You’re probably going to laugh when you see my word of the year. I say that because it’s February, and I’m just now sharing it with you. However, I do think I’ve already been practicing it, and it required little thought to determine what I wanted it to be. That’s how you know you’re on the right track.
Intentional: My Word of the Year
Life seems to go quickly. I often find myself wishing I had been more intentional about how I spent my time, especially when I get caught off guard by something. For example, how do my loved ones’ birthdays always sneak up on me? It’s not like they aren’t on the same date every year. Why do I not plan the trip? Why did I not go to lunch with that friend? I never regret acting with intention, but I almost always regret it when I don’t. So, this year, I vowed to be more intentional.
How I’ll Practice Intention
To be honest, I started being more intentional last year. Here’s what that looked like.
I noticed that I didn’t do much with my friends, and I was really starting to feel lonely. When I reflected on it, I realized that 2020 (Don’t so many of our problems go back to that year?) allowed me to get extreme about my introversion. I was supposed to stay home, so I did. The problem was, when the world started to re-engage, I stayed on my sofa.
Don’t get me wrong, I love sitting in my comfy clothes, surrounded by dogs, watching TV or reading a book, but it wasn’t serving me well emotionally. So, I decided it had to change.
Social
I vowed in 2023 to do at least one social thing a week. What I discovered is that it happened rather organically. I think I was being invited to things, I was just bowing out.
Did I always want to be social? No. Getting ready and leaving the house is work for me. But I never once regretted doing it. So, I started saying “yes,” knowing that once it was on my calendar, I would do the thing. And I loved it.
I’m going to continue the practice of being intentionally social this year. But I’m adding some other efforts too.
Communication
I hate talking on the phone, and that’s not going to change. But I am going to try to be more intentional with checking in on people I love and, even more importantly, with how I communicate with others. I want to mean what I say and say what I mean. I am going to do my best not to let emotions or other factors in the way of strong, helpful communication that I feel good about.
Gifts
Gifts are one of my love languages, so why do I suck so much about them? I’m always running out at the last minute to try to find what I want to give someone. It’s stressful! This year, I’m getting more intentional about gift-giving. What does that look like? It means reviewing my calendar at the first of the month, recognizing the gift opportunities, and planning/securing them immediately. Pretty simple.
Spending
Being intentional also means thinking carefully about where we spend our money. Yes, we love to order out dinner or buy the thing just because. But spending without intention makes it difficult to do the big things like take the trip or go to the concert. Being intentional about the bigger things means budgeting better and sacrificing some of the little things.
Actions
Overall, I want to be more intentional in my actions. Is this the life I want to live? Is this the person I want to be? How does this action or decision serve me? These are questions I’ll be asking a lot this year. Whether it’s going to the grocery store (which I hate) on Saturday so I’m more relaxed during the week or taking the high road so I’m proud of who I see in the mirror, that’s my focus this year.
My 2024 Goals
I try to break down my goals to reflect my priorities, which don’t change much from year to year. My priorities are in this order:
- Me
- My little family
- My bigger family and close friends
- Work and professional development
Sometimes, I go into the year knowing some goals (like my reading plan), while others are less solidified. Here are my 2024 goals in no particular order.
Reading
To read 200 books by Jan. 1, 2025.
I read 200 books for the first time in 2023, and I want to do it again. Why? Because I want to be able to say that I’m a person who reads 200 books a year. I don’t think I can say that if I haven’t done it more than once.
Reading is my favorite hobby. I love relaxing with a good book, reading excellent writing, and learning from others. My reading goal is always a win, even if I don’t reach it.
Mental Health
To continue understanding and improving my mental health by establishing a journaling habit in 2024.
I plan to journal every day with the goal of journaling more days than not. When I finish a notebook, I’ll review and reflect on what I’ve written. Of course, I can do this before that if I want to go back and review entries.
Health
To continue my weight loss and health journey and hit my goal weight by Jan. 1, 2025. This also includes continuing my daily exercise/movement routine.
I’ve shed quite a bit of weight in the last two years, but I still have more to lose to reach my goal (which I refuse to put here). I already feel so much better, both physically and emotionally, so I’m going to keep on going.
More importantly, I’ve developed a daily exercise and movement habit. It started with 20 minutes a day in 2020 and has grown to 40 minutes a day. My friend Nanci and I check in with each other and keep one another accountable. It’s been really good for me, and being accountable to her helps a lot.
Professional Development
To add two regular freelance clients in 2024.
I have an excellent freelance client who I love working with and who pays me well. The “extra” money I make from this and teaching has allowed me to pay off some debts and travel more. I want to continue adding to my independent income and experiences this year. BUT, I don’t want to write for just anyone. I really want to add two mental health or wellness clients. I also enjoy leadership, organizational behavior, and productivity-related topics, so I’m flexible in those areas. And, of course, they have to be willing to pay my rates.
If you know of anyone in the mental health space who is looking for a freelancer, I’d love an introduction.
There probably are some other habits that I’ll add along the way, but these are my primary goals for this year. I’d also like to establish a better morning routine that I enjoy, but I’m already failing at this. I love my bed so much. It’s a problem.
Here We Grow!
I love the possibilities of a new year, don’t you? Working on myself is my favorite project, so I try to really hone in and be realistic about what I can do in a year and what really matters.
Yes, I want to beat that level on the game I’m addicted to on my phone, but I want to go to a concert with my husband even more. Putting first things first (being intentional) is always a good idea.
What is your word or what are your goals this year? I’d love to hear about them if you’re comfortable sharing.
