One Little Word for 2016

Three years ago, I began participating in One Little Word®. A project begun in 2006 by one of my favorite bloggers Ali Edwards, One Little Word® is choosing a single word to guide your year.

A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be the ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp and biting or rich and soft and slow.
— Ali Edwards

My words have had incredible impact, particularly  in 2014 when I chose growth. I wrote that I wanted to grow my family and my business and I got all that and a heaping helping of personal growth that year as well. Despite feeling like I missed the mark with last year’s word, I’m excited to choose another word to help me steer the ship in 2016.

I’m excited for 2016. Barring any unforeseen circumstances or Immaculate Conception, I won’t be pregnant for the first year since 2013! Felix will be turning one and, while he isn’t a walk in the park, I’m beginning to see then end of the infant care tunnel. I can’t wait to see what the year holds for Pantsuit Politics, my coaching business, and the blog.

I confessed in my weekly email recently that I’m uncomfortable with money. It makes me nervous discussing money or fees or negotiating. My friend diagnosed me as having a low money tolerance – meaning it doesn’t take very much to make me nervous.

I want to work on that in 2016. I want to get more comfortable charging for the work I do because I bring a lot of value and I deserve to be paid for it. I want to do my best Amy Schumer and state unapologetically, “I like money.”

So, I’ve decided my word for 2016 is… prosper.

It was my brilliant cousin who first proposed prosper after we had rejected value, achieve, and worth.

I wanted something positive but concrete. I wanted the word to push me to seek financial success, but not stop there.

Prosper is perfect. The definition is “succeed in material terms; be financially successful.” It can also mean to “flourish physically; grow strong and healthy.”

I want to my podcast to prosper. I want my business to prosper. I want to flourish in all areas of my life – emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and physically.

I want to prosper.

So, that’s my one little word.

Here’s to a prosperous 2016!