3 Words to Guide Your Year • 2018

In 2014 I adopted the annual exercise of coming up with Just 3 Words for the year. “Just 3 Words” provide a compass, a way to keep yourself on the path of your choosing. The start of a new year and recommitting to live a life unfettered is a perfect time to set one’s focus and direction.

This approach provides guideposts for our journey, flexibility for where and how they can be applied, and serve as quick reference points to be used when making decisions during the year. For instance, if a project or opportunity does not align with at least two of my three words, then it is probably not good for me.

Consider Your 3 Words

No matter what words you choose for the year ahead, make sure they are ones that will help you tell the story of your life and the way you want to lead it. Pick words that will guide and influence choices and decisions you will encounter. Consider words that reinforce commitments and changes you will make. Identify words that encompass the big picture and the various roles in your life to expand their usefulness and impact. Use these words as the pillars of your decision-making and your choices.

My Past 3 Words …

In 2014, my words were “Embrace, Discipline, and Elastic.” EMBRACE was about fully embracing what God has entrusted to me. I wanted to more wholly accept and appreciate what I have in my life, and not what I have not. DISCIPLINE applied to multiple areas of my life. ELASTIC was being flexible and stretchy — trusting that things will bounce back when stretched.
In 2015, my words were “Delight, Vigilant, and Reduce.” DELIGHT was about taking great pleasure in what I have — to fully “delight” and relish my vocation of unfettering — in all my roles, without requiring perfection. VIGILANT was about paying attention, staying awake, being fully present and mindful and not allowing busyness, uncertainty, need for approval, discord drag me down. And REDUCE was centered on the “less is more” mindset. Simplify. Get smaller. Reduction = production!
In 2016, my words were “Trust, One, and Docile.” TRUST God in all things and “All shall be well.” ONE was about ONE day / moment / thing at a time and ONE life to live. And DOCILE was a willingness to learn and grow, ready to accept control and instruction.
In 2017, my words were “Humility, Accept, Unsubscribe.” HUMILITY was about releasing my belief that I have to meet all expectations by my own ability, which leads to pride, self-reliance, and confidence that I can carry the burden alone. I wanted to intentionally ACCEPT those things that I cannot change or are not mine to change. And finally, UNSUBSCRIBE from various inflows, distractions, habits, thoughts, and practices that no longer serve me.