Here's what I need to do in 2014...
I need to focus all of my mental and spiritual energy on writing my book and making some money. The money could be made through writing the book, or by any other means which are available to me, hopefully acting. I am sick and tired of not having time to write and of not having any money. Not that money would make everything perfect, but it would certainly make life easier, which would allow me more time to...write.
So I've been trying to pick a Word of the Year to inspire me toward this goal. My first thought was "Focus". But I feel like there's a slightly negative side to that, sort of assuming that I'm not focusing at all - "Pay attention, woman!". I wanted to find an even more specific word, a word that would make me channel all of my aforementioned mental and spiritual energy, make me super focused.
And so I have chosen as my Word of 2014...
LASER
A laser beam of energy coming straight from my brain, cutting through all the extraneous bull of my life and pointed at what I need to do. I looked up "laser" in the dictionary and it said "a devise that produces...a coherent beam of light by exciting atoms to a higher energy level and causing them to radiate their energy in phase." Yes! That's it! That is what I need.
And so here is the promised acrostic. It's less of a poem and more of a declaration. I think I'll print it out and tape it on a cabinet in the kitchen to read every day...
Learn to prioritize.Time to write and work has to be my top priority.
Accept occasional mediocrity.It’s okay if some things are not done perfectly well. No one cares if my house is perfectly clean, or the meals are perfectly prepared.
Say no.This is one of the hardest things for me. Every time anyone asks me to help them, I say “yes”. It’s almost pathological. I must pick and choose what I agree to take on.
Everybody can take care of themselves a little more.I don’t have to be the caretaker of every damned person I know. Jimmy can cook a meal every now and then, and Jude is capable of doing his homework on his own.
Resist the nonsense that derails me.While a certain amount of silly game playing does help me to relax, I must resist the need during the middle of time I could be writing to check on my crops in Farmville or give Homer a new task in Tapped Out. And by the way, I need more Tapped Out neighbors, so if any of you play it, let me know and I’ll email you my user name!
So that's it. LASER. I have now actually printed it out and fixed it to the wall. I hope it helps me.
Please check out Ginny Marie and the other Word of the Year spinners!
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Love your word and your honesty I want exactly what you want. I truly do, I don't want to write a book but I do want to write on my blogs and money yes lots of money (l wrote that like Goldie Hawn said it on Overboard) so I also picked a word and that is FUN! I will write about it soon...
Focus
Understand
Nucleus
Have a great day!
Posted by: Marisa | 01/10/2014 at 04:05 AM
I think I need to print out my word! That's a great idea! Even though we picked out different words, our goals for 2014 are very similar. I would really like to go to a writing conference or take a class this year.
Posted by: Ginny Marie | 01/10/2014 at 05:00 AM
I didn't participate this week, although the prompt spoke quite loudly to me. My word for the year is "ATTITUDE" because I'm in the process of giving mine a major adjustment. I have a great deal to say about it, but can't in a public venue without making someone near and dear to me quite upset, unfortunately.
Posted by: Jan's Sushi Bar | 01/10/2014 at 06:50 AM
That is a great word and great goals. I haven't done anything...literally. What word best describes; "get off your butt and get something done"?
Posted by: Michele | 01/10/2014 at 08:49 AM
There are times when I could use more laser and less procrastinate. It's just that procrastinate is easier. Must work on motivation too.
Posted by: VandyJ | 01/10/2014 at 10:11 AM
I love all of this -- particularly your acrostic. I'm still trying to figure out why LUSH is my word of the year. Stay tuned!
And good luck with your writing -- you MUST do it. You are funny, and so, so talented --
Posted by: Elizabeth Aquino | 01/10/2014 at 10:24 PM
I love that in one sentence you're saying you must spend less time on Tapped Out, and in the next you're asking who wants to be your neighbor on Tapped Out. LOL! Laser, Gretchen, laser! ;)
Printing out your word is a good idea, too. We need these visual reminders. My word (trust) is on an index card on the hutch part of my desk right next to my Divine Mercy holy card with "Jesus, I trust in You." I think that's going to be my mantra for the year.
Posted by: Angelina Costenaro | 01/11/2014 at 01:15 PM
I love that word! I think it is very fitting for what you want to accomplish!
Posted by: Kristina Walters | 01/13/2014 at 09:04 AM