WOTY (3): Execution
Hello again! As we continue our Word of the Year journey, let's do a quick flashback. In previous series, we've navigated the murky waters of procrastination and adaptation in my shifting journey.
Aaron
This week, I'm going to cover a self-proven-effective approach that helps us focus and translate goals into practice.
Why This Year's Resolution Won't Fail (Hopefully)
Welcome to late January 2024, the graveyard of New Year's resolutions.
We've all been there, right? As every January 1st rolls around, we enter a new year full of passion and promise, like a kid in a candy store or a cat eyeing leftovers, and AGAIN make a list of goals we always wanted to achieve but never succeeded. But by February, that candy store's gone bankrupt and the cat's been sprayed with water. Why? Because most resolutions are like trying to climb Mount Everest in flip-flops – ambitious but ill-equipped. 🤣🤣🤣
No doubt, I was in the same shoes – trying to build a billion-dollar business from scratch. Never succeeded except in my wildest dream. This year, I think it's time for a change, a shift from endless goal lists to something more meaningful and practical.
So here we are, my Word of the Year is Execution. No, not the killing kind. We're talking about getting things done, and not just listing them on pretty, color-coded planners like we did a year ago and the year before.
So, why execution? Well, after years of fights against my inner procrastinator (more persistent than a telemarketer), I've decided it's time to wrestle this beast to the ground. Execution is my mass destruction weapon against the I'll-do-it-tomorrow inner voice amplifier. It's about turning those sweet dreams into actions.
How does it work?
You may be curious about how the WOTY thing works. Here's how it works.
The reason New Year’s resolutions often end up in a graveyard is that they tend to be too big, too vague, and too numerous. We set ambitious and relentless goals like 'keep fit', 'get rich' or 'read more', which sound great on paper but are as clear as fog when it comes to actual implementation. Then, to add fuel to the fire, we pile them up like a mountain of promises we can’t possibly keep.
This is where the beauty of WOTY comes in. By choosing just one word, it streamlines our focus, cutting through the clutter of too many resolutions. Every decision, every action is filtered through this one word, making it a lighthouse in the sea. The WOTY thing is a simple yet powerful tool that transforms a swamp of goals into a focused pathway, making the journey from intention to action less of a hurdle and more of a guided stride.
Our energy just serves us better when we have a clear direction and being scattered and trying to focus on too many things does not serve you. — Christine Kane
When a resolution is too big or too vague, it makes it easier for you to make up excuses why you’re not doing it. But when your word of the year is selected, every small step towards the word (execution in my case) is counted and this generates positive reinforcement that keeps the momentum. Remember, actions speak louder than words. Always.
Setting intentions
How to pick your WOTY?
When setting intentions for the year, the concept of WOTY can be your North Star. But WOTY here is a flexible term. It can be a phrase, a mantra, or even a short sentence — anything that resonates with you and encapsulates your aspirations. It can also be a word of the month, something you wish to work on in a particular month.
First, let's consider your roles in life. Are you a student, a professional, a parent, an artist, or an entrepreneur? Each role may inspire different words. A student might choose 'Discovery' to symbolize a year of learning and exploration, while an entrepreneur might resonate with 'Innovation' or 'Growth.' As a parent, perhaps a word like 'Patience' or 'Responsibility' captures your intentions for family life.
For those of you straddling multiple roles and finding one word insufficient, why not pick two? One for your professional life and another for your personal life. For instance, a teacher might select 'Inspire' for their professional sphere and 'Balance' for their personal well-being. This dual approach allows you to address different aspects of your life distinctly, yet harmoniously.
In choosing your WOTY, reflect on what you need more of, what you want to let go of, or what you aspire to achieve. This word is your anchor, your guiding star through the year's ups and downs. It should inspire and remind you of your path whenever you find yourself at a crossroads.
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What should you do next?
Once you select your word of the year, enter the mindset shift from Do-Have-Be to Be-Do-Have. The former mindset is like saying, "I'll be happy when I get a promotion." It's always chasing, never arriving. But the latter is the game-changer. It says, "Be the person who deserves the promotion, do what that person would do, and you’ll have it."
Take Gulu, my cat, who is quite the character. In his mind, he's a master scavenger. So, he is an intrepid explorer every night, does his daring raids into the kitchen bin, and has his triumphant feast of leftovers. Sure, he might face the occasional punch-in-the-face for his antics, but to Gulu, it's all part of the grand adventure of living life on his own terms. He doesn't wait for timed cat food supply. He takes action, embodying his Be-Do-Have spirit and risking a hit on his face in every stealthy step.
If a cat's example is not convincing, take a look at my life. I would have picked action as my WOTY, but execution sounds bigger and more like a word an entrepreneur (in fact a solopreneur) would choose. I established a website, not because I was a successful blogger, but to be one. I registered a company, not after I had a thriving business, but to build one (based on a business plan sketched on a napkin). Damn! I even changed my dress code and hairstyle to resemble a boss, not because I was one. Fake it till you make it, alright?
Then, life started to look different and things fell into place. Blogs posted and I've had my first subscriber (subscribe to support Aaron). Office rent and I've secured my first customer, and then through word of mouth, another and more. I've never ever imagined having a chance to attend a course on fundraising, but then last week I found myself nodding to words like 'equity' and 'venture capital' – feeling like a fish out of water, but swimming nonetheless!
After all, it's a game of action for a man to survive on a deserted island (Shoutout to Robinson).
So, it's your turn. Don't just 'do' to 'have' and then 'be.' Flip it. Start small if you must. Be a person who cares for animals. Do take time each day/week to feed the stray cats in your neighbourhood. Have a bond with them. See? Baby steps. And who knows? By this time next year, you might just have something amazing to show for it. Or at the very least, you'll become the favorite human of a whole feline family.
