Word of the Year

If you decided to choose one word or idea to give you inspiration in the year ahead, what would it be?

Debra Dane, the wonderfully creative, energetic, and passionate artist at the helm of Inner Compass Designs has invited me to contribute some guided journaling materials to the Word of the Year Facebook Group she has created for 2016. She has been an amazing supporter and source of wisdom since we crossed paths years ago over the internet, and I jumped at the opportunity to work with her. I'll be creating some special pages, starting in April, to give group members a fun way to check in with their words and their progress throughout the year.

When I took a good look at my goals for the year, I knew exactly what my word would be: growth.

This year, I am working toward increasing the number and variety of journal products in my shop, increasing my reach, and ultimately, toward increasing my income, both through the shop and through consultation outside of the shop. In order to achieve the targets I've set, I'll need to grow in other ways as well -- as a business person, as a journaler, as a collaborator, as a parent and partner with a lot on her plate, and probably in a whole bunch of other ways I haven't considered.

What I like about the word growth, in addition to the idea of increasing in size, are its other inherent attributes. It is incremental, which is a wonderful way to pursue one's goals, and it involves development, which I'll definitely need to engage in along the way as challenges become ever more complex and require more creative solutions.

Journaling will be a huge part of my year of growth. Setting goals, developing strategies for facing challenges, checking in to gauge my progress, celebrating my successes, gathering resources -- these subjects will all find their way into my journal, my handy tool for positive action.

Debra's Word of the Year group is open to anyone who'd like to try their hand at choosing a guiding word for the year and share the support of others who have chosen their own inspirational words. If that sounds like your cup of tea, hop on over and check it out! She has a whole roster of fabulous contributors lined up and a schedule filled with creative activities.

So, if you could choose a guiding word to inspire you in the year ahead (or the month ahead, or even for today), what would it be?