Since 2006, Chris Brogan has invited his community to come up with three words for the coming year that define what we are focusing on in the coming year. Here are mine for 2012.
Present
Recently, Jeff and I went to a restaurant in an unbelievably beautiful casino on the Mohegan Indian reservation in Connecticut. I was fascinated by the juxtaposition of the symbols, soaring ceilings, and the implied natural and the noise, smoke, and acres of flashing lights. The problem was that as I craned my neck to take in the sights, I was not in my body or present to what I was doing, which, according to Jeff was either wandering away or randomly bumping into him. I was at once there but not there. Ironically, the casino environment actually is the perfect place to practice being present as it is designed to transport you away from reality! I lost this time. But it’s a bet I am determined to win when again so challenged!
In-person
I now live one hour from a dear friend whom I’ve known since I was 14 and I saw her less this year than when I was living 14 hours away from her (most of our lives). That is unacceptable. Same goes for new friends here in NJ and elsewhere. This year, I am going to insist we make time to get together for even if it’s for an hour, for coffee.
For me, there’s no substitute for face-to-face conversation and the exploration of ideas and storytelling — it’s the crux of the human experience. And I want that. I believe others do, too, but default to FB, text or email because they are busy and think it’s better than nothing.
The thing is, being in the physical presence of people you love (and who love you) can feed your soul in a way that endures, a goal that connecting via social media will never enable us to quite achieve. Thus my intention to cultivate more in-person experiences in 2012.
Reclamation
This is the year I will reclaim my personal life and contain the time spent on my business. HBC is nearly five years old, highly niched, with clear processes and a solid business model in place and working. It’s a matter of fine tuning from here on out. As a creative person, however, I’m getting restless!
According to ReCourses’ David C. Baker and Win Without Pitching’s Blair Enns, most creatives who own businesses rely on the business to provide that creative outlet. They say that’s a mistake, and I agree. My job this year is to build a rich and fascinating personal life outside of work that will meet that need. This will include playing out more, taking bass lessons (and practicing), and finishing my novel and possibly even writing a new one. I also want to revisit my crafty side starting with a return to knitting, which I want to make my default tired-brain activity because I actually will end up with something to show for that time!
So there are my three words for 2012: Present, In-Person and Reclamation. Blog yours and leave a link in the comments. Cheers!
