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goals_on_dw2025-05-13 12:42 am
ysabetwordsmith) wrote in goals_on_dw2025-05-13 12:42 am
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Three Weeks for Dreamwidth: Theme Word
This year during Three Weeks for Dreamwidth, I'm writing about goal-setting frameworks for goals_on_dw. Read Part 1: Introduction to Goal-Setting Frameworks, Part 2: The 1-3-5 Rule, Part 3: The 12-week Year, Part 4: ABCS (Achievable, Believable, Committed, Specific), Part 5: Backward Goal, Part 6: BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), Part 7: BSQ (Think Big, Act Small, Move Quick), Part 8: CLEAR (Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, Refinable), Part 9: Goal Pyramid, Part 10: Golden Circle, Part 11: GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward), Part 12: HARD (Heartfelt, Animated, Required, Difficult), Part 13: KPI (Key Performance Indicators), Part 14: MASTER (Measurable, Achievable, Specific, Transforming, Evolving, Relevant), Part 15: NCT (Narratives, Commitments, and Tasks), Part 16: OKR (Objectives, Key Results), Part 17: PACT (Purposeful, Aligned, Continuous, Tracked), Part 18: Tiered Goals, Part 19: Theme Word.
Part 19: Theme Word
A Theme Word involves selecting a key word (like "Hope") or phrase (like "Take Time") to guide your plans and choices. It can be permanent or temporary. Many people like to choose a theme word for each year, as part of or instead of New Year's resolutions.
There are many ways to choose a theme word. You might look at your past accomplishments for things you want to do more of, and consider what would inspire you to do that. Conversely, you could think about what you would like to change, and what would give you a new direction. Try to imagine your ideal future and sum it up with a word or phrase. If you can't think of ideas on your own, you could look at a list and see if anything grabs you. Often it helps to brainstorm a bunch of possibilities and then narrow it down.
Here are some questions that may help:
* What are some words that people use to describe you?
* What are some of your favorite book or song titles?
* Do you prefer a theme that is more inspirational or more actionable?
* Do you prefer a theme that is more focused or more expansive?
* Which ideas seem to provide direction and guidance?
* Which words resonate with your more?
Once you have chosen your Theme Word, think about ways you can incorporate it into your everyday life. It's not something to think up, check off, and then forget about. You want to keep using it as a touchstone. Whenever you have a decision or opportunity, ask if it matches your Theme Word. There are lots of options to keep it in mind.
* Decorate the outside or inside cover of your planner or calendar with it.
* Make a piece of wall art featuring your Theme Word.
* Put it on a T-shirt with fabric paint, transfer paper, or have it custom made.
* Make a screensaver with it.
* Find or make a piece of jewelry with it, perhaps with alphabet beads.
* Set it as an intention for meditation, or use it as a mantra.
goals_on_dw. Read Part 1: Introduction to Goal-Setting Frameworks, Part 2: The 1-3-5 Rule, Part 3: The 12-week Year, Part 4: ABCS (Achievable, Believable, Committed, Specific), Part 5: Backward Goal, Part 6: BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), Part 7: BSQ (Think Big, Act Small, Move Quick), Part 8: CLEAR (Collaborative, Limited, Emotional, Appreciable, Refinable), Part 9: Goal Pyramid, Part 10: Golden Circle, Part 11: GROW (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward), Part 12: HARD (Heartfelt, Animated, Required, Difficult), Part 13: KPI (Key Performance Indicators), Part 14: MASTER (Measurable, Achievable, Specific, Transforming, Evolving, Relevant), Part 15: NCT (Narratives, Commitments, and Tasks), Part 16: OKR (Objectives, Key Results), Part 17: PACT (Purposeful, Aligned, Continuous, Tracked), Part 18: Tiered Goals, Part 19: Theme Word.Part 19: Theme Word
A Theme Word involves selecting a key word (like "Hope") or phrase (like "Take Time") to guide your plans and choices. It can be permanent or temporary. Many people like to choose a theme word for each year, as part of or instead of New Year's resolutions.
There are many ways to choose a theme word. You might look at your past accomplishments for things you want to do more of, and consider what would inspire you to do that. Conversely, you could think about what you would like to change, and what would give you a new direction. Try to imagine your ideal future and sum it up with a word or phrase. If you can't think of ideas on your own, you could look at a list and see if anything grabs you. Often it helps to brainstorm a bunch of possibilities and then narrow it down.
Here are some questions that may help:
* What are some words that people use to describe you?
* What are some of your favorite book or song titles?
* Do you prefer a theme that is more inspirational or more actionable?
* Do you prefer a theme that is more focused or more expansive?
* Which ideas seem to provide direction and guidance?
* Which words resonate with your more?
Once you have chosen your Theme Word, think about ways you can incorporate it into your everyday life. It's not something to think up, check off, and then forget about. You want to keep using it as a touchstone. Whenever you have a decision or opportunity, ask if it matches your Theme Word. There are lots of options to keep it in mind.
* Decorate the outside or inside cover of your planner or calendar with it.
* Make a piece of wall art featuring your Theme Word.
* Put it on a T-shirt with fabric paint, transfer paper, or have it custom made.
* Make a screensaver with it.
* Find or make a piece of jewelry with it, perhaps with alphabet beads.
* Set it as an intention for meditation, or use it as a mantra.
no subject
It occurred to me as I said this that I use the secular/common/Gregorian calendar for this but there's no reason I shouldn't choose a new theme on Rosh Hashanah, or perhaps something specific to my religious practice, or even every month…?
Thoughts
Go you!
>> It occurred to me as I said this that I use the secular/common/Gregorian calendar for this but there's no reason I shouldn't choose a new theme on Rosh Hashanah, or perhaps something specific to my religious practice, <<
If your religion has a set of virtues or other values, that would make a good match. Tikkun olam would work great.
>> or even every month…? <<
A virtue of the month works well, but you could also choose a personal aspiration or whatever.