My One Word!

My interest was peaked with an email from our assistant pastor at church.  What is this "One Word" that everyone is talking about?  Then I open Twitter, as I do every day, and there it was again... #myoneword to start off the new year right.  It's not a New Years Resolution, so what is it? 

I found the Audible version of the book, One Word that will Change Your Life by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon.  It was only about an hour and a half long, so I listed to it on my way to visit family for the holidays.  Basically, instead of creating a list of goals and resolutions that's a mile long, they give you the steps to find one word that should be your "driving force" for the year.
No goals, resolutions, or wish lists. Just one word!
It doesn't have to be a New Years type of thing, you can do this anytime.  The new year just seemed like a natural time to start since I really felt like I needed a new focus to get me through the rest of the school year and into the next.  

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The steps below are from My One Word, check it out to find your own word. 

Step 1: Determine the kind of person you want to become.

I want to worry less about what others think of me or things I create/share, since that's something I can't control.  I need to procrastinate less and be more strategic when accomplishing tasks.  I need to prioritize better and multi-task less.  I use to think multi-tasking was a good trait, now I'm starting to think it's counter productive. 
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Step 2: Identify the characteristics of that person. 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People summarizes those traits best!
So this is my next book to re-read... 

1. Proactive
2. Begin with the end in mind
3. Put first things first * My focus
4. Think Win-Win
5. Seek first to understand, then to be understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw​

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Step 3: Pick a word!

So many words are relevant, but the 7 Habits are the ones that stood out the most.  In order to be that highly effective person, I have to finish what I start.  Of course, I need to prioritize first, so I need to "Put first things first" and FINISH them.  
While I was reflecting on 2017, some of the things that I didn't accomplish were the big projects or goals I had.  These should have been my priority, but they are also the most time consuming.  

​My Next Steps

1. Pull out and re-read my 7 Habits book so I can integrate those strategies into my daily routine.
2. Think every morning... FINISH what I start! 
3. Review my day every evening to make sure I'm finishing what I start, if not, check and adjust for a new day. 
4. Keep connecting with the professionals I've grown to respect in my PLN (especially Twitter) to keep me motivated to reach my goals and live my word! ​

​What is your word? #myoneword2018 or #oneword

I'd love to hear what your word is! 
​Leave a comment or connect with me @specialtechie on Twitter.