“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” – Benjamin Franklin

The past few years I have chosen 3 words to help guide my choices in the coming year.

These words orient my MINDSET on how I will approach the year ahead.

These 3 words are not resolutions.  They are not goals.

They are filters I run decisions & opportunities through to see if they are right for me. These words help set the direction I want to take my work & daily actions.

I stole this idea from Chris Brogan. (TY Chris!)

Resolutions never worked for me.  I find goal setting limiting, even self-defeating.

With a goal, you wake up each day at a deficit.  Until that goal is reached, you are unaccomplished.  I find that this drains my willpower and enthusiasm.

After a few weeks, I usually move on to something else.

Focusing on 3 words leads to places far beyond where a goal would have taken me.

These 3 words create MOMENTUM.

They also act like a COMPASS when I lose focus and need to get back on track.

My 3 Words for 2016:

Simple – Simple succeeds.  Complicated fails.  I am going to prioritize simplicity in all aspects of my life.  I will take a simple, uncluttered approach to my home, work, & daily schedule.  I will do the simple thing well: show up early, give maximum effort, & leave things better than I found them.  When I start training Gracie Jiu Jitsu again, my focus will be on refining simple, basic techniques.

Consistency – Slow and steady wins the race.  I have learned consistent effort beats random flashes of greatness.  I will consistently bring value to my customers, quality time to my family, and positive attitude to life. I will consistently keep an open mind to new ways of doing things.  I will bring consistent effort to my ACL rehab & writing.

Gratitude – 2015 taught me how to be grateful.  I will show gratitude for the simple things: being able to walk up a flight of stairs, drive, & play baseball with my kids in the back yard. I no longer take any of these for granted.  Life’s biggest gifts are hidden in plain sight.  I will notice these gifts and show gratitude for them.

What are your 3 words?

What will you do different this year?

Answer that, and you will be on your way to a REMARKABLE year.

Wish you much success in 2016!

-Joe Ciccarone

3 Words for 2016