We must give more in order to get more. It is the generous giving of ourselves that produces the generous harvest. ~ Orison Swett Marden

I don’t know about you, but for me, December usually means one thing … reflection.

It’s the time of year I tend to spend reviewing any progress I have made during the year starting with intentions I made way back in January.

I use the month to check in with myself.  Am I still heading toward my ultimate purpose, or do I need to adjust my rudder getting myself back on course.

For the past several years, I have used a nifty little tool I learned from Christine Kane.  It is a fascinating concept of choosing a focus word for the year replacing the age old tradition of resolution setting.

The concept is to choose one word to guide and direct your efforts in becoming who you want to be or what changes you want to make.  This process is not for the faint of heart.  The word I pick (I really should say the word picks ME, HA!) requires me to transcend the way I normally interpret certain situations or circumstances.  By using it as a touchstone, it shapes my decisions keeping my intentions in the forefront.

The simple act of choosing a word for the year has the tendency to call me out rather than should-ing me to work harder.

While that place can be anxiety-inducing, it is also when I know I have landed on the right word.

Next, I use a writing tool to further confirm, direct, and hone in my chosen word setting me on the path to accomplishing it.  If you wish, that same tool is available here as a printable PDF format, here as a printable Word document or here as a fill in using your keyboard Word document.

Through this process, I have chosen Harvest as my 2015 Word of the Year.

Why Harvest?  When looking at the literal definition of Harvest … as a noun, it can mean both a gathering of anything that has matured (a harvest of wheat), or a result of any act, process or event (the journey yielded a harvest of wonderful memories).

As a verb … Harvest as an action word takes on a little different meaning … you can use it to gather, to gain, to acquire, to use, to catch or to reap.

Both renditions are incredibly important for me in the upcoming year.

And like I said before, this word is just a little bit scary … so I knew I was on the right track.

I consider myself a pretty hard worker; some might even call me a workaholic.  However, I have this limiting belief concerning accepting money as value for my work.

I don’t mind working, in fact, I would be super-duper happy if we lived on a barter system.  But we don’t. … Money is this world’s chosen system to exchange for something of value.

I receive tremendous value when I coach people.  I love to watch clients and GYTO members reach ah ha moments in their whole body health journeys, or see them achieve their physical body goals.  Most of all, I get giddy sharing support and encouragement, and being a part of their minutia we all call everyday life.

But being giddy don’t pay the bills.  ::giggle::

By focusing on the word Harvest, it’s going to help me look at the whole business end a little bit differently.

• Harvest will remind me daily the seeds I sow deserve a reaping in bountiful measure. It will help me remember harvesting is the reward for working hard.  I can look forward to the harvest as a place of fulfillment for a job well done.

• Harvest will help me appreciate the planting process and then reaping the abundance. It will help me receive graciously and share generously.  It requires me to vest full presence in all that enhances and animates me, and then enjoy the connections and creations created along the way.

• Harvest teaches me there really is no beginning, middle, or end … it’s more of a flow — preparing the soil, planting the seed, nurturing here and enjoying there, reaping the reward and starting the cycle again.

Shift was my 2014 word and I did a lot of shifting during the year.  I had to shift into high gear, and that I did.

• Received certification in Herbology, Essential Oils, Biofeedback and Functional Health Assessment in January
• Opened a new and improved website in February (Get Your Thin On)
• Purchased a newer vehicle in May when old one died (huge shift as I had never purchased a car on my own before)
• Opened up the companion Community Support Forum in September (GYTO Forum)
• Released the first version of The First Step in November (November of 2013 through the release date)
• Revamped Facebook Page to better reflect the Get Your Thin On new direction (October)
• Revitalized The Biz Buzz (weekly newsletter) on the 4^th Anniversary (December)

Now is the time to Harvest … however, that doesn’t mean I am slowing down … just wait till you see what is in store in 2015!  I can hardly stand the anticipation and I can only hope you will join me!

How about you, do you want to choose or did you decide on a Word of the Year?  If you like, you can share it in the comments section below. And/or join us and share it with the group at the GYTO Forums!  Note:  Must be registered and logged in to see this thread.