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Next week, I’ve got a couple of confessions coming at you — including one about choosing my word for the year. But before we get there, I want to tell you about the word I chose for 2019, what I thought it would mean, and how it actually played out.

If you’re not familiar with this whole “choose a word for the year” idea, it’s pretty straightforward. You choose a word or a short phrase that sets your intention or theme for the year, for the way you want your year to flow. 

I’m not sure who first came up with the idea, but if you hang out in any online business forums, you’ll see people talking about their words. 

For 2019, I chose the word “optimize.”

Last week, I talked about the things I’ve learned over the past four years while building and running my business, and I mentioned that 2018 was a year of accomplishment. I’d worked really hard, hit some big goals, and built something I was — I am — really proud of. 

So coming in to 2019, “optimize” was on my mind. In my head, I thought I’d be refining and optimizing my business and my life:

• I’d review my business systems and streamline them to get the most impact for every minute of work
• I’d completely overhaul the entire Free Mama 12-Week Program
• I’d roll out new offerings to meet the growing needs of my community

And at the same time, I’d spend more quality time with my kids and husband and figure out how to finally master meal prep.

Back in January, when I thought about my plans for the year, I pictured a classic growth chart — that sweet line going up and to the right. 

Now, maybe you’ve seen this meme floating around the Interwebs. 

Turns out, it’s completely accurate. 

When I stand here in December and look back at 2019, everything in my business and my life is better than it was back in January. Growth has happened. Systems have been optimized. But the journey was anything but straightforward. 

So many times this year, I found myself wanting to crawl into bed and hide under my pillows. So many times, I found myself completely overwhelmed and stuck in the down part of that chart. I was charging down paths in the wrong direction, confused and lost and struggling. Not quite how I envisioned things. 

It turns out that “optimize” doesn’t just mean “make more money” or “do new things.”

Sometimes it means, “pause” or “stop doing this” or “don’t do that.”

And when I started to hear that message and to internalize it, I found my way back. I feel clear, more confident, more in alignment, and more intentional. 

Because that’s what it means to optimize. To really think about what we’re doing, and to truly make it better — which sometimes means stopping, removing, and changing direction. 

So as we dive into December, I encourage you to think about the word you want to adopt for the year — one that sets your intentions and gives you a focal point. We’ve got a thread going in the Free Mama Facebook Group if you want to share your thoughts. 

And next week, I’ll be back with my confessions list — so don’t miss it!

P.S. This week I joined my friend Imee from Biggity Bomb Mom and a group of AMAZING women with successful online businesses to help you gear up for 2020. If you’re serious about growing your business, register NOW for this FREE summit. Imee has experts coming in to share their BEST tips on balancing work and family, shifting your mindset for growth and abundance, finding you ideal clients online, and MORE. See you there!