2017: A Year In Review + 3 words for 2018

My 2017 words were - Connect. Consistent. Finish
For the past few years I have chosen 3 words to focus on for the year.

The objective is to pick three words that help guide your choices & intentions for the following year. There are no rules for which words - but 3 is the magic number because it acts as a triangulation and they can stand alone or together.  I first discovered this via Chris Brogan. You can read his 2016 words here. 

The reason I love this practice is to get myself into a frame of mind where I am actively deciding where my put my energy. I look at the vision board above my desk and often remind myself why I chose those words and how they will impact my days. 

Move it or lose it sister!
For 50 weeks of the year I went to F3FIT 3x a week, every week. I was so consistent in fact, that a smart feature in my phone asked me if I had moved there? I built a lot of strength, I improved my mobility considerably and laughed a lot. Training with Robert Petrie has not only been one of the greatest gifts of of 2016/17, but of my life. Apart from that time I had to do 84 burpees, which I hated under my breath and maybe a little out loud too. I remembered my word of the year "finish" every time I felt like I could not keep going. Finish every set - and I did. 
Of course, it was always made even more enjoyable when I could hear Spencer shout "Move it or lose it sister."  And, #deadliftfriday is life! My gratitude for all the people I have met and connected with there is very real. Thank you, James, Marlene, Bri, Virginia, Rick, Trish.. 

There was London
Going back to London with my boys was a great adventure that included castles, museums, Legoland, Hampton Court and the 02. We rode the tube, double deckers and even got on a water taxi. We spent time with family and friends and their children. Although London is no longer home, there is a feeling of home when you are able to re-connect with people you love and we definitely did that. There were only a few times I wondered what Lotus was up to. Fortunately I had her immortalized on my arm in February, so she was there in spirit. 

I became Kamloops Strongest Woman
I competed in a Strongwoman competition in June and was awarded the title of Kamloops Strongest Woman (HW). Thank you to those of you who came to cheer me on, take photos and for the encouragement. My littlest guy has spent every chance he could introducing me as Kamloops Strongest Woman. Even the day before I was debating not taking part, but I felt the fear and did it anyway. When your coach says "You're either going to be there watching or competing"  you know which one it is going to be. 

Tone -ee!
One of the most epic parts of my year was going to see Tony Robbins in Vancouver. Not only was the whole experience incredibly powerful (seriously, when there are that many people vertical jumping and shouting at once it is pretty amazing) and I must have hugged more than 30 strangers. The road trip there and back was like a crash course in connection. I am so grateful I got to have that experience, but most grateful for you, James. The experience was made so much better with you!

Cheese and Rice!
I committed to solidifying my nutritional knowledge by enrolling and completing the Culinary Nutrition Program. I am putting this into practice in 2018. Learning never stops - and I am grateful to keep reaching for knowledge, but know that it this year is a time to step into bigger role of applying all that I've learned. 

Don't forget the shit sandwich
It was not all roses this year. There were many difficult moments where I contemplated my purpose. cried hopelessly in parking lots, doubted myself, worried that I was not good enough - smart enough or loveable enough. I got through those times with patience and support from a few friends. Thank you for loving me when I wasn't able to love myself. Thanks for the hugs, pep talks, and to the few who chose to listen. 

So much gratitude
Really, there have been so many memorable moments. A surprise birthday party. A weekend at Barriere Lake. Multiple trips to Chapters & Costco (always a good time). The last year of Logan Lake Day. A new blog project. Walks with Lotus. Hilarious hashtags. Great books. Meaningful work with people I truly value.  And after much deliberation, I have chosen my next 3 words.. 

2018 - Listen. Galvanize. Time

LISTEN
Not only listen, but truly HEAR people. 
Listen before speaking. 
Listen without judgment or distraction (on my phone).
Listen to what my body is telling me.  
Listen to my heart & the universe.

GALVANIZE
Time to spark into action and make some stuff happen in my life. This includes that weight I've been maintaining. Also what positive impact I can have on other people's lives through my work, directly and indirectly. I am ready to take the mask off and get out there. 

TIME
There is no greater gift than the gift of time. In the past I have been caught in a productivity cycle that meant I had to try and do a 100 things, sometimes at once, and it led to failure. What I learned from that was streamlining my tasks and only doing one thing at a time made me more efficient. Multi tasking is bullshit. With my time this year I'm going to work even more on that 'one thing at a time" approach. One of the greatest time savers was installing the Chrome plugin "Facebook newsfeed eradicator". 

In 2018 I will ask myself if I what I am spending on time is moving me forward or holding me back and my goals are to;
Spend quality time with quality people. 
Volunteer more.
Always make time for myself.
Move more.
Read, write and learn more.

Booyah! And if I could have an anthem to play in the New Year.. 
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