January 5, 2008 54 Comments

My Three Words for 2008

bee Every year, I work on a personal framework for how I want to frame and then execute my actions. It’s not goal setting, because the goals can change. It’s not resolutions, because those are also end-states. Instead, these are ways to think that help me frame how I’m going to think about and then take action on what I’m faced with. Think of it as a set of tools that I will use to interpret and then interact with the world around me.

These are obviously personal. Yours would be different.

Believe, Loops, and Farm

Each word has more than one meaning to how I intend to use it. I do that on purpose. I think it’s tricky to remember too much at any one time, so I just want three words that act as “zip files” or icons for larger ideas. I can unpack the payload of the ideas for reinforcement, but I can also just use the words as reminders of all that I intend to accomplish through these words.

Believe

In the simplest form, I want to remind myself to believe in what I do. A little deeper, I want to use visualization to believe that things are what I wish them to be, and then construct my execution around these visions. For instance, when I approach getting a new job, I act as if I work for the target company already. I feel it in my belly. That makes me not waste time worrying whether I get the job. I’ve got the job. Instead, I use the conversation to uncover how well we’re going to work together. If it appears we won’t, maybe I’ll quit the job before the interview has even been completed.

There are other ways to unpack believe, but that’s all I’ll share for now.

Loops

Loops is a reminder on a lot of fronts. On one side, I have to realize the full circle of projects better. I have a lot of aptitude for starting things, but not as much to see them through to fully realized execution. In this coming year, I intend to better think out the “idea handles” I give my ideas, and make sure that other people pick up the ideas, and execute them to completion. I’m working with a team of professionals, and a team of eager learners. I simply need to present the full circle of my ideas, and make sure I check things out.

On another front, I need to close loops in my communication better. I can’t have 11 emails to make a meeting. I have to get it done in 2. Why? Because I’m processing over 600 emails a day right now (down to about 520 a day after turning off Twitter notifications of who’s following me). Loops reminds me to be wary of my communications loops.

Farm

This one is the noun and the verb. On one hand, I want to remember the “Law of the Farm,” that things take nurturing and that things need to be grown out of the mundane, the repetitive, and the carefully measured out moments of the passage of time. Because I’m a bit of a leap thinker, I get frustrated by this part of life, but I shouldn’t. Because it doesn’t change. Life progresses naturally, not at the pace I want.

On the other hand, I must be reminded to farm, to tend my gardens, to spend time in the fields, to consider what crops I’m cultivating, and why. What parts of my life matter to me and need tending, and which things need to be weeded out? Am I spending too much time in fields that don’t yield good return? Is there a marketplace for some of my efforts? How will I harvest?

Applying These Words

I’m carrying around a little note with all three words on them. I’ll have them posted on my laptop (when I get back home), and I’ll put them in a few key areas. Repetition of the message is important to me following my goals here. I’ll put them as a permanent visual so that I remember to pay attention to those three focal points.

As I go through decision making, I’ll work on improving my application of the three words to everything I’m passing through. For instance, if someone approaches me for a project, I’ll ask whether I believe in the endpoints. I’ll determine the full circle that needs to be in place if I implement the project, and I will consider whether this project will yield results, and what it will take to tend the project.

I’ve used 3 word tools since 2006, and have had year-after-year success. I’m not sharing my 3 words because YOU need to adopt the same words. I’m sharing the process, because you might find something useful in its telling.

What do you do to frame your thoughts? How do you decide things? What are your ideas on three words to guide your actions?

Photo credit, foxypar4

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  • http://factoryjoe.com/ Chris Messina

    These are great, Chris. I especially like “idea handles” (in loops) and considering which crops to cultivate (in farm). I also think that I could spend more time closing loops that I start since, like yourself, I seem good at getting things off the ground, but less good at keeping them in the air over sustained periods of time. ;)

    And, did you miss the #themeword mini-meme? Check it out:

    http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2008/01/02/kicking-off-2008-with-a-themeword/

  • http://factoryjoe.com/ Chris Messina

    These are great, Chris. I especially like “idea handles” (in loops) and considering which crops to cultivate (in farm). I also think that I could spend more time closing loops that I start since, like yourself, I seem good at getting things off the ground, but less good at keeping them in the air over sustained periods of time. ;)

    And, did you miss the #themeword mini-meme? Check it out:

    http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2008/01/02/kicking-off-2008-with-a-themeword/

  • http://factoryjoe.com/ Chris Messina

    These are great, Chris. I especially like “idea handles” (in loops) and considering which crops to cultivate (in farm). I also think that I could spend more time closing loops that I start since, like yourself, I seem good at getting things off the ground, but less good at keeping them in the air over sustained periods of time. ;)

    And, did you miss the #themeword mini-meme? Check it out:

    http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2008/01/02/kicking-off-2008-with-a-themeword/

  • http://www.volunteersforchange.ca Glenda

    Thanks for the post. Actually comments you made about it before prompted me to do the same. Although I have created a word a month theme to focus on what I really want and need to work on for that month.

    Love the concept of “farm”. Think we can all use it in our lives and relationships.

    I wish you an amazing 2008!

  • http://www.volunteersforchange.ca Glenda

    Thanks for the post. Actually comments you made about it before prompted me to do the same. Although I have created a word a month theme to focus on what I really want and need to work on for that month.

    Love the concept of “farm”. Think we can all use it in our lives and relationships.

    I wish you an amazing 2008!

  • http://www.volunteersforchange.ca Glenda

    Thanks for the post. Actually comments you made about it before prompted me to do the same. Although I have created a word a month theme to focus on what I really want and need to work on for that month.

    Love the concept of “farm”. Think we can all use it in our lives and relationships.

    I wish you an amazing 2008!

  • http://wffrederick.com/blog/ Bill Frederick

    Thanks for the great idea Chris. I like your concept of coming up with a ‘personal framework’ to help execute actions. Mind if I ‘steal’ one of yours? Loops … I also have an aptitude for starting things and not following through on them.

    I never heard of the ‘Law of the Farm’ before. It sounds a lot like Jim Rohn’s ‘Seasons of Life’ though … plant in the spring, nurture in the summer, harvest in the fall, plan during the winter.

    My other two words are create and share.

  • http://wffrederick.com/blog/ Bill Frederick

    Thanks for the great idea Chris. I like your concept of coming up with a ‘personal framework’ to help execute actions. Mind if I ‘steal’ one of yours? Loops … I also have an aptitude for starting things and not following through on them.

    I never heard of the ‘Law of the Farm’ before. It sounds a lot like Jim Rohn’s ‘Seasons of Life’ though … plant in the spring, nurture in the summer, harvest in the fall, plan during the winter.

    My other two words are create and share.

  • http://www.wellnesscoach.com Erica Ross-Krieger

    I absolutely love your thinking here…not just about the idea of choosing 3 words, but that you shared YOUR 3 words, which are fabulous.

    “Cultivate” is one of mine this year – cultivate relationships, grow my current “business crops”, etc. Not unlike your “Farm” idea. I’d like to borrow the “Believe” word if that’s okay…I have been using “Act as if” for my own reminder of operating as if things I want were already in place, but the simplicity of the one word “Believe” is great.

    The section on Applying the words is helpful too, so this becomes grounded in practicality not just an idea. Thanks.

    But I am left wondering, Chris, what you would write in a section or follow-up post called “HOW to Discover your OWN 3 words”? “:)

  • http://www.wellnesscoach.com Erica Ross-Krieger

    I absolutely love your thinking here…not just about the idea of choosing 3 words, but that you shared YOUR 3 words, which are fabulous.

    “Cultivate” is one of mine this year – cultivate relationships, grow my current “business crops”, etc. Not unlike your “Farm” idea. I’d like to borrow the “Believe” word if that’s okay…I have been using “Act as if” for my own reminder of operating as if things I want were already in place, but the simplicity of the one word “Believe” is great.

    The section on Applying the words is helpful too, so this becomes grounded in practicality not just an idea. Thanks.

    But I am left wondering, Chris, what you would write in a section or follow-up post called “HOW to Discover your OWN 3 words”? “:)

  • http://wffrederick.com/blog/ Bill Frederick

    Thanks for the great idea Chris. I like your concept of coming up with a ‘personal framework’ to help execute actions. Mind if I ‘steal’ one of yours? Loops … I also have an aptitude for starting things and not following through on them.

    I never heard of the ‘Law of the Farm’ before. It sounds a lot like Jim Rohn’s ‘Seasons of Life’ though … plant in the spring, nurture in the summer, harvest in the fall, plan during the winter.

    My other two words are create and share.

  • http://www.wellnesscoach.com Erica Ross-Krieger

    I absolutely love your thinking here…not just about the idea of choosing 3 words, but that you shared YOUR 3 words, which are fabulous.

    “Cultivate” is one of mine this year – cultivate relationships, grow my current “business crops”, etc. Not unlike your “Farm” idea. I’d like to borrow the “Believe” word if that’s okay…I have been using “Act as if” for my own reminder of operating as if things I want were already in place, but the simplicity of the one word “Believe” is great.

    The section on Applying the words is helpful too, so this becomes grounded in practicality not just an idea. Thanks.

    But I am left wondering, Chris, what you would write in a section or follow-up post called “HOW to Discover your OWN 3 words”? “:)

  • http://www.ozameilleur.com Oza Meilleur

    Bonjour Chris!

    This plan of yours really resonates with me…I’m a great fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

    And being a very visual person, the 3-word plan is precise, to the point, and much easier to focus on than big long paragraphs.

    So I’m taking your idea and applying it to what TaggZilla had suggested, which is deciding on 3 priorities for 2008, then 3 priorities for the current month, and 3 priorities for the day.

    I’ve brought everything down to 3 priorities for the year…and then squeezed the juice out of them to come up with only 3 words, which are:

    1. Moment (to always be in it)

    2. Fun (to always have it)

    3. Action (to always take it)

    I didn’t go into the details for each, but the important thing is “I” understand what they mean to me. As you said, each person will come up with their own set of words.

    Thanks for sharpening my focus.

    Big hugs and lots of LOVE…plus a Happy New Magical Year to you,
    Mudd a.k.a. Oza
    xoxo

  • http://www.ozameilleur.com Oza Meilleur

    Bonjour Chris!

    This plan of yours really resonates with me…I’m a great fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

    And being a very visual person, the 3-word plan is precise, to the point, and much easier to focus on than big long paragraphs.

    So I’m taking your idea and applying it to what TaggZilla had suggested, which is deciding on 3 priorities for 2008, then 3 priorities for the current month, and 3 priorities for the day.

    I’ve brought everything down to 3 priorities for the year…and then squeezed the juice out of them to come up with only 3 words, which are:

    1. Moment (to always be in it)

    2. Fun (to always have it)

    3. Action (to always take it)

    I didn’t go into the details for each, but the important thing is “I” understand what they mean to me. As you said, each person will come up with their own set of words.

    Thanks for sharpening my focus.

    Big hugs and lots of LOVE…plus a Happy New Magical Year to you,
    Mudd a.k.a. Oza
    xoxo

  • http://www.ozameilleur.com Oza Meilleur

    Bonjour Chris!

    This plan of yours really resonates with me…I’m a great fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

    And being a very visual person, the 3-word plan is precise, to the point, and much easier to focus on than big long paragraphs.

    So I’m taking your idea and applying it to what TaggZilla had suggested, which is deciding on 3 priorities for 2008, then 3 priorities for the current month, and 3 priorities for the day.

    I’ve brought everything down to 3 priorities for the year…and then squeezed the juice out of them to come up with only 3 words, which are:

    1. Moment (to always be in it)

    2. Fun (to always have it)

    3. Action (to always take it)

    I didn’t go into the details for each, but the important thing is “I” understand what they mean to me. As you said, each person will come up with their own set of words.

    Thanks for sharpening my focus.

    Big hugs and lots of LOVE…plus a Happy New Magical Year to you,
    Mudd a.k.a. Oza
    xoxo

  • http://www.aidg.org/blog Cat Laine

    V cool idea. I have heard of companies doing this. There was article in Fast Company(?) about how Southwest’s actions all revolve around it’s position of being the “Low-cost airline”. Yeah, yeah yeah, we can do this but will it keep up the low-cost airline.

    My 3 words are home, boldness, and focus. The main one is home and the other are satellites.

  • http://www.aidg.org/blog Cat Laine

    V cool idea. I have heard of companies doing this. There was article in Fast Company(?) about how Southwest’s actions all revolve around it’s position of being the “Low-cost airline”. Yeah, yeah yeah, we can do this but will it keep up the low-cost airline.

    My 3 words are home, boldness, and focus. The main one is home and the other are satellites.

  • http://www.aidg.org/blog Cat Laine

    V cool idea. I have heard of companies doing this. There was article in Fast Company(?) about how Southwest’s actions all revolve around it’s position of being the “Low-cost airline”. Yeah, yeah yeah, we can do this but will it keep up the low-cost airline.

    My 3 words are home, boldness, and focus. The main one is home and the other are satellites.

  • Jeff Borden

    Fantastic! Well done Chris. I really like “Farm”.
    “Am I spending too much time in fields that don’t yield good return?” You hit the nail on the head. If people can do this effectively, you are on your way to success in a huge way. Its a major step and often a hard one. Success always to you!

    Best,
    Jeff

  • Jeff Borden

    Fantastic! Well done Chris. I really like “Farm”.
    “Am I spending too much time in fields that don’t yield good return?” You hit the nail on the head. If people can do this effectively, you are on your way to success in a huge way. Its a major step and often a hard one. Success always to you!

    Best,
    Jeff

  • http://www.hooversbiz.com/ Anonymous

    Excellent stuff, Chris. My favorite snippet: “Life progresses naturally, not at the pace I want.” Precisely — I have to remind myself to work WITH it, not (futilely) try to circumvent it.

    My own single word for 2008 = “decide”. Because we do make decisions all the time, but we don’t always admit/embrace the fact that we ARE making decisions. I’m keeping myself conscious of that one word so I’ll remember to be more conscientious about making decisions actively, rather than by default.

    All the best for 2008!

  • http://www.hooversbiz.com/ Anonymous

    Excellent stuff, Chris. My favorite snippet: “Life progresses naturally, not at the pace I want.” Precisely — I have to remind myself to work WITH it, not (futilely) try to circumvent it.

    My own single word for 2008 = “decide”. Because we do make decisions all the time, but we don’t always admit/embrace the fact that we ARE making decisions. I’m keeping myself conscious of that one word so I’ll remember to be more conscientious about making decisions actively, rather than by default.

    All the best for 2008!

  • http://hooversbiz.com Tim Walker

    Excellent stuff, Chris. My favorite snippet: “Life progresses naturally, not at the pace I want.” Precisely — I have to remind myself to work WITH it, not (futilely) try to circumvent it.

    My own single word for 2008 = “decide”. Because we do make decisions all the time, but we don’t always admit/embrace the fact that we ARE making decisions. I’m keeping myself conscious of that one word so I’ll remember to be more conscientious about making decisions actively, rather than by default.

    All the best for 2008!

  • Pingback: » My Three Words for 2008 New Years Resolutions: What’s your new years resolution?

  • http://communicatrix.com communicatrix

    I love whatever system people wind up hacking for themselves to help move towards goals (or to help move, period–change is hard!)

    I’ve been using a more complex system for a few years (Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler) b/c I love the process she takes you though, all backwards and forwards, to scoop up learning of the months past and use it to suss out where I really _want_ to spend my time/focus in the months forward.

    But one element is simple and elegant, and similar to your 3-words concept: the new paradigm. As part of the ferreting process, I come up with the ONE THING I BELIEVE, which, if I could change that belief, would have the most impact on my life.

    This year’s paradigm is “Help Is Everywhere.” Because it is, for one, and it’s high time I opened my eyes and heart to it. Because nothing happens (or nothing worthwhile) without some help: from friends, from strangers, from the universe.

    And of course, part of the reason I was able to arrive at this new paradigm is b/c of the help I’ve gotten from you, Chris–both specifically crafted for me and the incidentally-meant-for kind.

    So thank you. And if you need any help…

  • http://communicatrix.com communicatrix

    I love whatever system people wind up hacking for themselves to help move towards goals (or to help move, period–change is hard!)

    I’ve been using a more complex system for a few years (Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler) b/c I love the process she takes you though, all backwards and forwards, to scoop up learning of the months past and use it to suss out where I really _want_ to spend my time/focus in the months forward.

    But one element is simple and elegant, and similar to your 3-words concept: the new paradigm. As part of the ferreting process, I come up with the ONE THING I BELIEVE, which, if I could change that belief, would have the most impact on my life.

    This year’s paradigm is “Help Is Everywhere.” Because it is, for one, and it’s high time I opened my eyes and heart to it. Because nothing happens (or nothing worthwhile) without some help: from friends, from strangers, from the universe.

    And of course, part of the reason I was able to arrive at this new paradigm is b/c of the help I’ve gotten from you, Chris–both specifically crafted for me and the incidentally-meant-for kind.

    So thank you. And if you need any help…

  • http://communicatrix.com communicatrix

    I love whatever system people wind up hacking for themselves to help move towards goals (or to help move, period–change is hard!)

    I’ve been using a more complex system for a few years (Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler) b/c I love the process she takes you though, all backwards and forwards, to scoop up learning of the months past and use it to suss out where I really _want_ to spend my time/focus in the months forward.

    But one element is simple and elegant, and similar to your 3-words concept: the new paradigm. As part of the ferreting process, I come up with the ONE THING I BELIEVE, which, if I could change that belief, would have the most impact on my life.

    This year’s paradigm is “Help Is Everywhere.” Because it is, for one, and it’s high time I opened my eyes and heart to it. Because nothing happens (or nothing worthwhile) without some help: from friends, from strangers, from the universe.

    And of course, part of the reason I was able to arrive at this new paradigm is b/c of the help I’ve gotten from you, Chris–both specifically crafted for me and the incidentally-meant-for kind.

    So thank you. And if you need any help…

  • http://communicatrix.com communicatrix

    Oh–and I just learned about “unpack” from Grant McCracken:

    http://www.cultureby.com/trilogy/2007/12/holiday-essay-q.html

    and I LOVE that term. The BF and I have been using it all morning.

  • http://communicatrix.com communicatrix

    Oh–and I just learned about “unpack” from Grant McCracken:

    http://www.cultureby.com/trilogy/2007/12/holiday-essay-q.html

    and I LOVE that term. The BF and I have been using it all morning.

  • http://broadcasting-brain.com Mark Dykeman

    Handy way to drill those three key concepts, Chris.

    I’m kind of interested in “farming”, myself, particularly when it comes to the creative process and idea generation.

    I’ve not been really diligent about goal setting or “framing” my actions other than trying to follow some principles and common sense. The past few years have shown me that I might need to change my ways.

    I look forward to seeing how your three-word mantra works for you in 2008!

  • http://broadcasting-brain.com Mark Dykeman

    Handy way to drill those three key concepts, Chris.

    I’m kind of interested in “farming”, myself, particularly when it comes to the creative process and idea generation.

    I’ve not been really diligent about goal setting or “framing” my actions other than trying to follow some principles and common sense. The past few years have shown me that I might need to change my ways.

    I look forward to seeing how your three-word mantra works for you in 2008!

  • http://askbusinesscoach.wordpress.com courtney benson

    Chris -

    Excellent idea! I would add Stillness. Humans are moving so fast that they hardly take time to be. The focus on technology and our dependence on it, takes us away from ourselves (innerselves). It is important to take a break from all our actions each day and be still with no thought about actions.

  • http://askbusinesscoach.wordpress.com courtney benson

    Chris -

    Excellent idea! I would add Stillness. Humans are moving so fast that they hardly take time to be. The focus on technology and our dependence on it, takes us away from ourselves (innerselves). It is important to take a break from all our actions each day and be still with no thought about actions.

  • http://askbusinesscoach.wordpress.com courtney benson

    Chris -

    Excellent idea! I would add Stillness. Humans are moving so fast that they hardly take time to be. The focus on technology and our dependence on it, takes us away from ourselves (innerselves). It is important to take a break from all our actions each day and be still with no thought about actions.

  • http://maximumcustomerexperience.typepad.com/ Kelly

    Chris,

    I read your three words last year and thought they were perfect. This year’s are great, too.

    My personal inspiration for the last year or two is a short phrase: “It’s on its way.” I saw Wayne Dyer talk about the phrase on PBS: he suggested defining the “it” for yourself, and then working toward making the phrase happen rather than sitting back and expecting “it” to come to you. Good idea, and a very uplifting mantra if you mean “I’m making it be on its way” when you say it.

    I hope “it’s on its way” for you in the New Year.

    Regards,

    Kelly
    Check out the Maximum Customer Experience Blog!

  • http://maximumcustomerexperience.typepad.com/ Kelly

    Chris,

    I read your three words last year and thought they were perfect. This year’s are great, too.

    My personal inspiration for the last year or two is a short phrase: “It’s on its way.” I saw Wayne Dyer talk about the phrase on PBS: he suggested defining the “it” for yourself, and then working toward making the phrase happen rather than sitting back and expecting “it” to come to you. Good idea, and a very uplifting mantra if you mean “I’m making it be on its way” when you say it.

    I hope “it’s on its way” for you in the New Year.

    Regards,

    Kelly
    Check out the Maximum Customer Experience Blog!

  • http://maximumcustomerexperience.typepad.com/ Kelly

    Chris,

    I read your three words last year and thought they were perfect. This year’s are great, too.

    My personal inspiration for the last year or two is a short phrase: “It’s on its way.” I saw Wayne Dyer talk about the phrase on PBS: he suggested defining the “it” for yourself, and then working toward making the phrase happen rather than sitting back and expecting “it” to come to you. Good idea, and a very uplifting mantra if you mean “I’m making it be on its way” when you say it.

    I hope “it’s on its way” for you in the New Year.

    Regards,

    Kelly
    Check out the Maximum Customer Experience Blog!

  • Pingback: 2007 goals met & missed (and recalling family mantra for ‘truth’) « Housewifery

  • http://biggsuccess.com Bigg Success

    We love this post! We talked about this in a recent Bigg Success show. It’s important to determine what’s most important to you and why. Then, visualize it and internalize it. Make sure it’s the first and last thing you think about every day. Get it into your subconscience. Remind yourself with a written statement, or a sticky note on your laptop. Here’s to 2008 and living the life you want!

  • http://biggsuccess.com Bigg Success

    We love this post! We talked about this in a recent Bigg Success show. It’s important to determine what’s most important to you and why. Then, visualize it and internalize it. Make sure it’s the first and last thing you think about every day. Get it into your subconscience. Remind yourself with a written statement, or a sticky note on your laptop. Here’s to 2008 and living the life you want!

  • http://innovationcreation.us john blue

    Our new son (3 months old now!) came into the world with his three guiding words:
    * Eat
    * Sleep
    * Poop

    These words form his entire operating framework and extends his abilities to influence to the rest of the family ;-)

    Again, great post Chris,
    Sincerely
    John Blue

  • http://innovationcreation.us john blue

    Our new son (3 months old now!) came into the world with his three guiding words:
    * Eat
    * Sleep
    * Poop

    These words form his entire operating framework and extends his abilities to influence to the rest of the family ;-)

    Again, great post Chris,
    Sincerely
    John Blue

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  • http://www.sekstvizle.com seks izle

    Karadutun yaprağı kemane ye takmalı, Thank you…

  • http://www.pornozirve.com porno izle

    I’ll put them as a permanent visual so that I remember to pay attention to those three focal points.

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