Word of the Year – 2014 – Self Discipline

Word of the Year 2014 – Self Discipline 

I choose a Word for the Year. No, I’m not talking about a word like selfie. Which just happens to be the word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries. No, no, no. That’s not what I’m referring to.

I’m talking about setting aside a half hour of time and declaring a word of the year for yourself.

WHY choose a Word for the Year?

1. We live in  a busy, crazy world. It’s so easy to lose focus and get distracted. I am talking as a woman with much experience in this area.  We lose focus on our daily routine, our monthly goals, our plans for the house, our workout goals, etc.

2.Because if we see it often it gets our attention back in order. Choose a word. Make it visible. Make it stick. See ideas below.

3. You need a plan. A word is a plan. If you have a word for the year you have a start to a plan. It’s much easier to make weekly, monthly and yearly goals if you have a word as a starting point.

HOW to choose a Word for the Year?

Think about the areas you are currently struggling with. Is it your health? Organization? Relationships? Work?

I would say, choose no more than two areas to work on but preferably only one at a time. Write down the area you are struggling with.

Now, jot down reasons you feel you may stumble in this area. Is it because you need new inspiration? Is it because you are working around too many distractions? Maybe it’s because you’ve set yourself up for failure by not removing temptations.

Post it everywhere. In strange places. In unique places. In ordinary places.

One year I wrote it at the top of every page of my journal in huge capital letters.

Fast forward to May, August and October and write on several days in your calendar. Have it pop up as a reminder on your phone several times throughout the year. Especially for later in the year when the novelty will have worn off.

Ask a friend to text you when he/she sees an inspiration quote on your word.

Create a Pinterest board for your Word of the Year. You can check out mine here.

Post it in places you see a lot:

• Underneath your cash or credit card in your wallet.
• The steering wheel.
• Your bible.

Post in in places you may not look as often:

• Inside the cover of a cook book.
• Place it in the locker at the gym.
• In the glove box.
• Etched in a tree in the backyard.

My word of the Year and WHY.

My word of the year: Self Discipline

And the scripture verses to go along with it:

Hebrews 12:11  NLT No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!

I choose this word because I have a really hard time staying focused throughout the day while the kids are here. With homeschooling one, half day kindergarten for another, and the third I have to get up and out of the house by 8. So I have a mixed up year this year and I’m not even half way done.

It’s been a struggle to stay disciplined and focused on what needs to be done day by day. I sometimes feel as if the day went by in the blink of an eye. I look back and realize how distracted I was and how much time I wasted.

I’m so tired of feeling like I’m just getting by. I’m exhausted when I want a blog post done and somehow it’s 8pm and I’m still working on it.

In order for this to work I’m going to have to make set ‘working’ hours and time slots for what needs done. If I get it down to a science I’ll be sure to share what works for me.

Plain and simple….. I choose this word because it sucks not to be self disciplined. I don’t want to live life in utter chaos. I want to feel like I have a handle on things. I don’t wan’t to be a miserable mother because I wasn’t disciplined to get my work done in the afternoon instead of late at night.

Have you decided on a word for 2014? I’d love to hear if you’ll just share in the comments! Thanks.

Blessings on the beginning of a new year!

Melanie

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