100+ My Three Words #MyThreeWords Posts 2012 - Inspired by Chris Brogan

You are a gift. Every day people have the power to touch lives of those around them. Whether it is in a hug between parent and child, the smile from the barista at the coffee shop, volunteers giving out food to the needy, or someone holding the elevator door - we all form parts of this tapestry of life, we all hold gifts in our every day presence.

I've never been much for New Year's resolutions, but a recent newsletter from Chris Brogan inspired me to pick and write about 3 words that will define my 2012. For more information, check out Chris's post here. These are my words: Serve - I will share my learned knowledge with anyone I can.

Every year since around 2006, I've been challenging people to forego the idea of a resolution, and instead, to come up with 3 words that will help you define your goals and experiences for the coming year. Resolutions are often too vague, or too directed towards one goal.

Last year, I read a blog post by Chris Brogan about selecting three words with which to theme the year. Instead of a list of resolutions that will surely be broken by January 15, finding three words or themes for the year provide a fluidity to life with a some basis for grounded decision making.

A little over a year ago I finally got off my ass and started a blog. This blog. In January last year, I stumbled across a post from my dear friend Margie Clayman where she set forth her focus areas for 2011. Apparently, Chris Brogan began this trend a few years ago, and it resonated with me.

If you follow Chris Brogan, you know that each year he chooses three words to focus on each year, rather than making resolutions.  It’s a really nice tradition, and a great way to focus your mind on what you really want to achieve in the coming year, rather than making a resolution that you have little intention of keeping.

Continuing with a tradition that is now several years old, in 2012 I'll again focus on my three words. The value of mindful focus into a narrow niche has been powerful, more so than any goal setting theory I've tried throughout my life.

For 2012, I've decided that I don't need to reinvent the wheel. Last year, I picked out 3 little words-crayons, velcro, and abandon-to guide my business. The whole point was to keep me focused on moving forward, while giving myself permission to take risks again. And to have fun and be creative.

The first week of every month during 2012 will feature a post about Connecting with Self. This first week of the first month of the year is the perfect time to be more introspective than usual. I am not at all inclined to introspection, but as I grow older, I am realizing how important it is.

Original photo by: Elena Martinello The turn of the year is a paradoxical time, filled to varying degrees with the relaxation of a quiet week packed with holidays, alongside the feverish preparation for a running start to the New Year. We excitedly plan out resolutions for everything from better health to increased productivity.