As this year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting and also making lists of what I want to accomplish next year.  I love to make lists: lists of goals, accomplishments, dreams and groceries. I have paper and Evernote notebooks filled with these lists. While these goals are useful, focus is an even more powerful tool. My New Year’s hack is to set a one-word theme for next year that will be my North Star.

Why pick a one-word theme? What’s wrong with a bunch of goals?

  • Our brains work best with clarity.
  • Especially in our culture of distraction, focus is a super-power.
  • It tells your sub-conscious what’s most important to you.

My theme word for next year is consistency. 

Why consistency?

I love novelty. I love juggling projects. I love beginnings.

I’m resistant to routine, which I used to think was because I was so “creative” and such a “rebel.” I don’t see it through the positive lens anymore. Habits are the structure of our lives. Without routine, we use up our will power making small decisions. We disperse our power and impact.

My default is to gather information. I’ve always considered myself something of a dilettante. I learn quickly. But mastering a new skill requires two things: 1. taking action and 2. dedicated practice.

Does this mean I won’t juggle projects this year? Hardly. My FI life means I can embrace lots of projects, instead of having a full-time job dominate my time.

Does it mean I won’t change or be flexible? Absolutely not. I embrace change and being open-minded consistently! But I’m going to apply my theme word to all of my projects, intentions and goals.

Consistency in action

So instead of trying a new exercise class, it’s doing it consistently, even if the exercise is small.

Instead of going to one meditation retreat, it’s practicing consistently every week, even for just a few minutes a day.

Instead of setting a goal like I did this year of just starting this blog (completed!), my goal is to publish consistently every week next year.

Instead of setting a goal of pages written in my novel, it’s setting the intention of writing three days a week, even if it doesn’t generate much. Just showing up. Consistently.

Next year, I plan to share my progress on my goals and how or if this theme-word has helped. I’d love to hear from you. What’s your theme word for next year? What helps you the most in setting and keeping goals and positive habits?

If you’re goal is to improve your finances next year, you may want to check out my post on Foundations of Financial Freedom or check out you rate in my Financial Check Up.  If meditation is a goal, you may interested in How and Why I Started Meditating.