After reading Chris Brogan’s post last year on three words replacing the traditional New Year’s Resolutions I was hooked.  I picked Acceleration, Mindfulness, and Learning as my three words.  I feel like they served me well throughout the year.

This year I have three words which are going to take my life and my family to the next level.  Over the next three days I want to share them with you and more about what they are going to mean for me this year.  I totally agree with Chris when he says “Resolutions are often too vague, or too directed towards one goal. It might be “quit smoking” or “lose 20 pounds” or “get hired.” These are all fine aspirations, but I challenge you to dig deeper, to find three words that could be used as lighthouses to guide you through stormy seas, that can be used as flags on the battlefield of your challenges, words that will bolster you and give you a direction that goes beyond the goals you might attach as a result of these words.”  

So I have dug deep and I have prayed about and pondered what my three words will be for 2012.  I will also take some action steps to properly executing and keeping focus on my words.  I hope to have month-long goals but some might be longer and others shorter.

My 3 Words for 2012 are:

1.  Simplify –  For a long time this word was actually focus.  Basically I have “too much” in my life.  Too much paper, too many responsibilities, too many committees, too much clutter in my head, and in my heart.  I feel the daily pressure upon my life to get everything done.  Some of this is self-inflicted and other of it comes from external sources. So one goal is to simplify every aspect of my life.

2.  Share — There are many ways I want to execute on this word.  First I want to control what I share and how I share it.  I am very involved in social media, and I feel like I don’t have any control over it.  I am a very early adapter in new social media sites — but I don’t have a plan when it comes to social media.  I want to define FOR ME how to use social media most effectively and consistently.  I want to use what is out there in managing my social media and help others do the same.

3.  Balance -  I probably can make this a word almost every year!  Somewhat connected with simplify, I need to find balance in my life.  Balance between scripture I read for work vs scripture I read for devotion.  Balance between work, fun and family.  Balance in my health, my finances, my time spent in the world of the internet and the world of life.  Throughout the year I am going to challenge myself to take a look at my life in a deep and critical way and make some choices.

There you have it!  Please share with me any resolutions you have for 2012!