Well, it’s that time of year.
Time to pick ONE WORD to focus on for the entire year.
(If you’ve never heard about the My One Word approach, here is a summary:
Lose the long the list of changes you want to make this year and instead pick one word. This process forces clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing. Your one word focuses on your character and creates a vision for your future.)
2014 was the first time that I tried it. My word was:
In 2015, the word that I chose was:
I picked in 2016:
Last year, I chose the word:
So what will it be in 2018?
My first thought was the word, SURVIVE (even though someone mentioned that I should choose a word with a more positive spin.)
I’m not talking about my running per se. But how life (or specifically my job) will this year be getting in the way of my time with family, friends and yes, running.
In other words, adapt. You’ve heard the saying: “If life throws at you lemons, make lemonade.”
Here’s one of my favorite quotes:
According to the dictionary, Adapt means:
Change in order to survive better in a certain situation…
How will I focus on my word this year and how will it apply to running?
I will try to:
- Change my attitude about my job. Be more positive. Stop whining. It is what it is.
- Change my running preferences. That may mean running fewer miles or running at undesirable times (before work gulp) or even using the treadmill.
- Change my expectations. This may include not participating in running groups or volunteer opportunities or even cutting back on race-cations.
- Accept that sometimes “less is more.” Quality runs, quality races instead of quantity.
- Accept that there may not be enough time to train adequately for longer distances or faster finish times.
- Stop comparing myself to others who have more time, more flexible schedules, etc.
Honestly, all of the above will be very difficult. Maybe even impossible.
But there are people who have to ADAPT to much more difficult situations in their life (health, family, finances, etc.)
And to put a positive spin on the word ADAPT…
I will
- adapt to races in new places
- adapt to running on new scenic routes
- use hotel, credit card, car rental and train points to take race-cations
As long as I can run and race, life won’t be so bad.
Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these wonderful ladies:
Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt lifefor
Happy Running! If you were to choose ONE word for your focus throughout this year, what word would you choose?
My First 5K and More... 
I like Adapt much better. 🙂 It’s not easy, but you do what you gotta do. And I’ve always been a fan of quality over quantity.
Let’s hope there’s something better out there for you.
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Adapt sounds like a great word for the year! I love the positive spin you’re putting on the changes 🙂
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Just hope this “adapting” won’t make me too depressed. If only the weather would WARM up a bit.
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Adapt is a good word that we all would benefit from focusing on in all aspects of our lives. I don’t set many goals from year to year and I’ve never chosen a word …I just try to take each day as it comes, set small goals one at a time and focus on just being thankful for each day. Happy New Year Darlene!
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I don’t set monthly or yearly goals either.
Hopefully I can remember my word as the year goes on.
You’ll have to remind when I start whining about my running.
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Great word choice! I may have to steal it. There are a few things in my life that have recently happened that I cannot change, so I need to adapt. Of course it is easier said then done!
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It sure is. I hope it goes well for both of us.
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You have a great perspective! Being able to adapt to whatever life presents you is a valuable, sought-after skill 😉
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it is. And I need to work on it LOL
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I love the positive spin! I think you formulated a nice plan.
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Let’s see if it works.
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Adapt is a good word! If you can’t change the job situation, it’s good to adapt to it. I don’t know my word this year. I feel like it’s somewhere between juggle and organize LOL.
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