Before jumping into 2018’s word, it’s worth taking a minute to reflect on my word for 2017 and how it affected my work and life.
2017’s word of the year was: CONNECTION
I’d say the nail was hit on the head with this one!
Connection with Clients.
I made some wonderful connections with my clients… in life and in design thinking. The connections with my clients helped me to expand my mind not only in the value in the products they offer but also in how I can help them in different ways. Each client arrived with different design problems to solve and I learned how to adapt and resolve technical aspects of each.
Connection with My Values.
I connected closer with what my values actually are (now I’m clear on which ones are most important) and learned the ways I wanted to move forward and spend my time -- especially while away from my loving daughter while in daycare.
Connection with Others.
Most importantly, I connected with the ladies in an online community. More self-driven, super smart women who understand and share my mindset around business. Goal-setters, business-starters and creative individuals. They have expanded my way of thinking in using the internet to connect and for that, I am truly grateful.
2018 Word of the Year: STRENGTH
For me, this word means a lot of different things.
Strength in my body.
My muscles need a makeover. Does that mean running 100 miles/day? No. (Pretty sure my knee won’t have it.) It means strengthening my muscles AND my mind. Practicing yoga and/or pilates and to breathe. The few times I’ve meditated in the last year has resulted in a day of weird yet satisfying calm.
When I was a ‘runner’ and ‘a kickboxer’ and even further back ‘a dancer’ and ‘a cheerleader’ my muscles were strong. I would like to get a little of that back… but after baby it needs to be in a new way. But also give me strength to carry another.
Strength to stand up for my values…of integrity, authenticity, gratitude and making a difference.
2017 has shown me that I am capable of standing up for myself and my feelings AND my work. Though difficult conversations have left me feeling drained and super vulnerable, I learned that yes, I can be who I am and stand up for what I believe in.
Strength to meet new people and to nurture my relationships.
To step out of my comfort zone and connect with REAL people. To share more time with my husband. To be strong in showing my little lady that she can do the hard feelings… with love.
Seeking to share the work of an entrepreneur in a more beautiful way needs my confidence in making art and in design thinking. This type of thinking has previously lead to wonderful relationships with super smart business owners. I cannot wait to see what it will bring in 2018!
Do you have a word of the year? I would love to hear about it in the comments or join this discussion with me on instagram!