Once again, I'm late to a party. This is a chronic problem that I have and, unfortunately, this time I can't blame my husband or my child. I'm the one that's to blame.
The party that I'm talking about is the “pick one word that will define your 2013” party. I first saw it on Money Saving Mom and then, a couple of weeks later, my college friend and blogger extraordinaire, Steph (the proprietess behind Life According to Steph. If you like to laugh, like smart people, and enjoy good writing, visit her site) did the same thing. And since I'm big on stealing good ideas from people I respect, I figured this would be a good thing to do.
Except there's just one problem. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a little wordy. I like to talk and I generally have a lot to say (except about Star Wars and general science fiction. That's a good way to make me go mute). So picking one word proved to be an extremely difficult feat.
And that's why I am late to the party. I couldn't pick a word. Every time I did choose one, I thought of 16 reasons why it wasn't good enough. Which, in it's own weird way, led me to the word I picked for this year. The word?
Commitment.
So why commitment?
I picked this word for several reasons. One, although I am good at keeping obligations to other people, I am terrible at keeping them for myself. If I make an appointment and something my kid or a friend needs, I will cancel in myself, even if it's something I've been looking forward to for a while. I make lots of promises to myself that I never fulfill. And I need to do a better job of staying committed to taking care of myself.
Two, I am terrible with follow through on projects that I start. I mean, I being with good intentions and all the energy and resolve to finish but then…nothing. Life gets in the way and I drop the project faster than I'd drop a loaded gun (provided that safety was on because that could get dangerous). Or, my self-confidence issues get in the way and I delve into all my negative self-talk and wind up talking myself out of whatever it is I was doing regardless of how good my idea might be. I need to learn to wade through that and stay committed to what I start.
Three, commitment shows discipline. It takes a lot of hard work and self-control to stay committed to a plan or idea. I know because I did it once before, when the husband and I were paying down our debt. And I remember how good I felt when I measured our progress and how confident I felt that we stuck to our commitment to get rid of that excess baggage. I need to rediscover that discipline and the way to achieve that is by committing to do it.
And finally, it sets a good example for my daughter. I've talked before (I think) about how much of what I do is to set a good example for her. How can I teach her to honor her commitments if I don't do the same? If she sees Mommy quitting, it's so much easier for her to say “I know that I said I'd do that but I really don't want to. You give up, too, Mommy.” And she'd be telling the truth. I can't have that.
So there you go. Commitment is the word of the year. I've laid out all my goals for the year and I will stay committed to them. In fact, feel free to ask me how they're going if you want to. I could use the extra accountability.
Readers, have you picked a word of the year? If so, what is it?
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[…] a mystery because I was afraid I'd fail miserably at it. Or quit halfway through. But since my word of the year is commitment, I knew that quitting is not an option. And the best way to hold myself accountable is to share it […]
Jana,
Commitment is a wise choice. My word for 2013 is an action word: Grow. I’m not immature — at least not outside my sense of humor — but I have certain goals to accomplish that will inherently make me “grow up.”
It’s been something I’ve battled lately because I really enjoy my young, fast-paced lifestyle. But I’ll have to forego some of it in order to accomplish my goals.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
“Grow”is definitely different than “growing up”. While we all reach a point that behaving like a teenager or college student needs to stop, we never reach a point where we have to stop growing. It’s how we become better people.
It is a saying and I do not limit it to a particular year. “Impossible is just an opinion!”
krantcents recently posted…Rich Man, Poor Man
Jana, I have much of the same issues with commitment as you, and therefore am WOWed by your choice! My 2013 word is “Frugal”. This is our first year of getting our finances in order, and “frugal” has to be our goal if we’re going to get there. Good luck with your new commitment to “Commitment”!
Laurie recently posted…Out on the Town: Good Reads for the Week Ending 1/25/13
Great word, Laurie! Being frugal is hard work, especially at first, but I know you can do it! Just beware of frugal fatigue. She’s a bitch!
I don’t usually do the word inspiration thing, but lately I’ve found myself saying “Let’s Hit It!” (no, not in a dirty way!), so maybe that’ll be it. Hit all the goals. Knock ’em down… weird? Maybe.
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted…$10 Off Gas… Not As Good A Deal As You Think
Not weird at all. And hey, at least you didn’t mean “hit it and quit it” 🙂
Why you harshing on Star Wars and SF?
Imagine the possibilities when you’re not bound by mere physical constraints. Make your own rules. 🙂
Hadn’t given any thought to any one word representing the whole year. Might give it a try for a *group* of words:
“If not now, then when?”
101 Centavos recently posted…Coffee Break: Case studies for companies – not so very good for investing or learning
Reminds me of the dialog from Spaceballs: “when will then be now?” “You missed it!” “When?” “Just now!”
But seriously, if you want to get something done, there’s no sense in waiting. The more distance you place between yourself and your goals/dreams, the harder they’ll be to achieve.
Heh! May the Schwartz be with you!
101 Centavos recently posted…Mongolian Fish Wrap
I think I’d make my word for the year explore. I want to explore new career options, explore possible business ideas and explore possible ways that the bf and I can start investing in real estate. These are things I didn’t used to think were possible, but now that I’m debt free I want to start thinking outside of the box.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted…My Dog Has More Coats Than I Do
What a great word! And congrats on being debt free! A whole new world of possibilities just opened up for you.
I think mine is consistency because it kind of blends commitment with repeatable action which is exactly what I need. So I’ve started my excel spreadsheet trackers, iPhone apps like Lift, and started on a new course. So far so good as it’s only been 1 week 🙂 Great post and thanks for the reflection!
Nunzio Bruno recently posted…Extreme Couponing…FTL?
Consistency is important. The more you do something, the easier it becomes to keep doing it. It’s great that you’ve found some systems that are helping you!