In the past couple weeks I’ve been doing some serious goal planning for this year.  When I read Kelby Carr’s blog post where she chose 3 Words to represent her goals and vision for this year I thought this was an excellent way to summarize my thoughts.

Here are my 3 words:

One

As I read Kelby’s post I could really relate — especially for the need to FOCUS.  As an entrepreneur I see new business ideas, strategies and projects everywhere I look.  (Also known as SES – Shiny Object Syndrome).  I love thinking of new ideas and starting fun projects. Unfortunately this leads to having way too much going on at once! So there’s no focus on any one thing.

So I have to give up some things but quitting is never easy. I re-read Seth Godin’s book The Dip for the 3rd time because I knew I needed that extra encouragement.

…realize that quitting the stuff you don’t care about or the stuff you’re mediocre at or better yet qutting the Cul-de-sacs frees up your resources to obsess about the Dips that matter.

Since having my son in November, narrowing the focus of my work is also a necessity.  As I’m his full time caregiver, I’m limited to about 15 hours a week working.  (Usually when he is sleeping!)  Ultimately ONE represents what is real, that by narrowing my work focus I can also give full attention to the one thing that is really important, caring for the people I love.

Eleven

To really succeed at something requires doing more than just what is easy or convenient. It calls for a real commitment to be exceptional, doing more than what is required.  Seth Godin insists that readers should strive to be “the best in the world.”

I chose the word Eleven to represent this idea for me, inspired by a scene from one of my favorite movies, Spinal Tap: “Most blokes play to 10… we put it up to 11. One louder.”

Zero

Over the holidays I caught a show on PBS with Wayne Dyer called “Excuses Begone.” We all make excuses now and then.  But habitual excuse making leads to an unfulfilled life motivated more by fear than love.  Soon afterward I discovered a truly inspiring essay by Jon Morrow that epitomizes the idea of ZERO excuses: On Dying, Mothers, and Fighting for Your Ideas.

In the past I have made excuses for why I didn’t take a project to its full potential.  Usually it had to do with too many irons in the fire as I mentioned earlier.  This year as I leave behind some projects, I will have zero excuses for not achieving the goals that I’d like to here with Cause Blogger.  My vision for this site is to be the best resource for nonprofits and other cause enthusiasts as they create and maintain successful blogs.

These three words are already coming to me at the right moments to keep me motivated.  When I get tired or want to give up, I just think “One-Eleven-Zero.” Like at 3 am last night when my son was screaming and I’d rather be sleeping.  I reminded myself, what excuse to I have to complain?  He’s the little blessing that we hoped for. I’m so fortunate to be able to stay home to care for him and have a supportive partner. (I now say an extra prayer for single parents!)

In the coming year these three words will be my mantra both in my work and personal life as I strive achieve my goals.