WHAT IS MINE AND WHY YOU NEED ONE TOO
So for the last 2 years, 2016 and 2017 – I have had a theme for the year. Rather than a SMART Goal, this is more like a contextual theme or a beacon of overall feel. I find it helps balance out the often conflicting areas of deep focus and grabbing of opportunities that arise. Hat tip to Dr Jason Fox (more about that later).
Here I will talk about my theme for 2017 and and how I need your help to keep it front of mind. Also, I can see you are tots jealous, so I will also go through how you can get one all for yourself, or just give you the link to Jason Fox explaining it, whichever feel right at the time.
First, all about me….
My contextual theme or beacon for 2017 is….
Stormchaser
Stormchaser is about embracing a storm as it is happening and riding that energy for as long as its lasts, as well as not lamenting a missed storm.
Let me give a little more context.
All my life I have had many passions, projects, books, ideas all moving along at the same time. Recently, through Emilie Wapnick and her Ted talk (http://puttylike.com) I realised I am not alone, as a result I proudly admit I am a multipotentialite, poly math – whatever you want to call it. Here is a handy definition from Emilie’s website – A multipotentialite is a person who has many different interests and creative pursuits in life. Multipotentialites have no “one true calling” the way specialists do.
Let me give you some examples of how being a multipotentialite manifests in my life. Over the last few days I have spent time cutting out new sewing projects. These new sewing projects includes 2 jackets, a dress and a pair of pants. I will add this to my existing sewing projects – 2 suits (jacket and skirt), a top, a jacket, a skirt, piano cover made out of Pop’s old award ribbons, and a brooch holder made out of more of Pop’s ribbons. I have to have multiple sewing projects going at the one time, otherwise I get bored. My mum finds it confounding, if I spent the same time sewing just one project, rather than multiples, the object of the sewing would be complete – BORING!
Add to that, I am also reading 5 books at the moment, not unusual, even as a kid I would read a chapter each of 5 books before I went to sleep. I also have around 7 different businesses in various shapes, forms and stages of maturity. Plus an ideas book with tonnes of others, from a 5 star Bed and Breakfast with a central garden to freelance paraplanners (people who create the financial plan so its compliant for financial planners) to jewellery designs.
Even my day job lends itself to multipotentialite behaviours. I have worked in projects through my whole career. I have only worked in an operational role for 2 years, of which I run those 2 years, as a project each year.
So I decided this year to not go against my nature and try and focus on just one thing and one thing only, but to embrace – no celebrate – the craziness that can come with such a life. By the end of the year I will know if this is a good or bad thing, or maybe this is my nature and nothing I can do will change it, so I will have to work out how to get the best out of my natural tendencies.
So how can you help?
I need you to remind me, of when I am not being a stormchaser, when I am not fully embracing this experience in this year. You have my permission to stop me, and ask why I am not being true to the principles of the storm chaser, and help me get on back to the craziness. These principles are the following:
- Ride the energy of the storm
- Storms pass and that is OK
- A storm is a storm
So, keep me chasing those storms this year and can check in to see how I am going.
Want a contextual theme all for yourself?
I would suggest going straight to this site (http://www.drjasonfox.com) and consuming everything that is there, subscribe to the muse letter and purchase everything he creates, he is SOOOO smart and also a bit hilarious.
Then, try and create a word that is inspiring for you, but instantly understandable for everyone else. It should not require an explanation as to what it means. The only explanation will be around how that might apply in your context, this is where the principles can come in handy.
Here are Jason’s quick tips about chosen a word wisely:
1. You’re not just choosing a word. You’re choosing a bundle of attributes, principles, and behaviours to aspire to.
2. Resist choosing your first word. It’s probably boring or common. Explore the words near to the first word that comes to you. They’re probably much more memorable and compelling.
3. Give people your word. Make sure your word will serve you in your social ecology. Choose a word your friends and colleagues will actually use and hold you to.
Plus a video by the man to help you along the way
You have a word, but it is bit dull – fancy it up by trying to relate it to one of the following:
Animal
Active
Archetype
Aspects
Abstract
Is there an archetype that it applies here?, e.g. pioneer (my word for 2016), pirate, or maybe a Bengal tiger. Think of something that works for you and is inspiring and memorable.
Tips for young players
I find that if I add an image that relates to my theme it works a charm.
Here is the image that I have chosen for Stormchaser 2017 – in the blog post.
It needed to show the beauty of a storm, with the clouds breaking, without the destruction that it can create – so exactly the type of storm that is a magical to watch.
Welcome 2017, looking forward to seeing what you have to offer! Also looking forward to hearing about your contextual themes.
Take care
CMM
