My One Word For 2018

This might be cliché, but I don’t care: I’m not where I want to be but I’m glad I’m not where I used to be. Revising philosophies isn’t as scary as it used to be. (There’s one thing I fear more than anything else.) I’d like to believe that I’ve been changing my mind for the better. Sometimes I look back at things I’ve done and who I was, and wonder, “What was I thinking?”. I hope this is a good sign of maturing.

One of the signs of maturity can be change in belief systems. Our beliefs have profound impact on who we are and how we do life. I’m never going to get it right all the time, but I’m OK with that. One of the things I’ve changed my mind about, is new year’s resolutions. I used to think they were dumb. After a while I realised I was being a jerk. One of those things I look back at and wonder, “What was going on in this head of mine?”

Now I’ve also changed my mind about a hybrid of new year’s resolutions. I mean the “my one word for the year” movement. A more succinct and, in some way, more difficult way of setting a new year’s resolution or goal.

Some may find it easy. For the first time, after a while, I’ve been able to summarise my resolution and goals in one word.

Choosing My One Word For 2018

The difficulty in choosing had to do with finding a word that would be relevant to every aspect of my life, all the time. A seeming daunting task, at first. I thought about it for about eight weeks, which felt like an eternity.

The fun was in not thinking about it. I threw random words around and tried to see which would stick. It was a constant checking in with myself on the extent each word resonated. I already had an idea about what my one word would be. A verification process of sort.

Was this the word I wanted? Did it resonate?

I wanted a word that also captured my “up-in-your-faceness”. It had to fit. It had to be perfect. I don’t mean the word had to be perfect, as in the word is perfect but that the word I would choose needed to be perfect. Make sense?

Tha Word

I’ve drawn it out long enough, right? My one word for 2018 is, “Done”.

Done: Having finished or arrived at completion

I couldn’t find (or settle) for a better word. At least not in this “season.” I’ve had the privilege to be a part of many amazing initiatives over the years. Despite this, I still feel like there’s still so much opportunity to make a difference. I have more to give and want to live bigger and bolder.

With this come many responsibilities and opportunities. And, as we know, nothing happens on its own; impact can never be by accident. Intentionality is key. Doing what I should be doing is another critical key. This implies prioritising and making sure every detail gets the attention it deserves.

I’m not one for timid or subtle. “Done” is an aggressive word of note. An expression of accomplishment and seeing things through. Action and results. As my word for the year, in my head, it isn’t said with any timidity. It is the culmination of a savage resolve.

“Done” is also about pre-emptive action. Thinking through things and getting to the finish line, fast. Being nimble and in constant motion. Done, is also about sustained momentum. Progress without skipping a beat.

The last aspect of this word I’d like to appreciate, again, is the idea of completion. I know I have alluded to it but I want to highlight for one main reason. That reason is completion. Just that simple. Yes, maybe not. But there it is.

Done.

If you’re doing the “my one word for the year” thing, what’s your one word? If not, share your resolutions / goals / dream / aspirations — whatever you choose to call them. They matter.