After giving it some thought I’ve decided to take brief hiatus from this blog, but will be back in late August. I am planning to reboot the Six Week Creator Challenge at that time, for a number of reasons. First of all, I’ve come to the hard realization that, as usual, I have WAY TOO MUCH on my plate. Or, to mix metaphors, too many plates in the air. I’m trying to work on this challenge, create products for TpT to get ready for the Back-to-School season on TpT, revise a novel, start a new novel, finish up some work on Fiverr, which I plan to eventually cancel (more on that in August), and get my kids ready to go back to school.
I forgot how crazy this time can be, with back-to-school shopping, doctors apppointments, and trying to squeeze out a few more summer memories with my kids. It was completely foolish of me to try to a new challenge at this time.
I also want to rethink the challenge, and one reader gave me the idea that I should create it as a free course, along with some worksheets or a workbook, to give readers a concrete way to follow along and to have a resource as a takeway.
So, in conclusion, I’ve decided to spend the remainder of July hanging out with my kids and getting organized for the fall, and spend August focusing my efforts on creating content BEFORE I start posting again. One of the biggest struggles I have as a creator is FOCUS, and I’m also trying out new ideas and spreading myself too thin.
Be sure to subscribe so you’ll get an email when I return, because I’m going to have some amazing free offers at that time. Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the summer season!
Happy New Year! I hope you are having a restful holiday and I wish you all the best for the new year.
I’ve recently discovered a simple practice that has the potential to shape the entire year—choosing a Word of the Year.
The idea is elegantly straightforward: select a single word that encapsulates the essence of what you want to manifest in the coming year. This word becomes your guiding light, a beacon that directs your focus, shapes your priorities, and fuels your journey. Some examples include: Renewal, Growth, Resilience, Balance, Harmony, or Transformation, but the posibilities are endless. You could even brainstorm by making lists or a word web before settling on your word.
The benefits of this practice are far-reaching. At the end of this post I’ll share the word I’ve chosen, why I’ve chosen it, and how I plan to use it to focus my goals. I will also invite you to share your word.
Here are some examples of how a single word might impact your year:
Renewal: A Fresh Start
“Every morning brings new potential, but only if you take the first step.”
Choosing ‘Renewal’ as your Word of the Year is an invitation to embrace fresh beginnings. It’s a commitment to shedding the old, obsolete layers and stepping into a revitalized version of yourself. This year, make it your mission to approach each day with a renewed sense of purpose and energy.
Growth: Cultivating Your Potential
“Like a tree, your growth is not defined by imperfections, but by the strength to keep reaching for the sun.”
Opting for ‘Growth’ signifies an unwavering commitment to personal and professional development. It’s about expanding your horizons, stepping out of your comfort zone, and allowing yourself the space to flourish. Cultivate the mindset of a lifelong learner, and watch as your world expands in ways you never thought possible.
Resilience: Bouncing Back Stronger
“In the face of adversity, resilience is your greatest ally.”
Resilience, your chosen word, becomes a source of strength when faced with challenges. Life is unpredictable, but your response to adversity is within your control. This year, let ‘Resilience’ be your armor, helping you bounce back from setbacks and emerge stronger than ever before.
Balance: Nurturing Harmony Within Chaos
“In the dance of life, find your rhythm and savor the harmony.”
‘Balance’ is a powerful word that resonates with the need to harmonize the various facets of your life. Juggling work, relationships, and personal well-being can be challenging, but by choosing ‘Balance,’ you commit to finding equilibrium. Strive to allocate time and energy to each aspect of your life, creating a symphony of fulfillment.
Harmony: Creating Synchronicity
“In the orchestra of life, let harmony be the melody that guides your actions.”
Selecting ‘Harmony’ is an acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of your goals and values. It’s about aligning your actions with your beliefs, fostering positive relationships, and creating a cohesive narrative for your life. Allow ‘Harmony’ to guide your decisions, bringing a sense of unity to your journey.
Transformation: Embracing Evolution
“To transform is to evolve; embrace the journey of becoming who you are meant to be.”
‘Transformation’ is a bold choice, representing the profound shifts you aspire to make. This word calls for embracing change, challenging the status quo, and evolving into the best version of yourself. Let ‘Transformation’ be the catalyst for growth and the driving force behind your pursuit of excellence.
How to Harness the Power of Your Word:
Reflect: Take a moment to reflect on the past year—its triumphs, challenges, and the lessons learned. Identify the themes or aspirations that resonate with where you are now and where you want to go.
Choose with Intention: Select your Word of the Year with purpose. It should be a word that inspires you, resonates with your goals, and encapsulates the essence of what you want to achieve. Trust your instincts; the right word will find you.
Visualize: Create a visual representation of your word. This could be a vision board, a piece of art, or simply a written statement. Place it where you’ll see it daily, serving as a constant reminder of your focus and aspirations.
Incorporate into Goal Setting: Align your goals with your chosen word. If ‘Growth’ is your word, set specific objectives that contribute to your personal and professional development. Let your word inform the direction of your goals.
Check-In Regularly: Regularly revisit your Word of the Year. Consider how it’s influencing your decisions, actions, and overall mindset. Use it as a touchstone to ensure alignment with your aspirations.
Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate the progress you make throughout the year. Small victories are stepping stones to more significant achievements. Celebrate your journey and the person you are becoming.
Embrace the power of your chosen word, and watch as it transforms your year into a masterpiece of growth, resilience, balance, harmony, and, ultimately, transformation. This is your year—empower it with intention, purpose, and the transformative energy of your chosen word.
For my word of the year, I’ve chosen ABUNDANCE. For the past two years I’ve felt the constant constriction of LACK. Lack of time, lack of energy, lack of money. I’m determined this year to focus on what I WANT, not what don’t want.
Abundance means and abudance of time, energy, happiness, money, contentment, ideas, creativity, memories, and love.
If you share your word in the comments, I will create a custom blog post in the next week based on your word, sharing images, thoughts, ideas, and resources based on your word. I will also spend time each month revisiting my word and how it is impacting my year.
ELA Source 
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