My 3 Words for 2016

In 2015 I wrote a single blog post. One. In fact it was my “3 words for 2015” post.

My blog was a mix of topics. I fell into the trap of feeling like I had to write what I was supposed to. Not what I wanted to.

After some careful consideration I decided the nuclear option was the way to go. I’m deleting all the old content I had and starting from scratch.

A new year means a new start.

I don’t like making new year’s resolutions. Even with the best intentions they fall by the wayside and we just setting ourselves up for failure.

Rather than making resolutions, I take the “my 3 words” approach I first saw from Chris Brogan.

Instead of a resolution or goal, you pick three words to define what you want to do and be in the upcoming year. You use these words as filters for the choices you’ll have to make throughout the year.

How does what I’m about to do reflect my chosen three words?

For the last few years I’ve shared my 3 words online:

2013: Growth, Responsive, Create
2014: Flourish, Traction, Metrics
2015: Voice, Starter, Journeyman

My 3 Words for 2016 are…

Producer

A producer makes things happen. They create something that didn’t already exist. I’m pretty sure I can at least double my blog post output from last year (I have 11 months left to write something else). I’ll also create content, ebooks, courses, podcasts, videos and more.

Cultivate

To cultivate is to foster the growth of or improve by labor or study. Imagine a vineyard. It isn’t about growing the most grapes. It’s selecting the best vines and planting them in most fertile soil. That is how you make the finest wine. For me it’s about bringing a higher level of refinement to everything I do.

Flow

In his upcoming book Born For This, Chris Guillebeau defines flow as:

The all-encompassing feeling you get from working well at something you enjoy.

I like that definition. For me it’s about being “in the zone”. Being focused and doing quality work on something I want to do. Whether it’s words when I’m writing, or the code I develop, I want to find that flow.

Looking ahead to what 2016 will bring

I’m excited for everything that’s coming in 2016!

Producer, cultivate and flow are the words that will filter the choices I make for this blog, my work and my life throughout the year.