These are great, Chris. I especially like "idea handles" (in loops) and considering which crops to cultivate (in farm). I also think that I could spend more time closing loops that I start since, like yourself, I seem good at getting things off the ground, but less good at keeping them in the air over sustained periods of time. ;)
And, did you miss the #themeword mini-meme? Check it out:
Thanks for the post. Actually comments you made about it before prompted me to do the same. Although I have created a word a month theme to focus on what I really want and need to work on for that month.
Love the concept of "farm". Think we can all use it in our lives and relationships.
I wish you an amazing 2008!
Bill Frederick
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the great idea Chris. I like your concept of coming up with a 'personal framework' to help execute actions. Mind if I 'steal' one of yours? Loops ... I also have an aptitude for starting things and not following through on them.
I never heard of the 'Law of the Farm' before. It sounds a lot like Jim Rohn's 'Seasons of Life' though ... plant in the spring, nurture in the summer, harvest in the fall, plan during the winter.
My other two words are create and share.
Erica Ross-Krieger
· 1 year ago
I absolutely love your thinking here...not just about the idea of choosing 3 words, but that you shared YOUR 3 words, which are fabulous.
"Cultivate" is one of mine this year - cultivate relationships, grow my current "business crops", etc. Not unlike your "Farm" idea. I'd like to borrow the "Believe" word if that's okay...I have been using "Act as if" for my own reminder of operating as if things I want were already in place, but the simplicity of the one word "Believe" is great.
The section on Applying the words is helpful too, so this becomes grounded in practicality not just an idea. Thanks.
But I am left wondering, Chris, what you would write in a section or follow-up post called "HOW to Discover your OWN 3 words"? ":)
Oza Meilleur
· 1 year ago
Bonjour Chris!
This plan of yours really resonates with me...I'm a great fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
And being a very visual person, the 3-word plan is precise, to the point, and much easier to focus on than big long paragraphs.
So I'm taking your idea and applying it to what TaggZilla had suggested, which is deciding on 3 priorities for 2008, then 3 priorities for the current month, and 3 priorities for the day.
I've brought everything down to 3 priorities for the year...and then squeezed the juice out of them to come up with only 3 words, which are:
1. Moment (to always be in it)
2. Fun (to always have it)
3. Action (to always take it)
I didn't go into the details for each, but the important thing is "I" understand what they mean to me. As you said, each person will come up with their own set of words.
Thanks for sharpening my focus.
Big hugs and lots of LOVE...plus a Happy New Magical Year to you, Mudd a.k.a. Oza xoxo
Cat Laine
· 1 year ago
V cool idea. I have heard of companies doing this. There was article in Fast Company(?) about how Southwest's actions all revolve around it's position of being the "Low-cost airline". Yeah, yeah yeah, we can do this but will it keep up the low-cost airline.
My 3 words are home, boldness, and focus. The main one is home and the other are satellites.
Jeff Borden
· 1 year ago
Fantastic! Well done Chris. I really like "Farm". "Am I spending too much time in fields that don’t yield good return?" You hit the nail on the head. If people can do this effectively, you are on your way to success in a huge way. Its a major step and often a hard one. Success always to you!
Best, Jeff
TimWalker
· 1 year ago
Excellent stuff, Chris. My favorite snippet: "Life progresses naturally, not at the pace I want." Precisely -- I have to remind myself to work WITH it, not (futilely) try to circumvent it.
My own single word for 2008 = "decide". Because we do make decisions all the time, but we don't always admit/embrace the fact that we ARE making decisions. I'm keeping myself conscious of that one word so I'll remember to be more conscientious about making decisions actively, rather than by default.
All the best for 2008!
communicatrix
· 1 year ago
I love whatever system people wind up hacking for themselves to help move towards goals (or to help move, period--change is hard!)
I've been using a more complex system for a few years (Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler) b/c I love the process she takes you though, all backwards and forwards, to scoop up learning of the months past and use it to suss out where I really _want_ to spend my time/focus in the months forward.
But one element is simple and elegant, and similar to your 3-words concept: the new paradigm. As part of the ferreting process, I come up with the ONE THING I BELIEVE, which, if I could change that belief, would have the most impact on my life.
This year's paradigm is "Help Is Everywhere." Because it is, for one, and it's high time I opened my eyes and heart to it. Because nothing happens (or nothing worthwhile) without some help: from friends, from strangers, from the universe.
And of course, part of the reason I was able to arrive at this new paradigm is b/c of the help I've gotten from you, Chris--both specifically crafted for me and the incidentally-meant-for kind.
So thank you. And if you need any help...
communicatrix
· 1 year ago
Oh--and I just learned about "unpack" from Grant McCracken:
and I LOVE that term. The BF and I have been using it all morning.
Mark Dykeman
· 1 year ago
Handy way to drill those three key concepts, Chris.
I'm kind of interested in "farming", myself, particularly when it comes to the creative process and idea generation.
I've not been really diligent about goal setting or "framing" my actions other than trying to follow some principles and common sense. The past few years have shown me that I might need to change my ways.
I look forward to seeing how your three-word mantra works for you in 2008!
courtney benson
· 1 year ago
Chris -
Excellent idea! I would add Stillness. Humans are moving so fast that they hardly take time to be. The focus on technology and our dependence on it, takes us away from ourselves (innerselves). It is important to take a break from all our actions each day and be still with no thought about actions.
Kelly
· 1 year ago
Chris,
I read your three words last year and thought they were perfect. This year's are great, too.
My personal inspiration for the last year or two is a short phrase: "It's on its way." I saw Wayne Dyer talk about the phrase on PBS: he suggested defining the "it" for yourself, and then working toward making the phrase happen rather than sitting back and expecting "it" to come to you. Good idea, and a very uplifting mantra if you mean "I'm making it be on its way" when you say it.
We love this post! We talked about this in a recent Bigg Success show. It's important to determine what's most important to you and why. Then, visualize it and internalize it. Make sure it's the first and last thing you think about every day. Get it into your subconscience. Remind yourself with a written statement, or a sticky note on your laptop. Here's to 2008 and living the life you want!
john blue
· 1 year ago
Our new son (3 months old now!) came into the world with his three guiding words: * Eat * Sleep * Poop
These words form his entire operating framework and extends his abilities to influence to the rest of the family ;-)
All Comments
And, did you miss the #themeword mini-meme? Check it out:
http://factoryjoe.com/blog/2008/01/02/kicking-o...
Love the concept of "farm". Think we can all use it in our lives and relationships.
I wish you an amazing 2008!
I never heard of the 'Law of the Farm' before. It sounds a lot like Jim Rohn's 'Seasons of Life' though ... plant in the spring, nurture in the summer, harvest in the fall, plan during the winter.
My other two words are create and share.
"Cultivate" is one of mine this year - cultivate relationships, grow my current "business crops", etc. Not unlike your "Farm" idea. I'd like to borrow the "Believe" word if that's okay...I have been using "Act as if" for my own reminder of operating as if things I want were already in place, but the simplicity of the one word "Believe" is great.
The section on Applying the words is helpful too, so this becomes grounded in practicality not just an idea. Thanks.
But I am left wondering, Chris, what you would write in a section or follow-up post called "HOW to Discover your OWN 3 words"? ":)
This plan of yours really resonates with me...I'm a great fan of KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).
And being a very visual person, the 3-word plan is precise, to the point, and much easier to focus on than big long paragraphs.
So I'm taking your idea and applying it to what TaggZilla had suggested, which is deciding on 3 priorities for 2008, then 3 priorities for the current month, and 3 priorities for the day.
I've brought everything down to 3 priorities for the year...and then squeezed the juice out of them to come up with only 3 words, which are:
1. Moment (to always be in it)
2. Fun (to always have it)
3. Action (to always take it)
I didn't go into the details for each, but the important thing is "I" understand what they mean to me. As you said, each person will come up with their own set of words.
Thanks for sharpening my focus.
Big hugs and lots of LOVE...plus a Happy New Magical Year to you,
Mudd a.k.a. Oza
xoxo
My 3 words are home, boldness, and focus. The main one is home and the other are satellites.
"Am I spending too much time in fields that don’t yield good return?" You hit the nail on the head. If people can do this effectively, you are on your way to success in a huge way. Its a major step and often a hard one. Success always to you!
Best,
Jeff
My own single word for 2008 = "decide". Because we do make decisions all the time, but we don't always admit/embrace the fact that we ARE making decisions. I'm keeping myself conscious of that one word so I'll remember to be more conscientious about making decisions actively, rather than by default.
All the best for 2008!
I've been using a more complex system for a few years (Best Year Yet by Jinny Ditzler) b/c I love the process she takes you though, all backwards and forwards, to scoop up learning of the months past and use it to suss out where I really _want_ to spend my time/focus in the months forward.
But one element is simple and elegant, and similar to your 3-words concept: the new paradigm. As part of the ferreting process, I come up with the ONE THING I BELIEVE, which, if I could change that belief, would have the most impact on my life.
This year's paradigm is "Help Is Everywhere." Because it is, for one, and it's high time I opened my eyes and heart to it. Because nothing happens (or nothing worthwhile) without some help: from friends, from strangers, from the universe.
And of course, part of the reason I was able to arrive at this new paradigm is b/c of the help I've gotten from you, Chris--both specifically crafted for me and the incidentally-meant-for kind.
So thank you. And if you need any help...
http://www.cultureby.com/trilogy/2007/12/holida...
and I LOVE that term. The BF and I have been using it all morning.
I'm kind of interested in "farming", myself, particularly when it comes to the creative process and idea generation.
I've not been really diligent about goal setting or "framing" my actions other than trying to follow some principles and common sense. The past few years have shown me that I might need to change my ways.
I look forward to seeing how your three-word mantra works for you in 2008!
Excellent idea! I would add Stillness. Humans are moving so fast that they hardly take time to be. The focus on technology and our dependence on it, takes us away from ourselves (innerselves). It is important to take a break from all our actions each day and be still with no thought about actions.
I read your three words last year and thought they were perfect. This year's are great, too.
My personal inspiration for the last year or two is a short phrase: "It's on its way." I saw Wayne Dyer talk about the phrase on PBS: he suggested defining the "it" for yourself, and then working toward making the phrase happen rather than sitting back and expecting "it" to come to you. Good idea, and a very uplifting mantra if you mean "I'm making it be on its way" when you say it.
I hope "it's on its way" for you in the New Year.
Regards,
Kelly
Check out the Maximum Customer Experience Blog!
* Eat
* Sleep
* Poop
These words form his entire operating framework and extends his abilities to influence to the rest of the family ;-)
Again, great post Chris,
Sincerely
John Blue