I’ve been thinking a lot lately about goals for 2017.
With how busy everything got at the end of 2015 going into 2016 last year, I lost track of coming up with my usual yearly theme.
This year, I’m bound and determined to reinstate the tradition, and I think I might be onto something:
“Highlighter.”
Allow me to explain.
A few months ago, someone I work with told me that they liken me to a highlighter. I correctly presumed this was mostly in reference to the fact that I have blond hair and am unafraid to wear bright yellow clothes from time to time. But this individual told me it was more than that. They claimed it was my energy as well.
Upon further reflection, I consider the comment to be a huge compliment. And something to should continue to aspire to in the future.
Why?
Highlighters illuminate what’s important. Who wouldn’t want to bring light to people, interactions, projects, and tasks? To brighten things up, to provide a focus and a spotlight?
And it doesn’t hurt that yellow and orange happen to be two of my favorite colors.
So, what am I going to highlight?
My hair, obviously.
But, what else?
Maybe not knowing is the point. I want to approach 2017 with a highlighter mindset, actively seeking things to highlight, identifying aspects of my life that are important so that I can recognize and focus on them. That might mean carving out the time to visit a friend in another city or send them a few more selfies on Snapchat to keep in touch. Maybe it means remembering to underscore how much I appreciate certain people in my life and taking the time to tell them more frequently. Or perhaps it’s prioritizing activities that are important: creative pursuits, investing in myself as a freelancer, or even starting to exercise more regularly again (I always did my best thinking when running, after all).
And it’s not just about focus. It’s about the light, energy and color you bring to it, too. Light it up!
So what’s next? With 2017 around the corner, I mentioned this idea to a few friends at dinner recently. Without me asking, they volunteered to be a part of my highlighter multi-pack. Which got me thinking…
Could we make it a movement? Highlight around the world?
I’m in if you are.
-JS