Hi everyone! As you saw in my post from last week, I’m currently working on setting a tone for 2017. Last year’s goals all got crushed after my injury flared up again, so this year I focused on making an awesome bucket list instead. My final step in setting the tone for 2017 is to choose one word to live by this year. I started doing this last year and I really love the idea of picking one word that I’ll use as guidance and motivation for the year. Last year my word was “confidence”, and I’m taking it one step further this year. Here is my word for 2017:
I’ve done some pretty brave things in my life, but lately I’ve been letting anxiety hold me back from really standing up for my beliefs, who I am, and what I want to be. I’ve doubted my ability to get back to running, to hike the hardest trails, and to try the things that are on my bucket list. Public speaking terrifies me (which is hilarious because I’m a teacher and can talk to groups of teens all day!) and being in charge of things stresses me out. I’m kind of a mess. So this year, I’m going to focus on courage. The dictionary says that courage is the “the confidence to act in accordance to one’s beliefs” and “to nerve oneself to perform an action”. But I like this definition too:
I need a good dose of courage in my personal life, my workout plans, my running ability, and also in my career. But when this word initially popped into my head, it just made me feel exhausted. I mean, some people choose words like “joy” and “relax”, and I’m over here picking a word that sounds like a lot of work. But I know it’s what I need this year. I can’t let my anxiety and fear hold me back anymore. I’m ready to step up, speak out, and live the life I want for myself. Maybe I’ll pick “relax” next year?
Do you have a word for 2017? If you could pick one year that you want to guide you this year, what would it be?
Mom in the Mtns 
I love your choice of word for 2017. I too need to be better about pushing my boundaries and taking risks. Its very easy to get stuck into the the monotony of the same routine.
It totally is! I need to try to mix it up and push myself to not be afraid to try new things.
Courage is hard. I definitely let fear hold me back — a lot. But I’ve taken a few courageous leaps, here and there. Courage is a good one!
Thanks! I think a lot of us let fear hold us back and I’m sick of letting it happen to me.
Nice one! If only we all had more courage during difficult times.
That’s exactly what finalized my decision. If there’s ever a year for courage, this is it.
You picked up and moved to Alaska! That takes so much courage! You’ve totally got this. 🙂
Haha that was scary but also exciting. I need courage to get through the just plain scary stuff!
I love this idea. I think I’ve struggled with happiness the most the past few years so I’m going to go with happy. 😊 I also have a fear of public speaking and am also in love with teaching college students. I still sweat whenever I teach new material. LOL Good luck on being courageous this year and beyond.
I love your word idea! And oh man, I’m nervous before almost every lesson I teach and I’ve been doing this for two and a half years now. It’s so annoying I have the worst anxiety on earth and I think it’s ridiculous that I ended up doing something that stresses me out! I guess that’s courage right there because I really do love my job 🙂
I’m sure your students appreciate it too! 😀
I love this word!
One of my favourite authors about the topic of courage is Brene Brown. Her ideas really helped to change my life for the better.
Ooooh my friend said this too! Which book of hers would you recommend I read first?
I love the idea of courage as your word for the year!
Thanks!