A theme for the year is an umbrella and it will set the tone for 2012.

One of MY themes this year is “stay in my lane”.  I’m pretty darn focused already but I want to be even more so this year.

One of the challenges of being a creative person is the sheer volume of ideas that float around in my mind.  There are so many projects I’d like to do and many directions I’ve considered going with my business.  And, since I open myself up to receiving input from the outside world (smart to do, since it does add fuel to creativity), I get a daily dose of emails about various programs, trainings and ‘ways to go’ with my biz.  Staying plugged in, to a degree, helps me know what’s hot and the trends within my industry and the world.

Last year was a year of gathering ideas.  This year, it’s about executing more of my ideas.

For example, last year I learned about publishing for e-readers such as Kindle and Nook.  This year, I’m publishing some tomes!  No, not really.  I have a short series in mind.

Hey, if MY theme fits YOU, borrow it!

If not, here are some additional ideas for you to consider!

*  Abundance
*  Completion
*  Simplification
*  Home as a Haven
*  Balance
*  Confident Communicator
*  Rebuilding
*  Healing
*  Health and Radiance
*  Money Machine
*  Superhot at 50
*  Being Fully Supported (recruiting people to help you in all areas of life)
*  Doubling My Network of Friends
*  FUN and laughter
*  Working less, making more
*  Collaboration
*  Awareness
*  Personal Growth
*  Stretching Myself (beyond a comfort zone)
*  Feeling Grateful
*  Easy-Breezy

You can get as creative with your wording as you’d like.  A solid theme feels empowering and exciting.  What will yours be this year?

A few notes about themes:

1.  All of your goals will *not* align with your theme, most likely.  That’s OK.  Many of them will, though.

2.  One way to determine your theme is to look at the top goals you want to accomplish this year and see if there’s a common ‘theme’ such as restoring your health or updating your home.

3.  Yes, you may choose more than one theme.  Select up to three, if you’d like.  Consider having one for work and another for your personal life.

4.  LOOK at your theme every single day as a constant reminder of the direction you want to go this year.  I can’t stress this enough.    An easy way to do this is by framing your theme as a single word or phrase and displaying it in a prominent place.  Where will you look at it each day?  By the kitchen sink while doing dishes?  Your bathroom?  Nightstand?  No one else needs to know what ‘abundance’ framed by your sink means.  It’s your theme so choose a location that serves you.

5.  Once you have a theme identified, you’ll find it’s much easier to select goals.  Let’s say your theme is ‘Abundance’.  Ask yourself:  What would ABUNDANCE (or any theme word) do this year?  Then, write out whatever comes to mind as your goals.

Questions To Help You Pick Your Theme

*  What would bring you peace if you could find a solution for it?  (ex:  If debt is a problem, choose a money related theme.)

*  What’s something you’ve been ignoring that needs some attention?  (ex:  Relationship in trouble due to work schedule?  Love or Balance might be good themes.)

*  What’s a life lesson that keeps popping up?  (ex:  Always feel like you’re in survival mode?  Getting Ahead is a good theme.)

*  What do you value most?  (ex:  Does simplicity always nurture you?  Choose Simplicity as a theme for the year and apply it to every area of life.)

*  What brings you joy?  (ex:  Do you love your one hour in the garden each month?  Ramp it up as a theme this year and call it Green Thumb year or Hobby-Time.)

*  What was your theme last year, even if it was unintentional?  (ex:  Were you in fear mode?  If you could do it over, which theme would’ve produced a more fulfilling year?  Choose that for 2012.)

ANYTHING goes with a theme.  Play with your words and come up with something that FEELS really good and exciting on some level.

Your coach,