Around this time last year, I decided to use the word CREATE as an intention and guidance for 2019.
Back then, this meant that, for the whole year, I was going to:
- Honour my creativity. If I wanted to create more, I had to trust that pull.
- Have a growth mindset, which is the belief that intelligence can be trained and that most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
- Capture every idea and inspiration. No way I was going to save all that stuff in my brain.
- Get curious and dive deeper into concepts. I wanted to expand my knowledge.
- Record the process and share it. I had to let go of perfectionism.
- Research people’s creative processes. I needed to understand what makes people tick.
- Finish what I start, reminding myself that If I didn’t like the road, then I could pivot, but don’t abandon it.
- Stop predicting the future. Things will never be 100% like I imagine.
I kept focus, and I understood what it meant to be a person who knows what, why, and how to execute.
- I launched a YouTube channel, which helped me boost my personal and professional brand pretty fast.
- I wrote and published blog posts and spoke my truth more often, that felt good. This is why I’m writing every day for the 12 days of Christmas.
- I worked with amazing clients. Leah, Candy, Clifford, Ray, John, Sergio: thank you for your incredible support, you are in my mind and heart, always.
- I collaborated with the loveliest people. Tiago and Marie, you have my absolute respect.
- I launched my 90-day Productivity Bootcamp, which I filled up and successfully delivered. Tyler, Corey, Dejan, Ely, Karina, Lary, Luz, Sergio, Mom, Chris, Mohamed, Manoj, Anjan: you are all amazing, thank you for sharing your perspective with the community.
- I had interesting conversations with A LOT of people. Too many to count, but you know who you are; thank you all!
- I loved the creation process, including the moments in which I could not create, but I was still focusing on myself, so I was able to be there for whoever needed me. I was able to trust myself and trust the process.
The word CREATE was challenging but rewarding. I no longer feel guilty for not doing enough as I accomplished so much this year. The word was not constraining, and I also felt like I embodied all my past year words.
2014: Organization
2015: Growth
2016: Freedom
2017: Joy
2018: Possibility
What I learned from my word of the year was:
- How to let go, as I know, I can’t control the outcome. People will do things in their own way, and I can’t stop that.
- How to be smarter with consistency. Life is one crazy ride, but it doesn’t need to become overwhelming.
- How to let go of fear and shame, as in, thinking I will be judged, my work will be crap or overthinking about the worst possible outcome.
- How to earn money from something I’m passionate about.
- How to develop self-efficacy, which is the belief in my abilities to execute, and publish even though never feeling 100% ready.
- How to build self-confidence and understanding I’m better than I think I am. I have a voice, and it matters.
- How things run more smoothly when I feel confident.
- How to embrace the downtimes. I actually love feeling lazy. The less I have to work, the better.
- How much work I can get done just by being held accountable. The power of responsibility is within me.
- How to be more strategic with timing. My power of creation was so strong that I wanted to scale my own brand, sustainably.
- How kind people can be on the internet. I receive so many encouraging messages that I will be forever grateful.
- How important it is to have a system or a process in place.
As long as I continue to channel my creative impulse and make opportunities happen, I’ll be more than ok.
My new word for 2020 is LIGHT
This word makes me feel hopeful, bright, nurturing, and agile. More specifically: free, calm, lighthearted, warm, brilliant, rich, aligned, and lightweight.
This means that I will:
- Make sure to find space in my mind for high-level thinking with meditation and yoga.
- Obsess about helping people figure their shit out.
- Become a humble beacon of hope and kindness but in a cool millennial way.
- Deal with the chaos and stress more calmly by practicing stoicism.
I’m looking forward to:
- Grow my community and business. Lots of knowledge to share.
- Move to a bigger place. A woman wants a proper office.
- Visit my mom. I miss her so much.
- Go for a beach vacation. I miss the sun so much.
- Listen to more live music. Crossing fingers for new Lady Gaga and Tame Impala.
- Improve my mind and body energy. Be stronger, resilient and strategic.
Have you picked your word for 2020? What is it?
By the way, my favourite resource to bring more intention to the year is Susannah Conway’s Unraveling Your Year Ahead Workbook. It’s a powerful opportunity that helps you go back to yourself.
Check back tomorrow for the 2nd day of Christmas post!
