One Little Word 2011
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My 2011 necklace from the lovely Lisa Leonard. Get one for yourself here.
My word for 2011 is light.
This year my word sure seemed to choose me.
Most years I start thinking about my word for the following year in November or December. I think about it in passing and start listening, looking, and being open to the possibilities of a new word.
This year the word light seemed to be trying to catch my attention.
I found it in books, in magazines, in music, in conversations and in quiet moments.
So I'm going with it. It's already surprised, delighted, challenged and sparked some new things within me.
Some years I've had to look harder or listen longer or simply choose one that fit with what was on my mind and heart at that moment. There's no right or wrong. The main thing to remember is that this is your word. It's not for your child, parent, partner, spouse, sister, etc.
And what do you do with this one little word?
You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities.
I'd love to read what word you've chosen or are considering for 2011. In the comments feel free to simply leave your word as your comment or write a bit about why you are choosing this word.
In a couple of days I'll post a compilation of the words as an inspirational reminder to us all.
If you’re new to the concept of One Little Word, you can read some of my previous posts here: 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010.
NEW FOR 2011 : ONE LITTLE WORD at BIG PICTURE CLASSES
I'm excited to be offering a brand new One Little Word online workshop through Big Picture Classes in 2011 as a way to connect with and honor our words throughout the year.
Each month you'll receive a prompt with a simple creative project and a gentle reminder to check back in with your word. By the end of the year you'll have compiled the contents of an 8.5x11 album that documents, defines, celebrates and generally makes your word more visible. Workshop materials include printable elements, full-color PDF handouts, and video presentations.
People have been asking me if you have to be a scrapbooker for this class. My answer is no. Even though we are making an album it's really more of a journaling/record keeping/thinking/exploring project. I'm excited to see how people interpret the prompts and make them meaningful for their own lives.
This is not complicated and it's not time-consuming. It's simply a way we can come together to share our experience with our words throughout the course of the year.
The One Little Word classroom opens on January 1, 2011.
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1654 comments
Risk(s). Taking them, embracing them, and learning from them.
Both in the bigger things in life (starting a new business) and the smaller things (dying my hair a strange colour).
Can't wait!
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love the word risk!! very good choice, indeed!!
I just ran across this idea today. When I read your word, risk, it literally sent shivers down my spine. I need to think about it for a few more days, but what a great word! This is totally what I need right now.
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I have chosen the word "responsibility".
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Hi Ali, I've chosen MOVE as my 2011 word. As in "out of my rut/comfort zone . . ." There are 3 big areas that this applies in my life and I too am excited about your class - my jazzy red album is ready!
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MOVE is my word too. ;)
This is one of my 'top 3' words!!!
another great word!
it is so defining of many things.
good for you!
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My word seemed to choose me this year too. I wrote this almost a month ago, as part of a daily journal entry: "Focus. In all things, I need focus. Less distraction, less procrastination, less avoidance. Focus on what is important. Focus on getting things done. Focus on my relationship. Focus on the decisions that will shape our future. Focus on my health and welfare. Focus on my job." So that's my word - FOCUS.
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FOCUS - it hit me last night that this would be my word! I just purchased the Kindle version of Leo Babauta's book - thanks for the suggestion.
I am purchasing supplies for class today - can't wait!
Thanks for that, I've just downloaded the free version of the e-book as a starting point!
Have you checked out Leo's (zenhabits.NET)e-book,Focus? Very good read.
That's my word too, Jenny -- FOCUS. At first, it came to be because it's the thing in photography that I most need to work on, but as I thought about it, it is something I need in my life as well. Everything you said goes for me as well regarding the need for focus in my life. I plan to order my Lisa Leonard necklace today. My birthday is January 2, so it will be a birthday present to myself.
Focus is my word too! I ran across someone's thoughts on this word and it really stuck with me. Still need to explore my thoughts on it further, but I think this is my word!
I too chose focus. I need to focus on my job, my home and my health. I hope to break the months up into the different things I want to focus on.
My word last year was focus. I loved it! I kind of want to use it again!
I think mine is going to be focus as well. I was leaning toward something else but then I realized that it probably won't be as much a theme for the whole year (I hope) as focus needs to be.
Focus has two meanings for me. I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, so that meaning is obvious. But it also means to get better at narrowing my priorities and shutting out extraneous stuff that distracts me from them. Choose my goals and go for them.
Count me in the "Focus" Group.
I really need to Focus on getting things done this year - No more starting and stopping or forgetting them all together. Focus on getting myself and my family where we need to be.
Who knows, maybe I'll even apply Focus to finally learning how to use my new camera!
Mine is focus too! I feel so all over the place lately--can't find stuff, can't finish stuff, can't remember stuff. I need to focus on me and what I want to accomplish this year. In general it'll make me a better wife and mother if I do.
Put me in the FOCUS group. Can't wait for the class
My word is focus too, I can't wait. I have lots of things to focus on this year and that books sounds a good starting point!
Jenny, FOCUS was my word in 2008 - I knew I was going to have a newborn baby and was going to start homeschooling...so I knew I'd need focus in my life! :) It's such a great word!!!
"Focus" was my word last year. I was unemployed after being laid off and I needed "focus" in order to figure out where my next steps were going to be and get myself back on track. It really helped me last year. It is a great word to live by!
focus is my word, too, for 2011. I love that it's a noun and a verb, with a bit of photography thrown in, too. looking forward to the class and to seeing how the year evolves with focus.
FOCUS is the word that chose me, as well. Good luck!
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I was working on using the word Focus, but it was sounding like work and not fun. Then I started reading the book "Manifesting Change" and the word "HAPPY" found me!
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my word is happy too... finding happiness in anything and everything that may come my way in 2011... and I love how that ties in to manifesting change - thanks for more inspiration.
And thanks to Ali for so much inspiration to so many people
I have also chosen Happy. I've noticed that over the past few years I developed a habit of focusing on the negative stuff in my life way too much. So recently I've been learning how to focus on being happy, just because. I decided this morning to make that my word for the year, then later when I was putting up my 2011 Mary Engelbreit calendar that I bought 2 months ago I saw that it is called, "All the Happiness You Can Handle!" I love life's little synchronicities... they make me happy. hee hee :-)
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Growth - in relationships, health, life, pocketbook, space
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i've chosen "intention" as my word for the 2011. i want to be more present, be more conscious of what i am doing, and live with purpose instead of just coasting along on auto pilot! this is my first year doing this-excited to see how this unfolds.
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LOVE that word!! What a great choice!
You pretty much nailed it on the head for me too. Intention is also my word and this is the first time I have chosen a word. Should be an interesting journey.
This will also be my first year with a One Little Word and I've also chosen the word INTENTION after a couple weeks of thinking it over.
Though I didn't choose a 2010 word I think it would have been LEARN. I learned a lot more about myself, my relationships, my role as a parent, manager, etc, etc.
Given what I LEARNed this year I want my actions in 2011 to be truly INTENTIONal. Really looking forward to this journey!
This is my word too. I saw it in print a few days ago and it just clicked!
chose a similar word for very similar reasons - AWAKE
INTENTION speaks to me as well. Here's to fully living 2011!
My word is "intention," too - for the same reasons as some of the others. Yes, sometimes things/events/opportunities we want to happen do so without any effort on our part but I'm tired of just waiting for them to happen. I don't know how I got to this point but it ends this year!
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I've let myself slip a lot in the past few months and have decided to take control of my body and my life. I started a blog called The Year of Me and have joined your BPC class. My 2011 word is RENEW. Thanks so much for the inspiration, Ali!
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My word is Renew, as well! I need to renew my physical, emotional & mental resources and start things (again) that bring a sense of wellbeing into my life. I've poured all of myself into being a (single) mother & now its time to renew & replenish!
I love this idea Lainey!! Good Luck and have fun in the class!
That is my word too! I think it chose me. I have contemplated a few words, but keep coming back to this one.
Hi Lainey
I almost went with renew too, then at he 11th hour I changed to reform, as I actually want to change the way I do things as well as start things again. I am spelling it both as reform, and as re-form (like reforumlate) as I think there are subtle differences between the two spellings.
Just found your blog post on choosing a word for the year..what a great idea! I was worried I wouldn't be able to find my word, or have it find me, but then reading thru the comments my word just jumped out at me..RENEW..it's perfect! I want to renew my health this year,my self, my life, renew my creativity,my faith, and hopefully renew a love relationship that means the world to me..thank you for such a great inspiration!! RENEW, RENEW, RENEW!
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I have chosen 'learn' as my word for 2011. Or rather, it has chosen me. I have finally found, and just started, a bachelor study that is SO ME and doable with my health limitations and I have been learning a lot about myself lately and hope to continue to do that in 2011!
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I chose learn as my word last year, and I was amazed at the things I picked up last year simply because I was in a frame of mind to think about what I was learning. Have a fun 2011 learning and discovering all kinds of new things.
This is also my word, but in a different direction. Yes, I'd like to get back into school after taking this last year off, but this word is about learning who I am and learning to be a better me. I had kids and got married right out of high school, and I never really learned who I am besides a wife and mom. Everything I do is because I am someone for someone else - I have no idea who I am as an individual or even how to be by myself. 2011 is about learning who I am as an individual to be a better person only other roles.
Andrea, you should listen to Reba McEntire's song "Is There Life Out There". If you have never heard it, you might relate to what she is saying in the lyrics. Sounds like you have worked hard at being a wife and mother and now just want to be you. Good for you and good luck on your journey.
"Learn" is my word for 2011 also. It kept coming back to me over and over again, mostly in the context of 'lessons I must learn'. While that sounds or could be 'heavy', I kept the word as my word, and am trying to remain open to whatever learning experiences may come my way and try not to pass judgment on them. One would think I might know better about hasty judgments by now, but I often don't! Time to learn?
Learn is also my word. Learn many different things in many different areas of my life. Learn to be a better wife/mother. Learn how to be a better/happier me. Learn to use things better EX: my computer, photoshop, digital scrapping. Learn learn learn.
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My word is Happy. I want to spend more time being happy and less time being obsessive about a lot of things. This word just keeps reappearing in everything I think and do.
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'Happy' has also choosen me. This is my first time choosing 'one little word', and the fit seems to be perfect in this time of my life. I'm choosing to rewrite my story and journey of life, and I want/need to find happiness. Can't wait to get started with the BPclass. :)
I'm also going along with the same idea HAPPYNESS (spelling it this way cause it makes it makes me HAPPY) will be my word. I just want to be happy about all aspects of my life; (relationships, home, work, play, family, health/weight, choices and creativity). And i think that this word will have me be patient, content, and grateful not to mention i would have to surrender and give up all the little unnecessary unimportant things that get in my way.
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Thinking about the word Journey...
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that was my word for 2010. saw it everywhere. I chose it from a comment my son made about the harry potter books "It's about his Journey". I found it required work, and I enjoyed the paths I took. Have a wonderful 2011 Journey.
Journey is my word for this year. I'm starting a weight loss journey...beginning my 30th year at the same job...will attend my 35th high school reunion...celebrate 25 years of marriage...attend my oldest child's college graduation...and take a journey with my husband's extended family to Kenya to visit the place they lived for many years as missionaries. It will be a very full year and I want to enjoy the journey.
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My word for this year is FOCUS. It comes as a result of feeling frustrated about all the things I have flying around in my head - problem solving, scrapbooking projects, art journal pages and a myriad of untackled projects stemming from last year's word which was Simplify - that I just couldn't seem to get to. I feel time management is a big contributor to that frustration and almost thought my word should be Time. But I realize that my problem is that I may have too much on my plate. I need to figure out how to spend the precious time I have and it all comes down to focusing on what I choose to do, putting my energy into that and being content with it.
I'm so excited to be taking your class, Ali, because I feel it will really help me accomplish that goal. A nice little New Year's gift necklace wouldn't hurt, either!
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I am thinking about clean,clean eating, clean house, clean & simple approach to all things in 2011.
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Good choice! Clean is my secondary word!
Great word and ideas...
I'm a Maureen too, and as a Virgo, clean is a lifetime word for me!
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"JOY." Like you Ali - my word has followed me around during this entire holiday season, causing me to look deeper at things I do, and why I do them. It has shown up in all different places, and I want to start paying attention to it. Looking forward to the journey! As always - thanks for the inspiration!
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I love this word. Joy was my word of the month. I decided to spread joy to people during this crazy, stressful month. It really worked to keep me in a joyful spirit and I touched alot of people by surprising them with joyful actions. Great choice of word ladies. I hope you all have a joyful year.
I've been lying here with words & feelings rushing over me & I was struggling to find The One Litle Word to encompass what I want to achieve for 2011, I was thinking let-go but that wasn't working, release wasn't strong enough, enjoy was getting there but it wasn't until I started looking up words in the dictionary that I found the definition of what I want to do & feel - Joy is a feeling of delight so deep and so lasting that one radiates happiness and expresses it spontaneously: my word is joy!
So well put, Sally! Yes, Joy has also followed me around this season and it was my first choice. Reading along here, I sure could several of these words as my focus, focus actually being one of them!!! But I'm going with Joy!
Hey Ladies - I can't believe so many have responded here! I'm very excited about our WORD! I think that God has big things for us this year. There are SO many different things that can be included in JOY (wonder, thankfulness, happiness, intentional appreciation...), and it is not just something to be enjoyed by ourselves - but rather, something to SHARE. Praying that your JOY may be full in 2011! ~Sally
my word is joy too. I want to find joy in everyday things this new year... I believe in the power of language, too, but never thought of doing this. What a great idea!
I love the word joy! My favorite aunt who passed away about 5 years ago was named Joy and everytime I saw/heard that word this past holiday season, I especially thought of her. I was going to use the word "embrace" but I think that "Joy" was speaking to me! I have never done OLW so this will be a new thing for me. Guess it's time to sign up for Ali's class!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
I chose JOY, too. I think in being joyful, we must be thankful, happy, and purposeful,as well. Other words that I thought about were grace,health, and shine...but I think joy covers them all.
Marybeth
That's my word, too! It just popped into my head when I decided to have a word for this year, but I thought maybe I should think about it a little more. But it just kept coming back to me... So I decided to surrender to it! I've decided to choose joy next year even in situations it will be hard to do so...
Since I picked the word "Joy" yesterday, I have seen it maybe 4 or 5 different times, in very different places! I know that Christmas just finished but only 1 of those times was even holiday related! I think it is definitely a sign that joy is the right word for me! Thanks again, Sally! :)
My word also is "joy." (find, recognize, feel, cause, share, etc.)
I've chosen joy too. It ecompasses so much...from finding joy, being joyful, and enjoying.
My word is also JOY it found me, after a very hard and unhappy year. I'm going to make JOY my focus this year!
I'm a "JOY" girl this year as well. I have a silver ring I bought myself a while back that says JOY on it and I find myself choosing to wear it on days when I need a little extra luck or on special days. So when it came time to choose something for this year, it was an easy answer.
I'm getting married in August, and I *really* want to remember that this event is about joy and love, and NOT about STRESS! :)
Good luck everyone! and thanks for being so inspiring Ali!
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My word, and it chose me, will be action. I need and want to take action on all my good intentions, my desires, and the things that are necessary. I want to live my life and the only way to do that is to take action.
Can't wait for your BPC class to start!
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I'm still contemplating my word, but wanted to say yours is wonderful!!! I may have to join you, hmmmmmmmmm.... let me explore a bit more :)
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My word for 2011 is RELEASE. I've held on to too much, not letting go of "good" so that I can have "great".
I plan on using Ali's class this year to make my word a significant part of 'two thousand and heaven' (another blogger's FABULOUS way of referring to the coming year being as great as she wants it to be)!!!
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I think I just found my word!! I've been struggling with different ideas and nothing really fit...I was kind of leaning towards "self" but it still wasn't feeling right. Then as soon as I read your post,Jodi, the proverbial lightbulb went on! "Release" more truly encompasses everything I want to achieve in 2011!! Thanks so much!
Hi Jori!
My word for 2010 was release! It has been amazing having that word in my life!!! I released disappointments, released kilos, released hang ups, released expectations from people who will never change, i released anger, frustration etc etc - i love that word! I think my 2011 word is change, but i am struggling - i have a least 10 words i LOVE!
love from andrea in australia - am SO excited to participate in BP class!
I like your approach to this. Great!
My word is 'release' also. There is so much I want to let go of - unrealistic expectations, things I can no longer do now that I'm getting older, things that clutter up my life. I'm excited to see where else this word takes me this year.
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My word is going to be "fearless"
I feel that I hold back a lot because I am afraid. Afraid of what people think, what will happen, what won't happen. Too many roadblocks
I just want to be fearless for a while.
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My word is also FEARLESS. I have so many things that I want/need to do this year and always put off taking the 1st step because I'm worried about failure and rejection. I'm going to use my word to hold my head up and take on my fears face on!
LOVE your word Dellie!! This word has been inspiring me lately too. I've been reading the inside cover of Taylor Swift's album Fearless. Love what she wrote about the word.
My 2010 word was Fearless. It was a bold and pushy word that guided me through some very difficult times. It was important for me to remember that the goal was to fear LESS as without fear was not realistic - at least for me. Good luck with fearless in 2011!
I have been searching for my word and when I saw 'fearless' I knew that was IT!
2010 has been a good life changing year. One of those changes was taking care of myself and losing 80 pounds! I think I carried that weight as a shield, to keep people at a distance... to keep me from getting hurt. You can't be rejected if you keep everybody at a distance, right?
Part of the reason I want to be 'fearless' is I am divorced (18 years now!) with grown children and I am SO tired of being alone, but have been too scared to meet new people... so my word is going to be 'fearless' and I am very excited about it!!!
Fearless is my word as well! I, too have been letting the fear of too many things stifle me.
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feast.
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I just started reading your blog this fall, so the One Word project is a new one to me.
The last few weeks I've been thinking A LOT about the word "compassion".
It's clear that this is the word for me.
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My word it 'LESS'
I need LESS clutter and confusion in my life and 2011 is the year I want to accomplish that
Can't wait for class to start
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Thank you, Madeline! I have been trying to find the right word that captured the feeling of what I want to focus on...the closest I had gotten was simplicity. When I saw your word, less, I realized that perfectly described what I am craving for the new year!
Thank you, Ali, for this fabulous class. This is my first time participating in OLW and I am really excited!
I keep coming back to this word too! I just can't wrap my arms around it yet. Glad to hear someone else is using it.
I was reading the comments looking for someone else who had chosen LESS as their word. I need so much LESS in my life right now (clutter, weight, calories, stress.) I know focusing on LESS will ultimately give me MORE of what I really need.
Best wishes to you in 2011!
I was originally thinking declutter and then saw simplify, but this is it - LESS. I like it. I need less in my life: less stress, less clutter, less sleep actually. Thanks for the suggestion. It's perfect.
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