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Determined

January 5, 2016 By Emily 47 Comments

Last year, I chose a word for the year.

Steady.

That word served me well. So well, in fact, that I’m keeping it. I’ll continue on my steady way in 2016.

But this year, I’m combining it with another word.

Determined.

Image source

Image source (used with permission)

Determined. Last year I was steady. I worked hard, and I have a lot to show for it.

This year, I’m determined to make it pay off.

I will show determination in:

  • setting my goals (far enough to stretch; not so far I won’t bother trying)
  • achieving those goals
  • sticking to my priorities (and reprioritising when necessary)
  • saying YES to what inspires
  • saying NO to what doesn’t.

That all sounds very work-oriented. But it’s not. For me, part of being determined is actually being determined to enjoy life. It sounds like an oxymoron – shouldn’t enjoying life be something that just happens, rather than something you’re determined to do? – but it needn’t be. I am determined to live my life for me and my family.

MY life for ME and MY family. Not someone else’s life. Not someone else’s comparison. No filling my life with stuff for the sake of filling it with stuff; no being busy for the sake of being busy; no doing things I’m not interested in just so I can talk about it and feel important later.

And no saying YES to doing things for others because they make me feel uncomfortable about saying NO.

I am determined.

I like the other meanings of determine as well. I will not always accept things at face value; I will determine the truth. I will not accept facts and figures thrown at me on the internet; I will determine their source.

I will give my time and self to worthwhile causes, but will determine boundaries. I will limit what I commit to so that my family always gets my best self.

I am determined to prioritise my health, my family, my writing and my sanity. And not always in that order.

I am determined to have a successful 2016. And I will go about it steadily.

Determined. I like it.

Determined to the power of steady. I like it even more.

2016, let’s get cracking.

 

What is your word for 2016?

Filed Under: Reflection Tagged With: determined, goals, words

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Comments

  1. Amy @ HandbagMafia says

    January 5, 2016 at 7:04 am

    Nice choice! I agree that enjoying life can be a choice because you choose to let go of unimportant mental clutter to make room for the better stuff. Happy new year!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:45 pm

      YES. Very well said. Happy new year to you, too!

      Reply
  2. Hugzilla says

    January 5, 2016 at 7:05 am

    I love this word. I love how firm and unwavering it is and it’s something I think we could all use more of because we can be way too quick to let our sense of guilt or obligation to others move us from our rightful course. Best of liuck with your commitment to this year x (and PS I HATE that busy for the sake of busyness nonsense. Urgh)

    Reply
    • Hugzilla says

      January 5, 2016 at 7:07 am

      OH GREAT. I make a typo in my first comment of the year on your blog. Can I blame my new migraine glasses? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        January 5, 2016 at 1:46 pm

        YES. Yes you can. And thank you. I am over busy being seen as aspirational. It’s just busy.

        Reply
  3. Natalie @ Our Parallel Connection says

    January 5, 2016 at 7:10 am

    I can feel that determination Em. My motto for this year is Believe in Yourself and I will continue to remind myself until I finally believe with every inch of my body.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:46 pm

      That’s beautiful. Chookas with that one. I remember your comment about slowing down and finding the balance. I hope you do. x

      Reply
  4. Renee Wilson says

    January 5, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Ooh I like it, Em. I don’t choose one word for the year because I can never settle on one. I like to read everyone else’s and pinch ideas from theirs. I think determined is a great word. I especially like your thoughts on saying yes to what inspires and no to what doesn’t. I’m definitely aiming for that this year. I hope 2016 is an amazing year for you xx #teamIBOT

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:47 pm

      It is hard to choose just one! That’s why I’m keeping ‘steady’. I think it doesn’t count if I’ve already had it. I can totally add to it, right?!

      Reply
  5. Min@WriteoftheMiddle says

    January 5, 2016 at 7:42 am

    Steady and determined are great words Em. I like how you’ve identified what you’ll say YES to and what you’ll say NO to. I didn’t choose a word this year. Last year choosing a word didn’t work for me. I’m trying a different approach this year. Happy New Year to you! xo

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:48 pm

      Thanks Min! I find it hard to say no so we’ll see how I go. I’m feeling very strong as I sit here at the keyboard, though!

      Reply
  6. Denyse says

    January 5, 2016 at 8:28 am

    YES! Love your word and the meaning behind it for you. Go, Emily! I chose ‘trust’ and ‘FEARless’ this year because I need to both trust that life will have a way of working out for me (and hub) in a time of much unknownness (look, a new word) and I need to fear much less as fear played a part in a not so wonderful 2015. Love your work..and take care, lady! You are one awesome blogger/writer/creative person I admire! Denyse xx

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:48 pm

      Thank you Denyse. What a lovely comment. You have put a smile on my dial and a spring in my step. x

      Reply
  7. Mumma McD says

    January 5, 2016 at 8:53 am

    I can hear that steely eyed determination in your words! Perfect choice. Happy 2016!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Happy 2016 to you too! I am VERY determined. Right now. At my keyboard. Now to maintain that determination …

      Reply
  8. Nicole @ The Builder's Wife says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:11 am

    I love your choice of word, though I love even more the combination of the words. Steady and determined what a strong combination that will be 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:49 pm

      Thank you! As soon as I put the two words together, I knew I’d found the right one.

      Reply
  9. Lyndall @ Seize The Day Project says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:38 am

    I love it Em! You’ve inspired.. I’ve adopted the word EXPLORE for myself this year. I’ll be exploring new places, new opportunities and new friends. Cheers to a fabulous 2016! 🙂

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:50 pm

      Ooh, I like explore! So many applications. Bring it on!

      Reply
  10. Robyna | The Mummy & The Minx says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Love this as a choice of word – a nice steady path is definitely something I am going for as well.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      Oh good! We can buddy up. Good luck on your steady path.

      Reply
  11. Haidee@Maybe Baby Brothers says

    January 5, 2016 at 10:57 am

    Very nice, good luck! My word is CHANGE. I need to make some changes in my life and step outside my comfort zone.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:53 pm

      Good luck with change! It can be daunting but so worthwhile.

      Reply
  12. Caitlin says

    January 5, 2016 at 11:02 am

    Determined. Fantastic word. All the best with fulfilling your goals, but with a word like that to accompany you along the way, how could you not?

    I’ve been thinking my word for the year is “Recovery”, I feel like after four years of survival with triplets this is the year we can recover from all the craziness of that time and find our stride while also enjoying the time to bask in the extra beauty and fun they have also brought to our family.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 5, 2016 at 1:55 pm

      Thank you. And wow. Recovery seems apt! I hope you find your stride.

      Reply
  13. EssentiallyJess says

    January 5, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    I was thinking too the other day about being determined to not just agree with everything that pops up on social media. To actually think things through, and find the truth. I think it’s something that we can easily not place enough value on.
    Love your word Em, and looking forward to seeing your determination in action.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:09 pm

      Thanks Jess! Fingers crossed that determination leads to goal-kicking.

      Reply
  14. Rebecca Bowyer says

    January 5, 2016 at 4:44 pm

    Determined and steady, I love it. I’m pretty happy with the course I chartered late last year. I’ve achieved some pretty significant goals and this year I intend to simply continue with them and enjoy!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:11 pm

      Sounds fabulous! Enjoying watching you achieve all those goals. x

      Reply
  15. Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says

    January 5, 2016 at 7:59 pm

    I love the word for the year and how you are going to apply it to your life. I think enjoying life the way you want is definitely a choice. We get so caught up sometimes in how things should be — either because we compare ourselves to others or because the media tells us things — that we forget to enjoy it the way we want to.
    Hope you have a wonderful 2016!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:12 pm

      Very true – thanks for adding to my perspective. Comparison is absolutely a big distractor from happiness and contentment.

      Reply
  16. Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says

    January 5, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    Great word and love how you are combining it with steady. Mine is present as in be more – get rid of the busyness!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      Ooh, I LOVE your word! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  17. Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says

    January 6, 2016 at 12:11 am

    Loving that fierce determination, Em!
    Happy 2016 x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:13 pm

      Thank you Lisa. Happy 2016 to you too.

      Reply
  18. Raychael aka Mystery Case says

    January 6, 2016 at 1:06 pm

    Love your word for the year and your approach to life. I generally pick a theme song for the year but last year opted for one word *enough*. I even found a temporary tattoo. This year it is BE and all will be revealed soon.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:14 pm

      CANNOT WAIT to hear more about BE. Very excited for you. And I like the idea of a theme song, too.

      Reply
  19. Janet aka Middle Aged Mama says

    January 6, 2016 at 4:41 pm

    Ha determined! That’s my middle name 😉 . Not really although Dawn does start with a D … I haven’t decided on a word for this year yet. But then I only chose my word for last year “change” when I wrote my end of year wrap up blog post. You can’t rush these things!!!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:17 pm

      Hindsight words are important. I quite like that approach! I’ll have to reflect on ‘determined’ in December.

      Reply
  20. Jodi Gibson says

    January 8, 2016 at 7:58 am

    Love, love, love this Em. Here’s to 2016 being awesome for you. x

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you Jodi! And may it be awesome for you, too!

      Reply
  21. Lisa says

    January 8, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    What a terrific word Em. Hope 2016 is a fantastic one for you.

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 10, 2016 at 9:19 pm

      Thank you, Lisa. You too.

      Reply
  22. Lydia C. Lee says

    January 11, 2016 at 8:42 am

    Good for you – sounds like you’ll move mountains this year!

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 13, 2016 at 7:08 pm

      Or be embarrassed if I don’t! Thank you. x

      Reply
  23. Michelle - Jarrah Jungle says

    January 13, 2016 at 4:43 pm

    Determined is a great word, very strong, I’m sure you can do it!
    My word this year is “Change”

    Reply
    • Emily says

      January 13, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      Thanks Michelle! Change can be good, if it’s proactive. Will seek out your post!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Emily

I parent. I write. I blog. I play with words and numbers in my head. Constantly. It's crowded in there.

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