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TLB Word of the Year

My Word of the Year – 2022

My 2022 Word of the Year is a sign of the transition that has begun in my life and business.

The word I have chosen as my Word of the Year for 2022 is “No.”

No is a powerful word. It’s also an important life and business tool.

I realize why I need to say no to others who ask me to do things that are beyond my interest, concern, or responsibility.

Yet, I also need to say no to myself as I consider doing things I know are not appropriate or necessary for me to do.

I understand the importance of saying no to activities that can hurt me or damage the relationships I have with the important people in my life or damage the brand of my business. I no longer climb trees and I will continue to say no to the throngs of women who try to seduce me (ok, that last part is all in my mind).

I understand the importance of saying no to spending money that I don’t really need to spend. This year, for the first time ever we bought a used car instead of a brand new car. It has turned out to be a great buy.  I’m also no longer interested in buying a motorcycle or a boat.

I’ve become better at saying no to spending time on tasks that I really don’t have to do. I no longer have the desire to rebuild a classic car, change the oil in my car, or for me to replace the windows in our home.

I’m learning to say no to consuming excessive foods & drinks. Although this Christmas I made the best Southern Mac-N-Cheese ever, I only had 1 serving. I am also managing my beer intake much better as I frequently say no to the kegerator as I walk by it.

I’m learning to say no to giving up too early on projects I have committed to, that I really need to complete, in a timely manner. Just this week I completed a bunch of honey-do tasks that I kept ignoring and I am proud of myself that I got this article written before the end of the year.

I’m learning to say no to ignoring good books that I said I should read, but have not gotten to. I now have three books on my end table that I am reading, instead of jumping on Netflix after dinner every day. One of these books is “essentialism, The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. I’m eager to read this book.”

Being more purposeful at saying no to time-sucking activities is providing me more time to spend with family and friends.  Rebecca and I spent a week in Maryland helping her parents recently when I would previously rather have been working on new YouTube videos.

This week I called a dozen people I have not talked to in years because I previously allowed myself to be consumed by unnecessary time-sucking activities. These calls were rewarding in many ways, mostly strengthening my relationships with these people.

Although our business is all about social media, I have begun to say no to jumping on social media all day long. I’ve already deleted my Snapchat and Clubhouse accounts. I have also deleted the NCWiseguy persona I created on Facebook, Twitter, Google, and the associated blog. It was fun while it lasted, but it has become a distraction and had to go.

Being more deliberate at saying no is also giving me more time to look at our business as a component of my life and to evaluate what is really important and what we should change. After a lot of research and consideration, we added a new YouTube Channel to the business. I am committed to growing it over the next few years as I now have more time available to do so. Saying no to the right stuff is a good thing.

Are you afraid to say no? I used to be. I had that FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) problem.

Are you saying no to requests, activities, time sucks that you really should say no to? Learn to do this more and it can have a positive impact on your life and business.

I have begun to be more purposeful at using the word no to minimize time-sucking activities that I need to say no to.

I am sure my 2022 and beyond will be richer in relationships and business success as I practice using the word no with purpose and intention.

Happy New Year.

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TLB Word of the Year

My Word of the Year – 2021

My Word of the year for 2021 is Breathe.

The choice was sparked by numerous things that occurred in 2020 where I found breathing to be the most beneficial, if not the only appropriate action.

This included:

  • The Covid-19 Pandemic and all of the fear it created across the globe, including for me personally.
  • The 2020 Elections also caused me to think about breathing, the noun to the verb breathe.
  • Massive amounts of unemployment, financial crisis, including the impact all of this had on the stock market also caused me to use the word breathe.

Then I read the book Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor.  This really got me to think about the word breathe and how important it is in life, business, career, relationships, conflict resolution, negotiation and so many other aspects of life.

  • Breathe is a powerful tool that can resolve problems by fueling our minds for awesome thoughts and clearer perspectives.
  • Breathe can help us to listen better before responding, saving us from making mistakes caused by poor listening as we work to find quick responses.
  • Breathe flushes out the toxins created by negativity providing space for positivity.
  • Breathe allows our body to counter inner hate and allowing us clarity for the awesomeness of love.
  • Breathe heals the body from pain and illness.
  • Breathe is validation we are alive and a reminder to be grateful.
  • Breathe slowly is a style that enhances our lives and creates more happiness.
  • Breathe is the step needed to relax during conflict and periods of angst moving us towards resolution and a greater sense of calm.
  • Having our breath taken away by sights of wonderment, words of love & encouragement or immense happiness maximizes our lives.
  • When life throws us curve balls we don’t have control over, breathe is the only appropriate action.
  • Breathe is our most important life action. Never allow any other activity deter us from proper breathing.
  • When worry creeps into our minds, immediately take 10 breaths while influencing our mind to never worry about life situations we can’t correct or change.

It could be because I am sliding thru full adulthood, I’m realizing breath is not only a sustainer of life, but also the solution to so many things I’ve struggled with in the past. Regardless of why I am just now discovering this, I am grateful I have. Imagine if I had discovered the power of Breathe before I got to this stage of my life. I’m sure I could have handled life with much more grace and success.

Alas, I’m clearly a believer that “Take 10 slow & deep breathes” is the solution to so many problems.

In 2021 and beyond I am going to breathe more deliberately, especially when faced with challenges, or hard or grueling tasks. I will first breathe before attempting any other action.

I wish you long, steady, deep breathes in 2021 and beyond.

I found 99 quotes regarding Breathe that you may find interesting:

99 Awesome Quotes About Breathing (Respiratory Therapist Edition)

Welcome to 2021. Breathe and enjoy.

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TLB Word of the Year

My Word of the Year – 2020

I started using a word of the year back in 2013. Below are my previous year words:

  • 2019 – Wondering
  • 2018 – Action
  • 2017 – Gratitude
  • 2016 – Purpose
  • 2015 – Focus
  • 2014 – Deliberate
  • 2013 – #NoLimit

I remember making strides each year, in many cases because of my word of the year.

In 2013 I broke into new markets, 2014 I worked harder at new goals, 2015 I started ignoring the wrong stuff, 2016 I became even clearer at my business purpose, 2017 I added more volunteer activities to my calendar, 2018 I kept moving forward and in 2019 I started looking at new ideas for my business.

For 2020 I know I need a word that will help me keep up the focus, momentum, and activities. I’ve been pondering two words.

Amplify & Growth

As I pondered these two words a big difference came to mind.

Amplify provides for the opportunity to decline as with volume control.

Growth makes me think of the big Redwood trees in California.

Purchased Deposit Photos

Growth is what we all want, at least in our professional lives, careers, businesses, and our relationships. Growth of our investments would be a great thing as well.

I want my skills to grow.

I want my networks to grow.

I want my relationships to grow.

I want our business opportunities to grow.

I want our investments to grow.

I want our business to grow.

I think Growth is a great Mantra, ie Word of the Year for 2020.

What do you think? Do you have a word of the year that guides you in your steps?

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TLB Word of the Year

My Word of the Year – 2019

Yearly I put thought into a new Word of the Year.

These words become part of my year and help keep me on track of my goals in many different ways. They are never intended to disrupt me in any big way, but rather to help me along on my journey.

I encourage you to consider a word or phrase for yourself, on your own journey through life. Do you have a word that guides you as well?

This word has popped up in numerous conversations over the past few months and I can see how it will provide value for me in 2019 and beyond.

Webster defined Wondering as “desire or be curious to know something” as well as “feel admiration and amazement; marvel.”

Both of these definitions are applicable to my desire to wonder more as I journey forward in life. I want to continue to discover more knowledge and perspectives. I also enjoy admiring and being amazed by great things, words, events, and fabulous people in my life.

I intend to be #Deliberate as I apply this word of the year with #Purpose, #Focused on my goals as I execute the #Actions needed to be successful and show #Gratitude for my life.

Teddy

 

Previous Words of the Year:

2018 – Action

2017 – Gratitude

2016 – Purpose

2015 – Focus

2014 – Deliberate

2013 – #NoLimit

 

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TLB Word of the Year

My Word of the Year – 2018

Do you have a Word of the Year guiding you each year? I have been for some time now and it helps me stay on task.