Written by Mat Casner

let’s connect

Freelance CEO Podcast
Listen Now

One Word for 2018—Living with FOCUS

Lifestyle & Impact, Mindset & Strategy | 0 comments

REACHING UP

LIVING WITH FOCUS

My One Word for 2018

I’ve never been any good at making (or keeping) New Year’s resolutions. For me, resolutions were always recipes for failure (and discouragement). I learned that if I didn’t make a resolution, I couldn’t break it. But, at the same time, I lost the inherent challenge to improve and achieve that resolutions provided.

Several years ago, a couple of friends of mine, Dan Britton and Jimmy Page, launched a new take of the New Years resolution trend when they released their book entitled Get One Word. The book suggested that instead of choosing a resolution (or goal) to attain for the year, I should pick a word that would become a theme for me in the upcoming year.

I was tired of declaring new resolutions that ended in failure. So I gave Dan and Jimmy’s new idea a try. The results were amazing!

One Word For The Next 12 Months

So, last year, (in 2017) the word I chose was INTENTIONAL. 2017 became an amazing, transformative year for me. As I considered my word over the 12 months, I started to think consciously about being intentional in different areas in my life.

First, I was more intentional with my work, then I started thinking more intentionally about my wife and kids. Not long after, I started to think intentionally about my faith, my community and where I served in my church and community. Looking back over the past year, I’m amazed at how much more intentional I was with my time in so many different areas of my life. The benefits are still overflowing today.

You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” ~ Winston Churchill

Now, one year later, I’ve contemplated a new word for 2018. Actually, I started thinking about my word several weeks ago. I wanted it to be a good word; one that would help keep me moving forward.

After tossing around several options, my new word for 2018: FOCUS.

News Flash: I have ADD.

I rubber-neck every time I hear the word ‘squirrel’. It’s exhausting and contributes to wasting tons of valuable time.

I’m excited to see how this word “FOCUS” will help me to eliminate time-wasting distractions and find new levels of productivity in my:

  • faith – focus on my dedication to God and my relationship with Him
  • family – focus on giving dedicated time and thought to my wife, kids and extended family
  • health – focus on making healthy choices and building a healthy lifestyle
  • work – focus on tasks and priorities that help move my work life forward
  • service to my community – focus on investing myself in ways to benefit or bless others
  • recreation – focus on defining specific ways where I can recharge and renew

Thanks to my friends Dan Britton, Jimmy Page and Jon Gordon for inspiring us all to Get One Word.

If you’d like more information, check out their website, http://getoneword.com/

[et_social_follow icon_style=”slide” icon_shape=”circle” icons_location=”top” col_number=”auto” counts=”true” counts_num=”0″ total=”true” outer_color=”dark” network_names=”true”]

My 52nd birthday bucket list event

I wrapped up another birthday last week. Number 52. It's just a number, but as I get older, my birthday provides a great opportunity for reflection and gratitude. My family and so many friends helped to make it a special day/week for me. I was able to see each of my...

Baby steps

Recently, my daughter, Hannah, called my wife. She let her know that our son-in-law—we call him Q—was going to be out of town for a couple of days. Hannah invited us to visit to spend some time with her and our 10-month-old granddaughter. Duh... Of course we said yes....

I’m looking for four designers

I have adopted more of a laidback business in the past few years. And, I love the pace of my work/life balance. But, lately, requests for my time to do some great project work has come in from every direction. And, as such, the past couple of days have been busy....

Don’t miss the Back Office Bootcamp this Wednesday!

Hey Mats, Today I'm prepping for the Freelance Business BackOffice Bootcamp happening on Wednesday. And I can’t wait to share all the systems and tools I use that will save you hours every week! In this FREE workshop, we will cover:📌 Client onboarding📌 Financial...

The fastest way to get more Halloween candy

It's Halloween. My wife, Regi, and I spent some time this evening, walking our dog, Maya, around the neighborhood earlier this evening. Kids were already out in droves with their parents canvasing the streets. I made a little observation as they walked the streets....