with a stack of “goals” and “to do lists” after the first of the year, the entire month of January I was paralyzed and unable to move on any of them. By choosing just a single word (TBD) I think I can overcome the overwhelm and start moving onward and upward with my life. Thank you for the inspiration!
michelle
Feb 08 12, 8:04 pm PDT

105
really helpful article!
michelle
Feb 08 12, 8:05 pm PDT

106
oh and I’m going for “calm”
Karen
Feb 08 12, 9:49 pm PDT

107
What a great idea ! Such a simple thing, but I can see this working so much better for me than a whole list of things. Thank you <3
Karen
Feb 08 12, 9:53 pm PDT

108
I almost forgot, my word is “joy”. Our family faced many challenges last year. I need to work on seeing the joy in life and not focusing on the difficulties.
Jenny
Feb 08 12, 9:58 pm PDT

109
My goal for 2012 is Happiness. I’ve always been goal-oriented and many times I’ve focused on goals just for the sake of achieving them, without really thinking about my happiness. Lately, I have been pondering about what’s really important in my life, and I’ve realized that I just really want to be happy and content with the present, without trying to get to the next level as soon as possible. So… my theme for 2012 is finding happiness.
Kaitlin

Feb 09 12, 9:54 am PDT

110
I absolutely love this idea. I get too bogged down by an entire list of goals that I cannot focus at all. A theme for the year is just the relief my brain has been searching for! This year my theme is “Simplicity”, I can’t wait to figure out all the ways to make it happen!
Paulina
Feb 09 12, 11:58 am PDT

111
My word for this year is TRUST.

I want to learn to trust myself, the universe and the people around me that I am on the right way.
Maggie Omick, Twinkle Teacher

Feb 09 12, 12:20 pm PDT

112
2012 – Happiness.

Love the simplicity of this idea. In November, I launched http://www.twinklesandwinks.com in an attempt to give sassy happiness a proper place in today’s media, to teach people to choose joy in life and follow life’s little hints to find their own happy place. The world needs a little more love and it can start with me!!! Love TSN. Such a light in my life. Thanks.
Karen
Feb 10 12, 5:30 am PDT

113
WOW, WOW and WOW again, what a wonderful and timely post! I have been lost as of late and feel that I am anew and ready to begin again with one simple exercise. Discovering and setting a one-word theme is feeling so amazingly effective and has already lightened my heart. I not only know what my word is but have made a banner to put inside my office above my door (which I face from my desk) so that I see it all day long as a constant reminder when my brain gets to busy.

My one word? GRACE

The grace to accept the days challenges (no matter how big or small). The grace to bless others lives. The grace to allow myself to see the beauty of life and living.
Chris
Feb 10 12, 7:01 am PDT

114
“59-60″ Recently turned 59 and am on my way to the big 60! I want this to be my best year so this has become my theme or motto. So I find myself approaching this threshold with a good degree of excitement and anticipation. I have some goals and actions planned, but it is not simply about doing. It is also about becomming. It is sometimes more of a challenge than you think it will be, but a hopeful and worthy pursuit nonetheless.
Tina Su

Feb 10 12, 10:06 am PDT

115
@Karen,

That’s beautiful, thank you for sharing. :) It made me smile. I need to make a banner too. Good idea.

Tina
Rachel
Feb 10 12, 10:19 am PDT

116
my word theme is Present….
so many variations of meaning, all of them relevant!
Best regards
Rachel
Lynne
Feb 10 12, 2:15 pm PDT

117
This is an amazing time for this article since I have decided that this is “my year”!

It took me a while to choose just one word but my word is POSITIVITY.

My focus this year integrates better well-being (health), improved career path/goals, and being able to wake up grateful for everything, smile and laugh a lot, kinder to everyone around me and being able to give back. I also am focusing on just trusting and believing that everything happens for a reason and to let things be if I cannot do anything about it…hence the word positivity.

I do not typically win in drawings but I believe that if it happens, then it is meant to be.
Victoria
Feb 10 12, 6:36 pm PDT

118
So much to think about :)

Mine: De-Clutter (mind & material)

Thanks
Aneesa
Feb 11 12, 7:27 am PDT

119
woww thank you so much for this article!! i’m a senior in high school and i realized that some of the mistakes you mentioned definitely apply to me. (like the list of goals we make) >w<
Oleg
Feb 11 12, 9:25 am PDT

120
ReaLife! Thanks, Tina!
Charley
Feb 12 12, 8:03 am PDT

121
One word? Almost seems impossible. My first grandchild is due in June, and I want to be able to fully enjoy this eagerly anticipated child. So …. one word …. HEALTH. Physical, mental, spiritual and financial health.

Thanks for this message – you really made me think about how much one word can mean.

Charley
Mike
Feb 12 12, 5:58 pm PDT

122
Great post! I will think about this tonight. I like the idea of using a physical item as a reminder :)
Gina
Feb 13 12, 11:06 am PDT

123
LOve your posts. So glad I stumbled across your blog!
LJ Earnest (@SmplProdBlog)

Feb 13 12, 1:02 pm PDT

124
I’ve been using the one-word theme idea for a few years now. I also choose themes for weeks and months as I need to change things up. Interestingly, my theme for this year is also “balance.”

I do a small painting of the year-theme-word every January and hang it above my desk. Total irony – it took three tries and three different hanging techniques to get “balance” to balance!
El Edwards

Feb 14 12, 7:49 am PDT

125
I almost laughed out loud reading your description of yours and your husband’s experience looking back at your goals because something very similar happened to me. In December 2010 I wrote a letter to ‘Dear random family member who will never read this because you are fictitious’ dated December 2011 (because all the ‘experts’ said you should claim those goals by writing about them in the present tense!) in which I did the annual round up of what had happened in the previous 12 months. And, like you found, none of it came true and, for a moment or ten I was gutted!

And then I looked back on the 12 months that had actually happened and, while it was nothing like I had planned for myself, it was still a fabulous year and I reminded myself to take a moment to be thankful.

I love the idea of just setting a word. Mine is ‘growth’ because I ended 2011 launching a new community so I’d love to see that grow, but I’d also like to grow in my relationships with my three children and husband as well as grow personally. There’s always so much to learn.

Thank you for making me think and for making me smile. Such a delightful antidote to the usual goal setting advice.
janet
Feb 15 12, 8:38 pm PDT

126
Explore is my theme for the year. After doing your exercise, Questions to discover your life purpose, this word kept popping up. It also expresses where I am in my life right now, exploring what I want to do and considering new options for my life. Thank you. I don’t think I found your website by accident. :)
James

Feb 16 12, 5:14 pm PDT

127
What a great post! I definitely need to become more focused this year and stop overwhelming myself with too many goals.

Thanks Tina!
Larissa
Feb 19 12, 3:35 am PDT

128
Hi Tina

Newbie to your site here. Not one for leaving comment but this one hits the mark:). For the past few years I’ve marked my goals and intentions for each year with a word as my beacon of light. Hope, Couage and Reinvention have come and gone. This year my word is Discovery. For me, I want to discover my passion, my purpose, my joy…..maybe who I really am.

I also just finished reading all your early blogs and… thank you for sharing and writing. I’m very grateful for stumbling onto your site.

Take care,
Larissa
Alvaro
Feb 19 12, 11:56 pm PDT

129
My theme for the year is, definitely, “Purpose”.
Kathy
Feb 20 12, 11:00 am PDT

130
Peace is my word. Lots of changes going on in my life this year. I want to be at peace in the midst of them all.

Tina- I want to tell you that I appreciate your articles so much. I have a special email that I used to subscribe to them. It’s my special place to go and have my heart touched. Thank you for your honesty and your compassion – for those of us that are reading and for yourself. You are a great example of what it means to be a student of the universe.

k.
Angela
Feb 20 12, 2:44 pm PDT

131
When I sat down and took the time to write down goals for the year in 2010, it was one of the best years I ever had. Also, in doing the exercise with a friend, it helped to keep me accountable. She achieved many of her goals that year, too!
Li Li

Feb 21 12, 3:53 pm PDT

132
Having given some thought about what theme to stick to, its boiled down to Courage, Commitment and Change. All these three concepts should interrelate – I want to be more courageous as a result to be more confident, and I must commit myself to get there, and identify what change I can take in my life and to commit to that change.

I challenge myself to be more courageous in life- go out and jog my lungs out, find peace and have the courage to feel more contented and at ease with myself. Throw out bad habits and fill it up with positivity- but I have to change my pessimistic ways.

Ok. Li Li, do this! Shall be my mantra.
Shannon
Feb 24 12, 8:44 am PDT

133
Thank you for this wonderful post – very helpful!
Shannon
Feb 24 12, 8:46 am PDT

134
and, my word for this year is also “abundance” – love it! thanks again!
Brenda
Feb 25 12, 2:28 am PDT

135
When doing this exercise a whole list of themes came up. I really want prosperity in all areas of my life, internal peace, self-love, health, and opportunities to teach. I’ve realized, however, that I have been working hard to achieve most of these goals for the last several years. Your comments really hit home with me because I now understand that using a multi-tasking method to achieve goals can equate to delayed completion dates. Because I didn’t focus on one thing it was hard to enjoy my progress. Because I didn’t focus on one thing I didn’t finish anything. Because I didn’t focus on one thing I rarely stopped to rest or enjoy the beauty of being still. Because I didn’t focus on one thing I have occasionally experienced a weariness of the soul. On some nights, when I couldn’t escape my own thoughts, hope was hard to hang on to. Your post has made me rethink my approach. I am going to focus on one thing. I am going to write that word on my bathroom mirror. I am going to use it as background on my cellphone and laptop. I am going to find a peace of jewelry that will be a reminder. I am going to simplify and focus. That is my new goal – simplify. My house needs to be decluttered. My daily schedule does not need to be so full. The baggage I’ve carried with me needs unpacking. Simplify and enjoy – what a great way to live – I’m excited.
Andrea
Feb 26 12, 4:08 pm PDT

136
The one word theme for goals is certainly in keeping with a theme of simplifying your life. In trying to keep things simple in each facet of my own life, this goal setting technique will help immensely. Thank you!!
R
Mar 04 12, 6:16 am PDT

137
Experience. I want to feel something new every day of the week. I want every moment to go into making me grow into a wiser, kinder, more patient person.

I try to do something like this at the start of most years. My birthday is a couple of weeks into January so I normally make birthday vows. usually something simple like “be less of a klutz” but I like the idea of aspiring towards a word. I’ve been tied to university for the past 4 years (7 if you count undergrad) and now I’m 25 and want a break. There’s a lot to experience when you’re in your 20s. I don’t mean thrill-seeking behaviour, I just mean living.

I try to act mindfully most days of the week, but now I’ll be purposeful AND mindful. I want to seek out new experiences, find novelty and, perhaps, spend a few months without a routine. It’s going to be a strange year… I don’t know what’s going to happen but I’m going to give every day a hug and ask it to teach me something new.

xx
R
Sharon
Mar 05 12, 9:56 am PDT

138
My one word theme for 2012 is:

GOOD

In a nutshell I will focus on having more GOODness in my life:
-Having GOOD thoughts, a GOOD nature
-Focussing on only the GOOD in situations, sharing GOOD news
- Speaking only GOOD words,
-Attracting GOOD things and having GOOD fortune
-Giving off GOOD energy by sending out GOOD vibrations
-Enjoying GOOD times with GOOD friends and family
-Eating GOOD food, drinking GOOD wine & enjoying GOOD health
-Establishing GOOD habits,
-Making time for GOOD exercise to achieve GOOD looks,
-Conducting GOOD Business and doing GOOD work
- Establishing GOOD relationships,
- Connecting with GOOD guys and gals that share my views,
- Setting a GOOD example by exhibiting GOOD behaviour
- Being grateful & showing thanks to the GOOD God above!

….GOOD bye
:)
Yukko
Mar 05 12, 11:30 pm PDT

139
My word for 2012 is “Sincerity”.

Thank you very much for your article.

To be sincere to myself means to cherish myself, to treasure people, to love myself, to do my best (the real 100% and never give up), to keep my word and no verbal promise, no lies, no excuses, to enjoy my life from the bottom of my heart, to take care of my health (go to swimming pool near my house), always ask myself who I am, to have a dream, to put a plan into practice, to give full play to my abilities, to think how I manage the goals.

Not wanting to forget all the things I wrote, I started to wear a necklace which my ex-boyfriend gave me on my birthday. Like you named yours “abundance”, I named it “sincerity”.
I loved my ex-boyfriend sincerely and I’m sure he too loved me sincerely.
So I choose this necklace as a reminder of my word.

Thank you once again for your articles.

Yukko from Japan.
Rebecca
Mar 06 12, 8:10 am PDT

140
I love the idea of a word theme for the year. I’m so bringing this idea to my goals group this evening as we are only now looking at our year goals. Here’s another way to approach it! Thanks!
iRoQoco
Mar 09 12, 6:00 am PDT

141
This article came at the perfect time. Thank you for sharing it. I’m feeling “peace” to be my theme for the year. I’m not much of a goal setter, so this will be interesting. I do need to find a consistent peace in my life. Thank you again!
Christine
Mar 10 12, 6:28 am PDT

142
Great Concept ! One word to keep us focused, my word for this year is PEACE ! I lost my husband this year and Peace allows me to accept all that is. It will follow me thru with change and decisions and to look at life in a more caring and compassionate manner. Peace has always allowed me to show more Love.
Taralyn
Mar 15 12, 10:32 pm PDT

143
My word theme for the year is “Faith” Its always taking that first step and taking another and another towards little accomplishments for big goals. I like the idea of having a piece of something with me to remind to keep moving forward and just have faith.

Thank you again Tina helping us find other ways to improve ourselves.
Sonal

Mar 16 12, 10:38 pm PDT

144
Thanks Tina. This is just what I needed. Life has been chaotic and I’ve lost focus. Been overwhelmed with too many goals and moving parts. As always your blog has been a great source of inspiration for me.

The one word theme is a powerful concept and thanks for sharing.

My one-word theme for 2012 is Renewal. To me it means, reinvention, transformation and renewal of my health, mind, marriage, career, finances and family to create fulfilling success.

Renewing so many aspects in life won’t be easy but, I’m sure with the idea of mini-goals I should be on track soon. Thanks again.
Justine Thompson
Mar 23 12, 10:16 pm PDT

145
“Flow”

It’s time to stop resisting change and things I cannot control!
Christine P.
Mar 25 12, 7:18 am PDT

146
Self-sufficiency.
karen
Mar 25 12, 1:27 pm PDT

147
Thank you for your clarity and simplicity. My word for this year seems to come down to RENEWAL and all that that means on many levels – abracadabra (I create as I speak (think)).
I need to remember not get overwhelmed by these many levels – but maybe think of it like a recipe, many ingredients with many textures and aspects, combined with wisdom and experience, ingenuity and creativity and a discerning fearlessness – and a faith in knowing that life is nature and nature is all about renewal.

Thank you for providing this guide in cooking one’s life.
Tina L.
Mar 25 12, 5:34 pm PDT

148
Hey Tina! So after reading your article, i did the suggested exercise and my theme for this year is going to be healthy: a physical and mental sense of energy within my body that makes me feel good.

=D thank you for this post, it was really fun to do and i hope my healthy themed year will go smoothly.
Michelle
Mar 25 12, 9:31 pm PDT

149
Reading what you guys write always give me a sense of peace and security. Thanks!
Lawrence

Mar 26 12, 7:53 am PDT

150
Thanks Tina for the great perspective and very useful and practical tips to goal setting. More people should read this and benefit from it. May you receive and enjoy “Balance”. Cheers!

Abundance be with me :)
Stacey Breeden
Mar 29 12, 9:48 am PDT

151
A one word theme to tie my year’s goals to is exactly what I need to remained focus. As my son prepares to head to college in the next 2 years I’ve been questioning what I will do with all my free time upon his departure. My one word theme for this year is ADVENTURE. I’m trying new things, meeting new people, traveling, and putting my self out there. It’s easy to identify myself as a mom, but you lose your individuality often when you don’t explore life in a way that is fulfilling to your entire being. So…2012 is a year of adventure. Along the way I hope to meet new people, explore new cultures, and begin to build my life after my son leaves home.
Estelle

Mar 29 12, 9:51 am PDT

152
Our word for 2012 is “order”. There’s alot of freedom in putting things in their proper order. :)
Sarah
Mar 29 12, 9:51 am PDT

153
Great article… I’m trying the art of simply focussing on one thing over multi-tasking whenever possible though easier said then done, and being present. I love the idea of thinking and creating my theme over these lofty goals as I’ll only lose such goals. I at least recognize this and am okay with this. I simply want simplicity. Thank you for this.
Meredith L.
Mar 29 12, 10:06 am PDT

154
Wonderful piece!
Sheila

Mar 29 12, 10:25 am PDT

155
‘Art’
Meaning I want my life back on the creative, imaginative path filled with art and the love that art brings out of everyone I meet.
I want to work in a more creative field and I want to touch people with what I do.

Thanks for the reminder. I’m sure even though you didn’t accomplish many things on your New Year’s list, you probably did a lot of amazing things.
Coco
Mar 29 12, 10:28 am PDT

156
Thanks to this post I came up with the word: CONFIDENCE.
I followed the steps you said. I did not even allow myself to continue on until I had this concrete word in my brain. :)

I say Confidence because I want to fearlessly face the world without doubts. I have this attitude of checking things twice just to see if they are right or accurate, and have been using the backspace a lot not allowing myself to express the thoughts I really wanna say.

Confidence is my goal. It’s for my self esteem, for my studies and for everything. Because of you I see that I can branch this simple word to everything I want to happen. So once again thank you so much Tina.
Laura J
Mar 29 12, 10:39 am PDT

157
Love it! Thanks for the great read. ‘Peace’ is usually my theme but in order to get there FOCUS must come first:)
Mairéad
Mar 29 12, 10:54 am PDT

158
This is wonderful. Nearly 3 months into 2012 and one word comes to me, over and over again: FREEDOM. So simple yet so elusive – that’s my goal.
Joanne Hepburn

Mar 29 12, 11:23 am PDT

159
Love this blog, makes me feel that the future is far brighter than I was falsely accusing it from not being. I feel far better equipped to have a more positive outlook and educated opinion over it no excuses either. Thank you
Penelope

Mar 29 12, 12:13 pm PDT

160
My one word theme is “magical”. My goal is to take on more creative/artistic endeavors and for me to be able to block out my self-doubt and any negativity I need to remember what it was like when I was younger and tap into that openness, when everything was so magical!
Suzi Murad

Mar 29 12, 2:24 pm PDT

161
My one word is: HOPE!

It’s the way I have found to seek (and sometimes find!) clarity in my life. It keeps me upright and seeking joy on a daily basis.

I truly enjoy your blog, and hope (ah, there’s that word again!) you find the balance you seek!

Blessings,
Suzi
Diane
Mar 29 12, 6:17 pm PDT

162
recharge.
I feel like I spend so much time during the week distracted and busy, like everyone else. But I want to spend quality time nourishing my mind, body, relationships. Recharging for myself can be done in limitless ways. Reading a book, walking, crafting, meditating and once I feel recharged it helps the rest of day with family, friends and co-workers feel like better interactions.
Mayan
Mar 29 12, 7:11 pm PDT

163
It took me awhile to figure this out, but my one word theme for 2012: discipline. I know what I need to work on this year in order to become the person I want to be… but I need to have the discipline to stay on track and stay focused.

One of my favorite quotes is from Jim Rohn:
Failure is a few errors in judgement repeated everyday.
Success is a few simple disciplines practiced everyday.

Thanks for your blog and all the positivity you put out into the world!
Tom Atkins

Mar 30 12, 8:31 am PDT

164
I spend a lot of my time helping people move their lives and work to a simpler place, and your idea of a theme is so much better than a goal-ridden life. A superb post I will be referring people to for a long time!
Melissa
Mar 30 12, 9:05 am PDT

165
Hello Tina,

just saw your post on facebook and came here, somewhat intrigued. I can’t believe I didn’t see this post earlier! It is just … well, maybe one of the most powerful articles I have seen here for a while. And we can all relate to it.

My word for 2012 is “music”. Because I am 25, and I’ve been hiding from my real true passion since I am 6 years old. I want to show to the world who I really am. It’s now or now.
And I am sure that, necklace or not, I will manage this, sure easier with this powerful insight. Thanks for putting it all together and share it with us.

Good luck everyone for your own quest ! :)
Tracy
Mar 30 12, 12:37 pm PDT

166
I love that you are getting back to balance and simplicity! It’s key really. I have been known to take on too much and then miss out on all the good stuff like yoga, waking up early, feeling refreshed in the mornings… Balance is a great word for 2012! I just might use it myself. :-)
Kim
Mar 30 12, 12:38 pm PDT

167
My theme this year is creative. Thanks for chance to win!
carrie weber
Mar 30 12, 12:39 pm PDT

168
very thought provoking! thanks for the article!
denise r quintino
Mar 30 12, 12:41 pm PDT

169
Joy. That’s it. Pure and simple. I want to feel it, express, it, live it.
Each day I remind myself that there is joy in my work, in my play, and yes, even in struggle. My goal is to maintain a high vibration and prioritize my pleasures so to attract more abundance in my life.
Thank you for providing a forum in which to say this out loud.
:)
Robin McCain
Mar 30 12, 12:56 pm PDT

170
One word: Hope. During this time of of great personal loss and change, I strive to be forever hopeful and grateful for all of life’s blessings.
Rose - The Center of My Self

Mar 30 12, 12:57 pm PDT

171
What a fabulous post! I really like the way that you broke down the problems with resolutions; very valid examination. And the questions to pose to find our own themes. Although I’m not much for “putting things in boxes” (it narrows their definition for me and doesn’t allow for expansion and change; I know, I’m too literal), I’ve been sensing this overall theme in my life lately of re-invention, this urge to be more creative and in that, to create vital new changes in my life. I have several friends in their 50s who are re-inventing their lives, moving to new places, starting new ventures, developing new relationships. There’s an excitement about this time in life and all the opportunities that are manifesting!
Christina Vescovo

Mar 30 12, 1:04 pm PDT

172
I am totally focused on the type of people I keep company with now. My life would not be as great as if it were not for my family, friends and the people I work with.
Kristin Harrington
Mar 30 12, 1:14 pm PDT

173
Love this post. Balance is a wonderful, and much needed for most, goal.
Trish
Mar 30 12, 1:48 pm PDT

174
Sadly, my list is the same year after year – and never have I accomplished it. I like the idea of working with a single theme.
Adrienne McCleary
Mar 30 12, 1:55 pm PDT

175
Love your words of wisdom … You make me think and smile:)
Thank you
Tracy Longley
Mar 30 12, 2:04 pm PDT

176
Peace.
Karthik

Mar 30 12, 2:07 pm PDT

177
Appreciated the one word concept and Balance in life is very much essential to keep everthing in place and setting a goal will really help in achieving this.
Pamela Henderson
Mar 30 12, 2:16 pm PDT

178
This is a fantastic article, and very helpful. My word also happens to be balance, although I wasn’t entirely certain what exactly that meant to me. I just instinctively knew that I needed and wanted more balance in my life. Now I have some tools (thank you!!!) to help me gain clarity on my definition.
Patty
Mar 30 12, 2:22 pm PDT

179
My one-word theme is for this year? Light.

Eat light. Get outside into the light everyday. Let the light of love into my heart. :)
Sheena
Mar 30 12, 2:31 pm PDT

180
“Growth” with the birth of our beautiful daughter just a couple of days before the start of the new year it was clear to me what my focus for 2012 will be. Supporting the growth of this little person, embracing the growth of us all as a family and being gentle and understanding towards both my husband and myself as we grow into parenthood. Thank you for the wonderful article Tina ?
Patty
Mar 30 12, 2:38 pm PDT

181
My one-word theme is for this year? LIGHT.

Eat light, get outside everyday into the light, tread lightly on the Earth, and let the light of love fill your heart. :)
Leah Cournoyer

Mar 30 12, 2:43 pm PDT

182
Fabulous!!!
Taruna Goel
Mar 30 12, 2:44 pm PDT

183
Tina, Thanks for a wonderful post. Thank you for reminding us how much we already have in our life that is worth cherishing.

My one-word theme for this year is ‘INTEGRATE’. Integration is a powerful word. Integration means to bring together. It is an act of combining or adding parts to make a unified whole.

This year has been instrumental in my life and in the life of my family. We moved across continents; from India to Canada. During the year, I (re)learned many things. I learned to respect my goals and love my dreams and constantly fuel them with positive energy and resilience. I learned that whatever I set my mind to, it is possible for me to achieve it. I learned to plan for change and accept when things don’t go my way. But most importantly, I learned to integrate.

At both a personal and professional level, there have been integration of various kinds. At a personal level, my partner and I integrated all our thoughts, efforts and resources towards our common goal. At a professional level, I have been able to integrate into unrestricted and equal association with my organization. At a social level, we are trying to integrate with the new country and community.

So thanks for helping me develop my one-word theme for this year. I wish you and your readers good luck with their themes!
obul
Mar 30 12, 2:46 pm PDT

184
Joyfull.. I dont think we/I need anything else in the life, whatever we do is only just to be joyful . But I/we forget that and look around for something and didnt know what are we doing and for what.. so my theme is to just remember I am here to be joyfull , that thought make me pleasent and others and surrondings :
Shannon
Mar 30 12, 6:19 pm PDT

185
Great article
Ina Kvarsvik
Mar 30 12, 11:32 pm PDT

186
My word for this year is progress :) After years of stagnation, years of being held back by fear, I want 2012 to be the year when I move on to the next level and really embrace my power :)
Cheryl K Rumnong
Mar 31 12, 8:00 am PDT

187
Enjoyed reading the piece. We tend to forget New Year resolutions,But this year i had decided i really need a change,i must stop being a victim and had so chosen “Abundance”.life in all it’s abundance…..Reading your piece just reinforced my flagging enthusiasm. I stumbled on this piece..almost as if i was being helped and reminded.Abundance …truly, it exists and can help me get where i aim to go Thanks for your article. It was a godsend.
I am following abundance, practicing it ,growing in it.
Anuja
May 15 12, 6:46 am PDT

188
wow I felt very much inspired! Thank you so much ! Now I’m sure I’m going to have really much better and happy years ahead!Thanks a lot once again!!!!!!!!
Mamta
Sep 03 12, 12:14 am PDT

189
Dear Tina Su,
It was indeed a wonderful experience to discover my self with the help of this questionnaire. I have done this and am trying to understand my true self and purpose of my life. My one-word theme for the current year is Happiness. And to me it means doing any of the things Iam supposed to do with a happy state of mind. Thanks and lots of love and blessings to you.
Thomas Di Leva

Jan 07 13, 5:04 am PDT

190
Thanks for a very inspiring blogpost!
When I think of 2013… Three words comes into my mind:
1. Oneness
2. Harmony
3. Peace
Tina
Jan 27 13, 3:43 am PDT

191
My word of 2013 Tina, is “Move”. It will help me quit my procranstinating habit and elevate my determination and persistance.
Thank you so much for your article that is beyond time and place. It seems to work at 2012, it will certainly work for 2013 and more years to come!!
Ngozi
Mar 08 13, 9:30 am PDT

192
Thank you for this. My word for this year will be Resilience

Your Thoughts?

Add A Comment

We'd love to hear them! Please share:

Trackbacks (0)

Think Simple Now. Happiness and Happy Life