Zanae Ari

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU THE POWER OF ONE WORD By Zanae Ari Riddle: There are three birds on a telephone line. One decides to fly away. How many birds are left? (The first time I heard this riddle I was so sure of answer and I was wrong!) Answer: There are three birds left on the line. One DECIDED to fly away. He just made up his mind, but he did not do anything with his decision. 2019 is almost here!! For many people the start of a new year is a chance to reset, refresh, and refocus, but the start of a new year is not always a happy time for everyone. A new year may leave you wondering what the future will hold or even wondering "where did the time go?" when reflecting upon your "unmet" goals or visions. If you are anything like me, I have said " I am going to do this.." or "I am going to do that.." but when I looked up in six months I was still standing in the same spot frustrated and discouraged that the pieces did not fall together. I am not saying you should not have New Year's resolutions or set up a specific vision or plan for the new year or your life in general. But lets face it, sometimes we have too many goals, dreams, or decisions we have decided to do but there is no "real" action or focus to achieve it. We know all the lingo about how to create SMART goals or even how to develop a 10 step plan to achieving success, but as my husband would say "Vision is what you see and mission is how you get there." (Companies and organizations have a vision and mission statement, so why shouldn't our lives have them too. This year, I cannot tell you how many times I decided that I was going to make more healthy lifestyle/eating choices ( I think the count for this goal is now at 85). I purchased (and cancelled) two gym memberships, skipped out on accountability in reaching my health goals, and justified to myself why it was okay to eat a generous amount of Christmas cookies with my family (because Christmas cookies are not the same as everyday cookies...yeah right). INSPIRED | 24 "VISION IS WHAT YOU SEE AND MISSION IS HOW YOU GET THERE." All of this, coupled with the goals in other areas of my life, left me feeling a little discouraged. Nevertheless, I am taking a step back to recalibrate my perspective and get back in the race better equipped. Two years ago, my colleague shared with me a concept from the book "My One Word" by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. She used the concept with her students as they returned back to school from winter break. Essentially, the lesson was centered around students individually developing and writing one word on an index card that represents their focus or motivator for the year. Simple right? Well, I decided to create my own before presenting this new lesson to my students. My word that year was relational and the next year was intentional. My focus was to get out of my comfort zone and fear to build relationships with others. The following days, I taught the lesson and the feedback from my students was incredible. I added a short writing pieces because yes this is English class! I say all of this to share a key nugget: Write it (your goals, dreams, visions) down even if it is one word. This year instead of deciding and making up your mind to do something, write it down, draw it out, or do something to get it out of your mind. Hang it up in a place you can see it. Give legs to your vision/dream by planning it out. Be honest with yourself about where you are and where you would like to be. Get accountability that is not afraid to call you out to call you up! Let that one word be your motivator and focus. My word this coming year is do (the story behind it is long), but I encourage you to take some quiet time and write your vision/goals/dreams down. Enter tomorrow with a figurative blueprint. It is never too late. Feel free to share what your one word would be and why you chose that specific word. My favorite book (The Bible) says "Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it 3 For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end, and will not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and not delay.…" Habakkuh 2:2 (emphasis added) INSPIRED | 25