Word to Live By 2016 | SeeLaurieWrite.com For the last few years, I have chosen a word that I kept close to me as I made decisions and set priorities and intentions. It all started with Ali Worthington’s One Little Word project.

In 2013, my first to choose a word, I picked the word “Listen”. Then my mind was blown when I lost a job I loved and had been doing for five years, and my husband suggested that I start working on a freelance writing career. I had been hearing that suggestion in my own quiet moments, so when he brought it up I knew my word was working.

In 2014, my word was Create. It was my first full year of freelancing, so that year was focused on creating a new career path and creating networks and support systems to help me make a writing career a reality for myself. I was also attempting to get back to making art, and needed to make time for simply creating.

In 2015, my second full year of self-employment, I wanted to re-visit what I wanted to do as a writer and where my time needed to be spent to grow in my career and personal time. “Focus” was the word for the year. I even had a cuff made, and wore it every day – it was embossed with the phrase “Focus… it’s never too late.” A nod to my favorite quote, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” by George Eliot.

Debi Dean cuff Focus one little word

So for 2016, as soon as I started to think “what word should I pick for this year?” the word “Expand” popped into my head. Like, the second the question was asked in my mind, the word was there. Seemed like I needed to pay attention to it.
This year, I am feeling so much more confident in my work, and am wanting to be open to new opportunities to grow. I have been published consistently in local and regional publications, but I would like to start making connections in national magazines and other outlets, and begin working on some fiction and creative non-fiction stories. I’m also going to be working with a couple of local folks who have asked me to help them with writing projects, and am going to venture into a new publishing medium through my Junque Rethunque blog. (Stay tuned for more on that soon!)

So, that’s done. I am so looking forward to how my word will affect my work, my family, and my personal growth this year. If you choose a word each year, please share your process and word in the comments – I’d love to hear about it!

 

2 comments

  1. Love your word! Jealous that it came to you so easily…I struggled with mine a bit before settling on radiate. Here’s to a great 2016 for us both. :-)

    1. Thanks Allyson! I was surprised it came so quickly, I really waffled a lot last year and the year before. Big things ahead for us, I can feel it! :)

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