Reflections on My 2017 Word of the Year-Convergence

It's a new year, which means it's time to share my 2018 word of the year.  But first I’m reflecting on my experience with my 2017 word of the year, convergence.I explained why I chose convergence at the beginning of the year and I invited you to consider some ways to implement convergence in your life.  This word was meant to help me, and maybe you, too, focus on simplifying and going deeper instead of wider in life and work.Here are my insights and lessons learned from my year of convergence.Intention #1 - Slow downAlthough this is a challenge with three kids at home, we did embrace slowing down this past year.  Mother Nature graced me with the opportunity to spend many snow days organizing 5 generations of family photos.  Although I had been helping others do this for years, organizing my own was more of an emotional journey than I expected.We also had a series of unfortunate events (or so I thought at the time-in the end they turned out to be blessings) that resulting in us putting everything we owned in storage, essentially living out of suitcases then moving 5 times in 3 months.  I admit, it is fun to live out of backpacks when you plan for it, but it's not as much fun when you have not planned for it.  Oh how that hectic time made me long for those winter days sitting on the couch in my PJs watching the snow fall!Although life got super messy during this time and I reached a pretty low point (have I mentioned I’m a type A planner and thrive on creating order?!), it all turned out better than I could have imagined in the end and now we laugh about what a crazy time that was.  It certainly wasn’t slow!  I wrote about my lessons learned from this time in more detail here and here.Intention #2 - Establish & maintain better boundaries around work and family timeEstablishing a routine is a good idea… if you’re willing to accept the fact that perfection is NOT possible.  You can plan in detail and thing you’ve got all of your bases covered, but life rarely goes as planned.  My experiences this year reminded me of this big time.  Instead of focusing on upholding boundaries, I learned to continue letting go…  Letting go of control, of knowing all of the details, of my agenda and of other’s actions.  It’s important to remember these points as you move forward intentionally creating a simple life.Intention #3 - Simplify my workThere will always be opportunities in front of you.  Sometimes you really have to look for them.  Other times they just fall right into your lap.  It’s your job to know what to seize and what to let go.  Knowing your core values, learning to say “no” and confidently saying “yes” are key.  I had a lot of practice in this area in 2017 and my 2018 word of the year reflects a continuation on this…Intention #4 - Choose my lane and stay in itMy key takeaway from this intention is what I knew to be true when I chose convergence as my word of the year.  When we each do what we love most, we all flourish.  As an entrepreneur, it’s critical to remember this!Intention #5 - Continue learning and networkingWe have so much to learn from others!  And we have so much brilliance to share with others!  2017 brought me the opportunities to do both of these things.  In May, after 2 1/2 years of coach training and more than 100 hours coaching clients, I earned my Associate Certified Coach credential from the International Coach Federation.  It was a long journey but I was thrilled to finally earn this distinction.Just 3 weeks after earning my ACC, I flew to DC and took the stage with 10 other speakers for to unveil a new keynote presentation, Bold, Brave, Beautiful & Simple.  My husband joined me on this trip, which was super fun!  For me, this intention ended up being about authenticity.  When you naturally exude excitement and expertise about what you love, others notice.  And when you get to combine work and pleasure, it’s simple and fun!Intention #6 - Spend less time online and more time ‘in real life’ with othersThis is why I lead simple living retreats, inviting women to step away from their crazy busy overwhelming, overstuffed lives.  As I said last year, I still firmly believe that the best way to simplify your life is to step away from it for a bit.  And when you gather with others who have the same, but different challenges and struggles, you make connections, find clarity and become motivated to change.  New retreats and partnerships are on the horizon and I’m excited about what’s coming your way in 2018!Intention #7 - Write consistentlySadly, this one did not come to fruition like I had hoped.  Our unexpected moves interfered with my plans and other priorities-like finding places to live-took over.  My insight from this intention is to remember to give yourself grace.  Things won’t always go as planned, but that’s okay.  Do the best you can and set the intention again when the time feels right.I learn new lessons each year from living with my word of the year, some as I had hoped and others that I hadn’t anticipated.  What’s important is that we stay curious, give ourselves grace and be open to possibility while focusing on what matters most.I’ll reveal my 2018 word of the year in my next post.  Until then, I wish you much simplicity and joy!Lisa