What is “One Little Word?”
Started by Ali Edwards back in 2006, the idea is that instead of setting a long, complicated list of new years resolutions, you just pick a single word that inspires you in multiple facets of your life. You can post that one word in prominent places to remind and motivate you to work on improvements that fall under that category. You can find out more information on Ali Edward’s website here.
I’ve participated several times… some of my past words were: Shine, Refine, Trust, Focus, and Grace.
My word for this year: Consistent
Normally, it takes me a couple weeks to narrow down the specific word that I’m going to live with for the next year, but this year… it came to me really quickly. Sounds cliche, but life just keeps getting busier and busier. I keep waiting for a “slower season” but it doesn’t really ever come. So, I decided that there are some things that I just need to make CONSISTENT in my life to nourish my soul, maintain my house, and feed my creativity.
For me, CONSISTENT doesn’t mean I’m striving for perfection in my to-do lists each day. It means trying to do a few simple things *most days* to keep the momentum going. So, I will have a “Perfect Week To-Do List” but likely it will never all happen in one week. It is just kind of a standard to keep coming back to and staying focused. My goal at the end of the year is to have picked up a few more good habits and be “pretty good” at completing those things most days.
This One Little Word thing is supposed to keep things simple. For now, I’ve decided to focus on these 3 things:
- My new daily house routine: 1 load of laundry per day, load the dishwasher at night + unload it in the morning, and doing a speed tidy with the whole family before bedtime.
- Reading to my kids at night before bed. (We have really gotten out of the habit!)
- Discuss a scripture at dinner time with family.
I have brainstormed a list of other ideas I would love to implement, but I’ve got to keep it small so I don’t get overwhelmed. (In fact, starting with 3 things might have been too big of a step, but I’ll have to try it out and evaluate. Here are some other things I’m considering working on being more consistent in this year:
- social media – I’m thinking a monthly round up
- spiritual habits
- spending more time outside (have you heard of 1000 Hours Outside?)
- setting a bedtime + wake time for myself
- date nights with my hubby
- family fun – either game nights or actually using our Family Adventure Book
- reaching out to individual friends or planning get togethers
What about you?
Do you set goals in January? How do you go about doing it? What method is your favorite?
View comments
+ Leave a comment