My Twice Baked Potato

On New Year’s Day, I picked my word for 2014.  I had seen others talking about it and comparing their word, so I thought I would try it. I searched for the  word.

Optimization!

Optimization means…the act, process, or methodology of making something (as a decision, system, or design) as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible.

I loved it.  I claimed it.  I thought it was perfect for what I wanted to do with myself and my life this year.

The only problem is….now what?!  How do I use this perfect word to make things happen?

This must be why people hit a wall with their resolutions.  If it was easy to change our behavior, we wouldn’t need to wait for that famous ball to drop in order to proclaim new intentions and goals.  We would just do it!  The problem is…I drop the ball, many do.  It’s not anyone’s fault but change is hard, especially change that requires real action.

So I started to think that maybe I should begin with little steps.

For example, I was more organized when I put the Christmas tree ornaments away this year.  I grouped them into categories, wrapped them, and put those groups in the storage containers together.  My hope is that this will make next year’s set up a bit more effective.

I spent time gathering forgotten items and took those to the donation station.  This, made me feel as those I was making my surroundings a bit more functional.

I attempted to make my laundry room more functional by washing until I could see the bottom of the laundry basket.

The word helped.  Having a focus did help. I can see how “optimization” can help with setting a budget and organizing the pantry, but can it help me with the big issues?

Can it help me when my son is crying and anxious about returning to school on Monday?

Can it help me with my writing goals of increasing my audience, finishing that manuscript, actually being  a writer?

Can it help me move more and stop the emotional eating that seems to take over when I focus on my son’s anxiety or my lack of time for writing?

Can it help me be more patient?  More energetic?  More loving? More present? More fun to be around?

I hope so.

I know that I shouldn’t be too hard on myself; I have only used my “optimization lens” for a few days and sometimes, I am a bit resistant to change.

So now, I ask you…Did you pick a word?  Has that one word made a change in your thinking or behavior?

I would love to hear your stories and suggestions 🙂