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I’ve been doing a Word of the Year since 2011. You can see my words for 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 2016, and 2017, if you’re curious.
I did a lot of work on myself this last year, and of that I am proud. My word for 2017 was “Love,” and I made such good progress in that area.
It culminated in a way during my 40th birthday week – I went on vacation by myself for the first time ever. First class all the way.
I wasn’t scared, I wasn’t nervous, I didn’t feel something was missing… I was determined – and so pleased that it felt so easy to do.
The Dominican Republic was good to me.
Fast forward a month or so, and my anxiety started acting up. (I’ve written about this before, you can see that post here.)
There are a few reasons for it, which I don’t need to go into here just yet.
Because the truth of the matter is, I am still very much in it.
My anxiety manifests itself as a doom and gloom menace. As if an impending disaster is right around the corner.
At its most mild it’s simply annoying, but at its worst it feels utterly unbearable.
Like nothing will ever work out for me again. Like I’ll never feel happiness again. Like I’ll never love again. Like I’ll always be alone. Like everything is going to hell.
Truthfully, it feels like a setback after the progress I made this past year.
Some of it is chemical and genetic, no doubt.
But some of it is self-inflicted.
Hey, we all do it to ourselves sometimes. None of this is unique to just me.
But the progress I’ve made around loving myself and being ok by myself is utterly precious, and I will fight fiercely to continue that progress.
And so, enter the word “Light.” I always say that my word of the year divinely “downloads” into my brain like clockwork right before December 31st, and this time was no different.
How it came to me was this – I heard the words “Be the Light, see the Light at the end of the tunnel, only do what Lights you up. Lighten your load.”
Hmmm.
As a bonafide “achiever” it’s way too easy to get myself caught up in numbers, how many people joined this program, how much did I make, how does it compare to last year, how many goals did I hit, how much work did I get done today… and on and on.
I’ll admit I’ve sometimes tied my self-worth to it.
While some of this is a positive part of the drive that’s gotten me to where I am today, some of it has been, quite frankly, lunacy.
Doing things because I think I “have” to, or because that’s what other people are doing, or because my money goal is so lofty. Functioning on autopilot instead of really digging in and asking myself: What would feel GOOD to me at this moment?
What’s been missing is pleasure, and pleasure to me feels light. Playfulness feels light. Not being a slave to the numbers feels light. Working with only the most warm and wonderful clients feels light. Only offering what I enjoy teaching and excel at feels light.
You know what else feels light? Possibly opening myself up to love again this year. (We shall see.)
And so last year’s word and this year’s word actually intertwine quite beautifully.
I’m calling in more joy, more alignment, more ease, and more incredible experiences this year. A lightness of being.
I’m rejecting the notion that your business needs to be everything, all the time. That it always has to be #1. I’m rejecting being led by fear, constantly looking outside of myself for the answers. I’m rejecting putting anything out there that doesn’t feel joyful and Light, damnit.
I’m ready to cultivate a rich and fulfilling life outside of my company, because that’s what fills me up. And it’s been far too long.
I still want to achieve and grow and take my business to new heights. But doing it at the expense of my wellbeing, or as a result of not being clear on what would feel delicious to me (or not believing it could be) is no longer welcome in my life.
This current setback will pass, I know.
And in its place will be more play, more flow, more alignment… and much more asking of the question:
Does this light me up?
Happiness is superseding all the pushing and “have-to’s” this year.
And what’s beautiful about that is that changing my vibe will end up attracting even more than I could ever dream of. All at the right time.
As long as I keep moving toward the light.
As cliche as it is, life really is too short. Friends, love, and play are moving to the front seat and driving this sucker.
I’m ready to embrace the fact that this all doesn’t need to feel so HARD. (And asking myself more: What if it could be EASY?)
And… that doesn’t make me feel anxious at all.
Now it’s your turn, love. Please let me know what your word is in the comments. 🙂
I love it Christine! My word for 2018 is JOY!!! Best wishes to us both in achieving what we are seeking.
JOY!! Even just typing it makes me feel happy – lol! Thank you for sharing Colleen!
As a fellow anxiety sufferer, I love your word.
My word for this year is growth, in every aspect of my life. Business. Personal. Spiritual. Intellectual. As a wife. As a mother. As a friend.
I stand with you in solidarity Sarah! It’s not an easy road to travel. <3 Growth is an AWESOME pick, and a you mentioned, can be applied to so many areas!
Abundance! I always love your word of the year practice. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love it! And been loving your Instagrams my friend! Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
Communication — My word for 2018. I intend to communicate more frequently and with greater intent with family, friends, neighbors, and customers.
I expect to be making more phone calls, sending more letters, mailing out postcards, posting on Social Media, and texting in order to be in communication rather than be in isolation.
I intend to up my ante on newsletters, websites, FB pages, blogging, FB Live, and maybe even Instagram for both my business and for myself.
I will invite more people over to my house this year whether it be neighbors and friends for dinner and game night, or clients for my businesses to discuss options and/or products.
My kids are out at college or work, and the house is a little too quiet. 2018 is my year to connect and reconnect – the year of Communication!
“Communication rather than isolation” – this really speaks to me. I think your plan sounds robust and fun!
What a great word, “light”. My word is focus. Not just on my fledgling business, or my writing, but on me. Focus on what’s right for me. I don’t always do a word, but this year focus just felt right.
Yes, I find with the word of the year it just has to feel “right.” You can’t go wrong with focus. 🙂
Hi Christine,
Thank you for your heartfelt post. I so feel ya! My word for 2017 was a bit of flop. It doesn’t matter what it was, because life threw me too many curve balls to keep up. My husband fell down our flight of stairs, putting his elbow through the wall as he toppled down, and broke his shoulder blade. It’s a bone people usually only break in car accidents of falls. I was thankful he wasn’t left with a broken neck and paralyzed, or worse — as people do die from falling down the stairs.
Five months later, chest pain led to another stent being placed in his heart. He already has one from a heart attack five years ago. Then the following month, his hematologist insisted it was time for my husband to begin treatment for his cancer (leukemia). Honestly, I was on pins and needles most of the year, because without a doubt, things do happen in three’s, and I waited for the next shoe to drop.
I’m also a business owner, and all the doctor’s appointments, and care dedicated to my husband made it difficult for me to focus on my business and my customers at times. I even toyed with the idea of closing down. It all became so “heavy” last year. I aspire for things to be lighter for my husband and I as well. But, that’s not my word. It’s a component of my word though.
I do think we can and should take ownership of our lives, and do whatever it takes to make it better, and keep our soul happy. With that in mind, my word for 2018 is Rejoice.
Maybe you can have end of the year check-in regarding everyone’s word. Then, I can let you know how it goes this year with my word. I’m confident it will be more successful than last year’s pick. LOL. I think sometimes the universe just has different plans for us, and we have to adapt, and it’s okay. It’s all part of the journey.
Thank you for sharing your journey with your readers. I appreciate you!
Hey Tami! WOW – you and your husband have certainly been through a lot! God bless you. I can imagine how challenging that all would be while still trying to run a business. Love your pick of Rejoice. Feels good just saying it. And I may take you up on the idea of checking in on everyone’s word! Maybe it will be a year-end wrap up blog post. 🙂
Congratulations, Christine! It sounds like you have dug deeply and found the pearl inside the oyster at the bottom of the ocean. I appreciate and validate your vulnerability, your claim to true happiness. My word this year is Grace. The grace that allows me to live in harmony with the natural order and move at the pace of love, that sustains a moment to moment joy, gratitude and adventure–and guides me in service. Thank you for asking!
Hi Emma, thank you so much, that means a lot to me! May Grace guide you beautifully all year long! Thank you for your comment!
Hi Christine
I love your message. My words for 2017 were “Be the love and light you came to be”. I am 74 and have been walking this path for 60+years . Love all of the input from all of the “young ones” who are bringing so much information and opportunity to the world. I resonated with most of what you wrote..Recently I experienced a small compression fracture in my spine. The pain was excruciating and I struggled for several days until my Guides helped me to see that They needed me to be still and meditating all day everyday to help the Shift that is occurring. Once I got the message, the peace and joy that we are finally in transition allowed me to welcome all that is being asked of me and all of us. So thank you for Inspiring me and so many others with profound love Morningstar
Yes! Sometimes we need to hear the message to be still and turn inward. It’s lovely you received that message when you needed it. You’re a very smart and savvy 74 – and it looks great on you! Thank you for your kind words!
Hi Christine,
My word for 2018 is Opporinities!
What’ are the opportunities available to me… and what opportunities I can offer to others?
A fabulous email, by the way. It spoke volumes.
With love, Judith xx
Thanks Judith! And may opportunities abound for you this year and beyond! Appreciate you! <3
I stopped making Resolutions in 2011 and used Invocation instead. Then I used the Word in 2016 and do it every year, Christine. THis year, it’s Faith.
I like that you call it “invocation.” Sounds magical actually! Here’s to faith guiding your way in 2018!
I like that your word built on last year’s word. I feel that mine has too. Last year my word was “release” and I did release a lot of shoulds, fears, and the feeling that I was responsible for so many others. This year my word is “embrace”. I am ready to embrace all that is coming to me, embrace who I am, embrace new ideas and ways of doing my business. So looking forward to this year.
Ahhh, just hearing about your releases makes me feel lighter, lol. Congrats on that! Embrace is a beautiful, warm word and I hope it serves you very well!
Christine, Hoping that LIGHT comes into your life and shines forth brilliantly! May 2018 be a year for light and love to resonate in the pores of your very being. Much love!
Thank you dear Esther! I appreciate this message from you so much. Miss you! <3
Hi Christine! My word for 2018 is FREEDOM. But I love the idea of light/lightness guiding my life, so it looks like I’ll be taking that on as well. Thank you for this post.
You’re so welcome! And I can definitely see how freedom and lightness can be interwoven beautifully. Wishing you much sweet freedom this year!
Hi the new year 2018 is a deferent for me (360) degrees change, where love and activity and the implementation of what has been planned for the past Four years, where the purchase of a property far from the routine in which we live in terms of the beauty of nature and calm and in terms of location, Real Estate duration 3 years, in addition to the island change, which I am ready for him in term of work and study and strategic planning accurate.This is my principled in life ( Plan,Do,Chek,and Act).
Hi Christine. To you and all of your readers, I extend a Happy New Year to you all.
MY work for the year is DISCOVERY.
Late last year, I ‘discovered’ that I had psychic abilities, and every day since, I have been learning more and more and honing my skills. It is an incredible experience, so DISCOVERY is my choice for my word of the year.
All the best to you all in all you do this year.
Regards,
Rhys
Wow, how exciting! Thank you for sharing and your word is perfect! 🙂
Thanks Christine for the great blog. I never measure anything and especially other companies that are providing services to mine. And this year especially on marketing we have spent quite a bit of money over the last six months and we need to start measuring it to ensure value for money so our word is measuring.
Great word! And smart! Happy New Year 🙂
My word for the year is connection. This is my year to more deeply connect with family, friends, clients and Higher Power. Thank you for bringing up the word of the year. I’ve been doing it for a while and it guides me when I least expect it.
Beautiful Sandy! Thank you for stopping by!
Dear Christine, you are a wonderful person and I admire your drive and personality. Don’t be too hard on yourself and I recommend that for myself as well. Our lives play out as it does for a reason and there is something greater in the making for you, just believe! My signature words for the year are empowerment, empower and empowering.
Thank you so much! You’re so sweet. 🙂 Love your words – here’s to an empowering 2018!
How wonderful Christine! Thank you so much for all of your wonderful posts. My word for the year is Believe (in myself!).
Thanks Shannon! You can never go wrong with “Believe!” 🙂
I’m with you Christine! My theme/word for the year is Self-care and with that, I plan to feel “Light”er. I know that I must take better care of myself in order to help and support those around me, personally and in business. No more running in circles for me. I am streamlining my obligations and setting an intentional focus (professional and personal). Like they say on the airplane “Put on your mask, before assisting others!” Looking forward to being a part of your light 🙂
Hey Andrea! Good for you – it is so important and affects everything! And I love that you mentioned being “intentional.” I’m doing more of that too! Thanks for your comment 🙂
Hi Christine, I love that your word is LIGHT after last year’s LOVE. And I love it because, LIGHT is LOVE. Light is that pure positive energy of the Universe that we are all made up of and connected to. It doesn’t surprise me one bit that LIGHT would follow LOVE.
I’m and Energy Healer and Coach and I work with Light, I channel Light in all my healings. I’ve been struggling with how to niche down to any specific pain point for my business to focus on. I joined your Get Clients Online Course, I can’t wait to see what develops.
My words are always LIGHT and LOVE, hehehe, my url is https://www.lovemylife.coach/ these words are right up my alley!
Peace, Love & Light,
Linda
Hi Linda, thank you for your comment. Chills!! <3