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2019 – What’s My Word?


Will You Take the One Word Challenge This Year?

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:

514_400x400_NoPeel

In 2015, the word that I chose was:

I picked in 2016:

In 2017, I chose the word:

Image result for relax

And last year, it was:

Adapt chalkart

So what will it be in 2019?

My first thought was skip the “word” thing. I tend to forget about it until it’s time to pick another word.

On the other hand, it’s a good way to look back on the past year and also look ahead to the coming year.

This is what I said I would try to do in 2018:

  • 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.

How did it go?

I have definitely adapted to the travel part of my job.  It has allowed me to run in new places

Eisenhower Park

and connect with new people.

new running friend Liz

It has helped to afford to take race-cations by giving me access to free hotel rooms in NYC, Pelham and Montreal

I have run many fewer miles than in past years and I have adapted to it since I think it has helped me stay injury-free and maybe achieve many age group awards and even a few PRs.

Stockade-athon – 15K PR

Though I have run less races as well, I ran the ones that I enjoyed most

and some new ones.

I have reluctantly not volunteered with the STEM runners or GOTR and had to miss most of the Freihofer and Turkey Trot training group runs.  If my traveling is less frequent in 2019, I will re-commit to these opportunities.

I am pretty content with how I ADAPTED in 2018.

So my word for this year is:

refocus

So let’s start with a definition:

  • to change priorities and concentrate on something different from before
  • to put more effort into particular activities, in the belief that you will be more successful
  • to change the emphasis or direction of
  • to change one’s priorities

It seems that “Re-Focusing” involves CHANGE and it involves PRIORITIES. It will also take EFFORT.

  • This is the first thing that I will change. It applies to running as well as life. Less STRESS in 2019.  In other words, some runs won’t happen, some races will suck, PRs may be elusive. My job is just a job. It is what it is.
You can do anything, but not everything. Wise words to remember #thedailyshine #quote
  • So this one has to do with priorities. Trying to do it all means not doing some things well. The hard part will be deciding what is important.  In the past year, I was trying to keep up with tennis, maintain decent speed on short races and complete a few half marathons. In the mix was traveling as part of my job, vacations, family events and seeing my friends, etc. There were days that I was just going through the motions. In 2019, I may just have to let some things go and concentrate on those things that matter most.

  •  I admit that this past year, I may have been in a running rut. I got complacent with my training because I was still successful …enough. I feel like I need a change.  I want to do something different and something that involves effort. Once I decide, there will be no excuses. It may be joining a gym or signing up for yoga classes or trying spinning or even playing on a tennis team.  I may even start to quilt again.  I could even start a new job.

This week I am joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup

coachescorner

Happy Running! If you were to choose ONE word for your focus throughout this year, what word would you choose? Have you ever felt the need to “refocus?”

27 thoughts on “2019 – What’s My Word?”

  3. I love the idea of this word challenge; Runner Beans just did Invest and it’s so true
    I think you’ve managed quite well – always fun to look back at a year without getting lost in the week tow eek minutiae.
    So glad for your NYC travels for obvious reasons 😀

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  4. These are great reflections. I haven’t begun to thought about a word for 2019. I’m still good with my interpretation of “namaste” — making an effort to see the good in everyone — but that was my word two years ago!

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  6. I think that’s a great word!!! I totally get your perspective about the quality over quantity in regards to miles. Myself, I have never set any goals on XXX number of miles for a year. If the miles happen, great. If not, I’m not gonna risk injury while on a quest for a too-high goal.

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    • I agree. Unfortunately you don’t know your limits? Can I run more? Should I push myself? But as i said, healthy is better than lots of miles and aches and pans.

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