My 3 Words for 2014
After I read my career colleague, Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter’s response to Chris Brogan’s 3 word challenge for the new year, I thought I should add my 3 Words. Jacqui’s deliberate way of looking at life is so motivating. (By the way, deliberate was one of Jacqui’s words in 2013.) I wanted my three words to be the ones I started to ponder as I enter into yet another year of life and business.
I continually work at goals throughout each year. By the end of last year was exciting looking forward to making changes and improvements in processes and business. My Three Words fit this goal.
My 3 Words for 2014
Consistency – #1 of My 3 Words
One area I am working on in 2014 and going forward is developing consistency. For me, I need to find ways to not just start something but keep it going.
By figuring out new processes for Design Resumes, as well as not letting things get stuck, I should deliver the consistency I am looking for in my life. I start one thing and might go great guns. Then something comes up and I drop the ball to move onto the next thing.
I am looking for consistency in organization, in choosing a healthy lifestyle, in maintaining my home, in writing, in gardening, caring for my dog, Buddy, and basically everything else.
Follow-up – #2 of My 3 Words
My three words are closely aligned. One of the shortfalls of my business is client follow-up. Part of it is easier since many of my clients are connected on social media and email and I do hear back.
I want to standardize my follow-up process for clients like I standardized my intake process.
Follow-up then reaches into other areas of my life. Following up on friends, following up on new ideas, following up on everything.
Focus – #3 of My 3 Words
Staying close to my other two words, my third word is focus. When you run your own business as a solo entrepreneur, it is easy to get distracted. For 2014, I want to intensify my focus so that I can accomplish more in a shorter period of time.
By getting distracted by the demands of other things around me as well as the continuously changing client base, I just need to hone in and focus. Jacqui has this word too.
There you have it – my three words for 2014. In the near future, you will see other posts that take my three words and relate them to jobseekers.
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I love your 3 words, Julie, and YES, I can relate to the ‘focus’ challenge; it was a must-include word for 2014. I am continuing through January to employ my whiteboard and some other tools (e.g., @DorleeM and @JackieYunTweets and others suggest including ‘visuals/pictures’ to further reinforce and ‘focus’ in on our words) to help fuel my 3-word plan.
I REALLY like the word, ‘follow-up’ – it is so specific yet encompasses SO much, as you describe eloquently. So, beyond standardizing follow-up to clients (which is important, and is an area I can relate to ‘needing to work on,’ you say: Follow-up then reaches into other areas of my life. Following up on friends, following up on new ideas, following up on everything.”
I couldn’t agree more.
What a terrific post, and thank you much for the mention!
Best to you as you put traction behind your words in 2014. You are a proven and impressive goal-attainer, Julie, so I know you will do well!
Jacqui
Thanks, Jacqui! I’m starting my 5th year with Design Resumes as the only focus. The choice of pure focus on the career industry has been exhilarating and fun as I have met so many wonderful clients. A part of me feels like I am still in start-up phase even though I have 30 years in the industry but I was never able to “focus” on my business while I was balancing multiple needs from the non-profit arena. 2014 will be a journey but I will love it> Blessings on your journey in 2014 too!
Thank you Julie!
All three of your words speak to me (we share a profession). Applying consistency, followup, and focus will not only add to the quality of my business offerings, it will also IMMENSELY cut down on the time I invest on routine communications and followup, leaving me more time to focus on each client’s particular need. I applied consistency to my intake process, now I need to do the same for followup/follow through process, instead of recreating that process repeatedly from scratch.