Changing course when your WOTY expires early
I started out this year with a focus on getting grounded. In fact, I chose “Grounded” as my Word of the Year (WOTY). I figured that work would easily keep me occupied for at least 12 months. I looked up quotes about grounding. I created and daily repeated a new affirmation: I am grounded; I feel at ease. I amped up my meditation and yoga practices. I started journaling. And recently, with the advent of spring, I have spent more time in nature.
And, while I won’t say I am 100-percent grounded, or even as grounded as I will ever be, all the effort is paying off. I do feel more grounded. In fact, maybe it worked a little too well in regards to a WOTY. My grounding exercises have become habit, and I don’t believe they require the focused attention a WOTY implies.
And, truth be told, I have recently been drawn to a new word in a way that feels a little unfaithful to my original 2023 WOTY. I first saw this new word in a quote, and it sparked a little flame. “I’ll have to remember that for next year,” I told myself. Then I was reading a promotion for a book, and dang if that word didn’t grab my attention again. Then I heard it in a yoga practice and again in a YouTube video. This new word seems to be calling to me from throughout the Universe.
So is changing your WOTY mid-year an abandonment…being flighty…a lack of commitment? Or is changing your WOTY being flexible…listening to your gut…accepting what the Universe offers up?
Should I double-down on being “Grounded” until I am the Guru of Grounding. Or should I accept that my relationship with “Grounded” is strong enough to welcome a new intention into our lives.
I’m going with the latter.
If you are interested in my new Word of the Year…or Word of the Moment, as the case may be…stay tuned. I will unveil the word next week.
Flying starts from the ground. The more grounded you are, the higher you fly.”
J.R. Rim
Your turn
- Have you changed a goal or WOTY mid-course? How did it work out for you?
- Have you set an intention for this year, this month, this week, or this day? Or are you winging it?
- What else is on your mind? Anything at all; I just love to hear from you.
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I firmly believe that when the universe sends you multiple messages, you need to heed it! Especially if you feel like you’ve gone the 80/20 on grounded. Don’t dig yourself into a hole! I love how you’re being intentional. I’ve had WOTYs flop and then just tossed them away.
I have not picked a WOTY for a couple of years now, focusing more on my Life Vision Statement….and this post reminds me I need to refocus on that. It’s been a rough few months…from planning my mom’s move, settling her in, and then dealing with her passing away, I feel like I haven’t focused on me for awhile. Time to dust off my statement and think how I might start manifesting it again!
I’m looking forward to see what the universe has been saying to you.
Yes, Pat, it pays to listen to what the Universe has to say to you. This change feels right, mostly because it’s not that I’m struggling with my WOTY (grounded)…it’s too hard…but more that I am at peace with it and feel ready to move on. I also have a personal mission and values statement, into which I attempt to tie my WOTY.
I feel for you regarding your journey with you mother. We had a similar experience with my mom 2-1/2 years ago. Be patient and kind to yourself. Sending hugs!
Hi Christie – I think a #WOTY is there to inspire us towards an area we need some growth in. If you tick all (or most of) the boxes in that area before the year’s up then you get a gold star and can definitely pick something new to put your energy into. I look forward to seeing what your new word is and what you plan to do with it. x
Thanks, as always Leanne, for the encouragement. I agree that a WOTY should serve as inspiration and not as a carved-in-stone year-long goal. I’m working on being more in-tune with myself and the energy around me and acting accordingly, without requiring so much structure. Yet another lesson of retirement.
How interesting, thanks so much for sharing your experience with your WOTY Christie. Clearly being grounded has resonated such that the habit is already well embedded. In those circumstances, unless you want to become the go-to expert for all thing grounding, it is time to move on as you have decided to do. Looking forward to hearing your new word.
I’ve been working with a couple of coaches – the first one for a little over a year now, the second for six months. I choose them to help me with the sales and marketing of my own burgeoning coaching business. Shortly after I engaged the second one, I began to feel drawn to yet another coach. The problem was this third coach’s message was totally at odds with the first two. I’ve had two group sessions with that third coach now, and feel more myself than I ever did before. And I’ve just signed a new client. I don’t doubt the good the first two coaches did for one moment, but sometimes making a decision with our gut (and heart) instead of our head really does work the best.
Thanks for the encouragement, Debs. And thank you for sharing your experience working with coaches. It sounds like you are on the right track!
Christie, I don’t doubt that the track can change down the line, but it does feel good right now, and that’s all we can do.
Amen. Enjoy the journey!