My One Word for 2013: Strength

I have loved the idea of #oneword365 for some time, but have been on the sidelines of really committing for the past year or so. Goal setting is important to me, but often my diligence and wanting to do it perfectly the first time gets in the way of execution. 2012 involved a lot of reflection on how I want to be me, not having to make sure everything was immaculate in all circumstances prior to execution, and letting go of fixating on the outcome and enjoying the process a little more. Nothing will help you do these things quite like a job search. After leaving four years of my first entry-level, full-time position at an institution I loved to pursue new opportunities and challenges, I am getting what I was looking for. I am challenged, daily, in a variety of ways. And what I have been calling upon and seeking to work through those challenges is strength.

As I looked at strength and took some of Becca Obergefell’s advice through Google searches and Pinterest boards, I reflected on the classic Merriam-Webster definition. What spoke to me deeply was this:

Vigorously forward : from one high point to the next

Vigorously forward. That phrase resonated with me and kept coming back into my mind. Strength embodies that type of resilience; a real ability to hit adversity and move on, over, or through. I see pursuing strength in 2013 in three parts of my life:

1. Performance: I see pursuing strength in my work performance specifically. This is what I bring each day that allows me to deliver my unique skills and abilities in a manner that maximizes what I have to offer. It also means drawing out strong performance from others. I see growing in this area through reading, putting concepts into practice, reflecting on these practices, and pursuing training and education that allows me to deliver powerful performance daily.
2. Spiritual: To me, this is about feeling centered, grounded, and interconnected. Spiritual strength is essential to my mental and emotional wellness. I intend to grow in this area through regular yoga practice, use of journaling, and connecting with others in community to maintain focus on what is most important in life.
3. Physical: Regular workouts are incredibly helpful for my sanity and well-being. I currently plan to run my first marathon with my friend Jess in October 2013. This will be an incredible source of understanding my own strength and the determination, stamina, and commitment needed to discover elements of who I am and what I am physically capable of doing. 

Through all three of these methods of exploring and finding strength, what I am looking to experience is my own power. Power is often viewed as a dirty word, something to resist attaining, something that is at odds with being well-liked, in particular among women. I resist it. I look at it and think “power isn’t for me”, that somehow parts of me will be diminished or lost in its action. Which simply is not true. Power is what allows us to get through difficult circumstances, power is the propeller of growth, and power is what we exude when our greatest strengths shine when we apply ourselves. So the more I come to understand power as an extension of strength, of my best self, the less I resist it. It is my hope by the end of 2013 that I come to experience power as the outcome of my pursuit of strength and move from not resisting the idea to having many powerful experiences this year.

What is your #oneword2013?