2014 Super-Simplified

One of my most popular blog posts in the past year was 2013 Super-Simplified. Popular enough to do it again: Let's super-simplify 2014!



If you know this from a year ago, use this deeper dive to go further. You can never get too simple! If this is your first-pass, here are the details you need…







2014 in just three words. That's it.





Of course, if it's going to be meaningful and useful, getting an entire year down to just three words takes pre-work — a lot of deep thinking...

• How much of a change should 2014 be for me from 2013?

• What is most important to me at work?

• What is most important to me in my life?

• What new skills do I need to develop?

• How will I allow for serendipity and unexpected surprises?

• What will make the biggest impact?

• How will I grow or deepen my network?

Answer questions like these and what emerges is an entire year fully focused, with hyper-clarity.




If that's not easy for you, I'd suggest going here or here or here or here — four sources with lots of aspirational words to get you started.




Once you've selected your three words, that's your super-simplified definition of success for 2014. 




For example, mine for 2014 are Grow. Serenity. Nickels. ...Grow for personal development — learn something new every day, follow my dreams, and more. Serenity as in the Serenity Prayer. (I'm pretty good at having the courage to change things I can… I still kinda suck at accepting the things that I cannot change!) Nickels as in "raining nickels," as in earning more while I sleep — more products and services that do not require me to be present in real-time (Freeing me to be present for more Grow time).
Three Steps to Lock In a Super-Simple 2014 


1. Accountability Reminder: Go to OhLife and email yourself your three-word goal, and any supporting notes you think you'll need, for delivery at specified time(s) in the future — say... 90 days into the year or half-way into the year.

2. Beer and Pizza Planning (food and drink of your choice): Over a meal with a few close friends, family and/or co-workers, share your intent to live 2014 by these three words. Ask for their help in brainstorming ways to make it happen.

3. Start Simply: January, 2014: Don't try to boil the ocean — start small. But start! Don't think about it more. Just do! Pick one or more of the three words and spend January working it. You'll be amazed at what happens!


This is a great and super-simple way to keep yourself focused on what truly matters in 2014!



(Based upon an idea by Chris Brogan)