My Word of the Year 2021
Do you choose a word of the year? In case you are unaware of what a word of the year is:
A word of the year is a word that most embodies what you are in need of, would like to change, become, or strengthen in the coming year. Consider it a word that shines a spotlight on your intention for the coming year.
In 2019. My word of the year was “roots.” Having made some major changes in my life a couple of years before, I suddenly realized that roots were something I was yearning for. Beyond a home, I was craving a place in which I was at peace to begin the next part of my life. A community; a place to transplant old roots, but also sprout new ones. As I began to branch out personally and in business, I wanted to do so with confidence, knowing I had strength in a solid foundation.
As 2019 came to a close I can honestly say that my word of the year reached fruition. I am nestled-in a city that I love, my old roots are seeking greater depth as above the surface I branch out in various directions. As I closed the book on 2019, I was smiling.
But, what would my word for 2020 be? As I began to visualize the up and coming year, I instinctively knew what I needed to focus on, but I struggled to find a fitting word that described it. And, if I am completely honest, I kept trying to ignore the very word that did come to me because it made me very uncomfortable.
Regardless, my soul continued to whisper until I could no longer deny it, so my 2020 Word of the Year is… ENTRPRENUER!
YIKES! Did I really just say that out loud? Why does that word sound so large and intimidating? Why do I feel so small in its shadow? Why do I feel like hiding my head when I try to apply it to myself?
And come ‘on! Why couldn’t my word be something sweet, fun, whimsical or sexy? Why can’t I have a word that feels more like, well…. ME?
Why? Because that isn’t what I need. My Soul knows that in order to grow, I need to cultivate exactly what I am not. I need be bold, strong, and decisive. I need to connect and nourish my masculine so that it brings balance to my feminine.
After that word was whispered to me and I gave up on resisting, I set out researching entrepreneur qualities and what I found made me breath a bit easier. Contrary to what we might believe, entrepreneurs are not necessarily people that were born any different than the rest of us, but rather they are people that have learned to adopt and live with a certain mindset.
So, what is an entrepreneurial mindset?
An entrepreneurial mindset is a way of thinking that enables you to overcome challenges, be decisive, and accept responsibility for your outcomes. It is a constant need to improve your skills, learn from your mistakes, and take continuous action. Anyone willing to do the work can develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
This is a shortlist, but some entrepreneurial mindset includes things like:
Decisions are made on fact-based thinking rather than emotion or assumption.
Protect and manage their time
Clearly define and never lose sight of their vision and purpose
Growth minded and continually educating themselves.
Focused
Value themselves
They see what others don’t and do what others won’t
As I read, it occurred to me that yes, my Soul brought this word to me in order to move me forward on my career path as well as my larger life purpose, but it also revealed to me that I need to allow that word to envelop and mold all aspects of my life – business, purpose, mind, body and soul.
As I realized that Entrepreneurship isn’t just a business term, but rather it can be a way of life, I was less intimidated. It allowed me to climb higher and look that word squarely in the eyes without feeling inferior. Viewing it through the eyes of, “living life to our potential,” I realized that cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset can help to free us of self-imposed restraints we place on ourselves – the restraints of fear, self-doubt, and repeated patterns.
It brings us a broader perspective; helps us to step back and analyze situations with logic – to see our lives as a business that we control.
What if we quit letting our emotions, fear and habit patterns control our choices? How might that change the way we respond to adversity, raise our children, contemplate the next step in a relationship, plan for retirement, care for our bodies or make career decisions?
We alone are in-charge of nourishing the very things that will help us to grow. On a daily basis, just like an entrepreneur of a business, we deal with uncertainty, face tough decisions and are put in situations where we must solve problems. We must be wise enough to maximize our minutes, see both risks and opportunities, enlist the help of others when needed, and keep a watchful eye on the changing future.
The truth is, our lives are a business of their own -- our very own start-up’s -- and WE are the entrepreneurs in charge of the success and richness of that business – the business of living our best lives, of reaching our potential.
So, from that new and broader perspective, I am no longer hiding my head. I am happily claiming the word entrepreneur as my word for 2020. In fact, I am cloaking myself in that word with giddy excitement. By seeing the broader picture -- incorporating the word entrepreneur into not only my business plans, but also into my entire life -- it no longer intimidates me. I now see it as a way to craft a beautiful, successful, fulfilling life – the business of ME; the art of living.
What about you? Do you have a Word-of-the-Year for 2020? If not, let me extend mine to you. Take the word entrepreneur and consider how developing an entrepreneurial mindset might help you to reach your greatest potential and live your most fulfilled life.
Cheers my friends.