By Jeff Beals
Now that it’s January 5th, I wonder how many New Year’s resolutions have already failed. Sadly, it’s probably a pretty big number.
I found myself pondering the frailty of those annual resolutions during services this morning as I listened my friend James Lindberg, pastor at Living Grace Lutheran church, put a spiritual spin on the changing from old year to New Year.
During his sermon, Lindberg highlighted the work of another pastor, Mike Ashcraft of Wilmington, N.C., coauthor of the book, “My One Word: Change Your Life with Just One Word.”
For years, Ashcraft has led thousands to abandon their many promises to change in favor of choosing just one word to be their focus for an entire year.
By selecting just one word, you clarify and simplify what you want to accomplish and who you want to become. As Ashcraft says, “This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life-change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.”
So how do you choose? It may be “just one word” but choosing a single word to represent your whole year can seem like a daunting task. Ashcraft advises you to follow three steps to arrive at your word:
Step One: Determine the type of person you want to become.
Step Two: Identify the characteristics of that person.
Step Three: Pick a word.
Some of the commonly chosen words include courage, focus, trust, faith, success, healthy, confidence…The list goes on and on.
“So what’s your one word for 2014?” That’s what Lindberg asked his congregants this morning. I thought about it and decided my word will be “discipline.”
Why discipline?
My reasons are many, but success – regardless of how you choose to define it – requires a constant commitment. It takes discipline. It’s not that I’m an undisciplined person; I just need more of it.
Once you have your word, write it down and post it in a prominent place. Look at that word and think about that word all year long.
I’m going to let my one word push me to be a better person this year and beyond.
Jeff Beals is a professional speaker and award-winning author, who helps professionals enjoy greater success through effective sales, marketing and personal branding techniques. He delivers energetic and humorous keynote speeches and workshops to audiences worldwide. To discuss booking a presentation, go to JeffBeals.com or email at info@jeffbeals.com or call us at (402) 637-9300.
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