I am joining Honoré and friends today to share my start with my word for 2020:
If there is no struggle, there is no progress. — Frederick Douglass
I foolishly assumed that my focus of 2019 would just flow seamlessly into my intentional start to January.
Key word there… foolishly.
Because for as brilliant as focus was, my intentional start was, well, rather rocky. Uncomfortable. Awkward. Unsettled.
I even had some moments when I considered picking a different word!
But I persevered and have settled in with my discomfort – sort of. The wisdom from Frederick Douglass has become my mantra:
If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
So, I don’t have much to share this month outside of this messy, unproductive start.
However, I am immersed in the struggle and live in the hope that progress will soon be visible!
Did you pick a word for 2020? How has your start been?
We learn so much in the times of struggle and disappointment. I would say that is a very good start.
I agree that it is a good start Kat. One that has you thinking!
Most of my real learning experiences have resulted from discomfort and struggle, and I hope that your struggles will result in progress throughout the year. Frederick was right!
I think it’s important to remember that inherent in your choice of intention is the realization that results and outcomes don’t always match our intentions. I think the fact that the first month of this word has not gone as smoothly as you would have hoped means that you’ve chosen a word that will throw up some challenges for you, but through tackling those challenges, you will, I hope, grow — or pretty much what the very wise Mr. Douglass said!
When you reach the part where the struggle meets progress then you’ve found the magic. I know you’ll get there.
That’s such an encouraging message to remember and thank-you for it. Being able to stay on the edge of discomfort sounds a very fertile place to be, if somewhat uncomfortable – hoping this next month brings pockets of visible progress for you …
If there is no struggle there is no progress (profound!). I hope you find your stride and get comfy with your new word!
oh my, Kat – my beginning has been the SAME as yours (well, except for thinking about a new word 😉 … maybe it’s the sign of a healthy beginning to consider why we’re here in the first place?!
Someone once told me that growth comes from the times we are uncomfortable. I applaud your honesty and think you are off to a good start. As you read, my tender-ness took a left turn too.
Y’know . . . one of the most important things I learned last year was that . . . no matter how strong YOUR intention, sometimes you still bump right up against reality. Which throws the whole thing out of whack. It can feel like failure, but it’s far from it! I actually think that a rocky start . . . is the best start. (After all, we shouldn’t have everything figured out already in January, should we?) XO
PS – The biggest changes come when we’re uncomfortable. Keep moving.
What a perfect start to the year! You’re right – progress will soon be visible. It’s born from this struggle!
All of any progress I’ve ever made has resulted from absolute rocky if not totally dismal starts. You’re in a great place and you’ll make it to the top; this I “know to be true…” Carry on!
Cheers~
I agree with Douglass’ quote, and sometimes it may hurt. My word is [re] connect. The list of areas that I want to apply this to I hope will be manageable, and will definitely take me out of my comfort zone occasionally. We’ll see . . .