Our 2020 Words of the Year and How They Apply to Your Business
Episode 390: Show Notes
It’s that time of the year again — we’re sharing our favorite words for 2020 and how they relate to your business! This past year, Abagail’s word has been “react”. She worked hard at learning to process her emotions in healthier ways and to not overreact to situations, trying to find that delicate balance between allowing yourself to feel the feelings but also not letting them guide your decision-making.
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Emylee, on the other hand, wanted to approach this year with “ease”, knowing that she had many changes ahead, such as moving to a new house and figuring out childcare. What she learned in the process was that she needed to make a decision that worked for her at that moment instead of trying to make long-term, “forever” decisions for every little thing. In this episode, we share our new words for 2020, and they’re good! Why not choose a word of your own (and share it with us over on Instagram) to guide you through the year; a word that summarizes the mindset you would like to adopt and take into the new year? Be sure to join our conversation to learn the whats, whys, and hows!
Why “React” Was Abagail’s Prominent Word in 2019
For 2019, Abagail’s word was “react”. This year she thought a lot about how she was showing up in the world and her need to control and sometimes change people, which of course you can’t do! There are things that only you are in charge of like your words and how you react to other situations, and it’s important to remember that how you show up always affects other people. Abagail admits to still having freak-out days where she would overreact to things, but generally, she feels content with how she has been able to respond to situations over the last year – both personally and professionally. But because she has gotten a firmer grip on her outward reactions to things, she has taken more pressure internally. There is a balance between letting yourself feel the emotion but not letting them guide the decisions you are making. Being an adult requires us to navigate our emotions and deal with them in mature ways — and it’s hard sometimes. Abigail has had some negative ways of dealing with stress in the past, and of course, that is self-destructive and makes the original problem worse. Be sure to take care of yourself in how you cope with pressure.
How Emylee “Eased” into 2019
Emylee’s word for 2019 was “ease”. When she came up with that word, they were moving and she was thinking about easing into and settling into their new home. They also had a few ups and downs regarding childcare, so there were a lot of new things she had to adjust to. For her, the focus was on getting comfortable in her new circumstances. Even though she can identify certain things she let go — such as working out — she needed to just settle into her new routine and living in a different area. And how did her “ease” affect their business? She would have liked to have introduced more ease into this facet of her life too! Because some of what had been successful in 2018 was not working as well in 2019, Emylee’s brain hustled harder than it had ever done before. There were many things they had to face which they were not expecting in their business.
Keeping Your Word Alive Year-Round
What we’d like to do differently with our words for 2020 is to use them throughout the year as a more long-standing resolution; to really aim to keep them in mind throughout, not forgetting about them three months into the new year. Your word should set the tone for the entire year. But to do this, you need to remember what your word is! Writing it down, posting it on a bulletin board or putting it on your phone will help to remind you about it. These are not goals though — you need those too — but rather states of being. This is the road you will choose when presented with options. And this word is only for you and only applicable to you, and it is also highly personal. You can’t use it to push other people into doing what you want them to, because this won’t be effective; it might be an isolating journey but a rewarding one nevertheless.
Emylee’s Word For 2020 is “Simple”
These days, Emylee is much more committed to listening to her gut feeling and paying attention to her intuition. She’s already started implementing this word since the second half of 2019, and it has felt good. She has chosen “simple” for the reason that she has been presented with so many options, in this business, her side hustle, relationships, parenting – you name it. But she is trying to see her choices through the lens of which option will serve her best at that moment. In the past, she’s made decisions based on the outcome she believed would be the best for her in the long-term, or even forever, while now she makes her choices based on what’s right for right now – knowing that it can change and she’s able to adjust it. Dwelling on problems or making them bigger than they are is unnecessary and exhausting, so sometimes making a choice that solves the problem best for the time being is all you need. It does not have to be the solution forever.
Abagail’s Word for 2020 is “Margin”
The word Abagail came up with had to apply to business and her personal life for the coming year is “margin”. It’s about giving things space to expand and creating space to think and be. For her, 2019 has involved tight schedules and perhaps trying to do too much. Therefore, this coming year she wants to have more “white” space. “Margin” on the business side means a focus on profit and letting things work themselves out and fall into place the way they’re supposed to. Sometimes putting timestamps on things is not helpful, and you’ve got to just wait it out and see how it plays out.
Highlights
Why “React” Was Abagail’s Prominent Word in 2019. [0:02:22.1]
How Emylee “Eased” into 2019. [0:08:30.1]
Keeping Your Word Alive Year-Round. [0:13:13.1]
Emylee Word For 2020 = “Simple”. [0:16:53.1]
Abagail’s Word for 2020 = “Margin”. [0:25:37.1]
ON TODAY’S SHOW
Abagail & Emylee
The Strategy Hour Podcast
We help overwhelmed and creative entrepreneurs break down their Oprah-sized dreams to create a functioning command center to tame the chaos of their business. Basically, we think you’re totally bomb diggity, we’re about to uplevel the shiz out of your business.
KEY TOPICS
2019 Words, 2020, State of being, Emotions, Decision-making, Simple, Margin
