My Theme For 2010: TEAM!
Each year, I choose a one-word theme that acts as a guide in all my major decisions and shapes my entire year.
I start thinking about the theme around the beginning of December and simply set the intention that the essence of the word will come to me strongly and clearly at the right time to serve my highest good and the good of those I serve.
In 2008, my one word theme was FOCUS – which I like to make into an acronym for “Follow One Course Until Successful.” Focus certainly paid off in 2008; it was my most successful year up to that point.
In 2009, my one word theme was INFLUENCE – I would ask myself consciously and subconsciously, “Who and what am I allowing to influence me?“
When I wrote this post on December 29, 2008 about choosing Influence for 2009, little did I know then how much my choice would impact my year both personally and professionally!
2009 far exceeded my business and finance goals with an abundance of national and international speaking engagements, lucrative joint ventures, celebrity clients, meeting Richard Branson and the Dalai Lama, the successful launch of my first social media certification course, Mentor With Mari, the co-creation of the International Social Media Association. all topped off with an invitation to attend the 52nd Grammy Awards and walk the red carpet!
In 2009 in my personal life, I chose to stop traveling the country in a motorhome and transition out of my eight-year marriage, as I shared in this post. I couldn’t have imagined sharing such an intimate experience so publicly before social media. Yet, the process was profound for both me and my community.
Now, as we celebrate the completion of 2009 and dance into 2010, my resounding one-word theme is TEAM! This word came to me as I contemplated where I got stuck most this year – where I didn’t allow myself to grow as much as I wanted.
One of my Achilles heels is delegation. I’m blessed to have several skilled team members and to be surrounded by powerful mentors, mastermind partners, coaches and other skilled experts. Yet I allowed myself to get completely stopped or stymied in several areas (like blog development, membership programs, product creation, book writing!) because my calendar got so backed up and I wanted to do so much myself.
Of course, there’s such a thing as balance, right? Whilst my two blogs may have taken a back seat, my Twitter presence, Facebook fan page, professional network and speaking engagements flourished significantly!
You’ve probably heard of the word “TEAM” used as an acronym for “Together Everyone Achieves More” (or Miracles). I like this. though if you have other creative suggestions, I’m open to ideas! 😉
Now it’s your turn! What’s your theme for 2010?
I think i’m going to go with DEVELOP
I’m graduating from university in June here in the UK. Currently when I take a break from studying I’m developing a Social Media training programme for small businesses in my local area.
Therefore this year I really want to immerse myself more in the social media community and develop both the course and myself into a crucial asset in the Social Media world.
Good to aim I guess?
Thanks for sharing this Mari. This is a new concept for me – the one word theme. I can see it could be very powerful. I’m going to ponder a word for this year for me and my business.
I love the simplicity of the one word (just like the simple one click!), last year’s would have been INNOVATION. This year it will be ACTION! I ended 2009 with a 20 page list of amendments to my web designer- I learned so much last year-
Thanks Mari and team- we are really seeing dividends from communicating with our customers using social media
:-p Martin
Sounds like you are experiencing the growing pains that many businesses go through when a business grows to the point that the very thing that has made it grow and be successful, the hard work of the owner is now the very thing that is holding it back. Thats what can make it hard to let go and delegate sometimes.
This is awesome insight.
I posted a recording of a call I hosted last week with Dave Logan (co-author of Tribal Leadership) that can help you and your readers unlock the key to creating TEAM in your businesses.
Call #1-3 explored how Entrepreneurs can grow their businesses using new techniques of networking, strategy models, and how to structure your teams.
Call #4 addressed the fundamental inner limitations most people have hard wired into their being about creating teams.
Most Entrepreneurs founded their businesses because they want to be “independent” and not have a boss, thus they are at odds to the very nature of TEAM. Or the want to be the boss and tell people what they want done which is an old model of command and control.
Explore the New Model – Download Tribal Entrepreneur (Call #4)
http://www.LivePowerfully.com/calls
TEAM is also my theme for this year Mari. I need to build an awesome outsource team to assist me to take my online marketing consulting business to the next level. I will let you know how I go and will follow your progress with great interest.
What a brilliant idea!! I absolutely love the thought of picking a theme for the year and am busy thinking about what I want my theme to be.
I am just now reading Jack Canfield’s book “The Success Principles” and of course, its so profound! I’ve been looking for a better way to run my business and now that I am clear about what I do know, I am having teachers show up that teach me what I don’t know! This brilliant idea of Theme Word for 2010 will fit right in with the other work I’m doing from Canfield’s book.
Thank you, Mari, for your constant stream of inspiration and positive energy. I am blessed that the universe connected me to your wisdom. 🙂 Namaste.
I have been choosing a new motto for every year for 16 years now. It started with “Soar in ’94”. Last year was, “I connect with the Divine in 2009!” This year, it’s more about my personal life, “I attract emotionally available men in 2010.” I have tended to focus so much on my work life, that this just feels fun for me to change my focus this year.
Mari, this is a great idea! I’m thinking your theme for 2008 best describes mine for 2010. So my theme will be FOCUS – “Follow One Course Until Successful.”
I did a lot of great things as a copywriter in 2009, but I’m really wanting to focus on one main area of specialty these days. Just to simplify things and become the go-to expert, I’ve chosen email marketing since it’s something I love doing, and I’ve been able to help my clients see great returns in this area!
Thanks for theme idea, Mari!
I love your keyword Mari as it is where you are at and something that I will be focusing on also in 2010. But my keyword for 2010 is GROW!. My focus this year is on growing professionally, personally and spiritually and helping others to grow with me. Social media allows me to fulfil this goal easily and I am really excited to see my business grow while helping others to grow theirs in 2010.
To our success.
Cheers
Pam