{"id":28151,"date":"2023-01-06T11:50:12","date_gmt":"2023-01-06T11:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/06\/whats-your-word-for-2023-rose-colored-glasses\/"},"modified":"2023-01-06T11:50:12","modified_gmt":"2023-01-06T11:50:12","slug":"whats-your-word-for-2023-rose-colored-glasses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/01\/06\/whats-your-word-for-2023-rose-colored-glasses\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s Your Word for 2023? [Rose-Colored Glasses]"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"Happy new year.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s that time. You dust off the journals neglected in the end-of-the-year rush. You locate the gym membership card and wonder if it will still scan since it\u2019s been a few months \u2013 or maybe a few years, given the concern about being around people. And you create New Year\u2019s resolutions.<\/p>\n

Or maybe you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Have you come up with your 2023 word yet?<\/p>\n

Resolutions seem so old school. Instead, pick one word to summarize your intentions and hopes for the new year. I\u2019ve been doing it for about 20 years, and it\u2019s worked well.<\/p>\n

My yearly word sets the foundation for where I want to focus. It acts as the root of all the intentions I write in my new year journaling.<\/span><\/p>\n

My word for 2023: balance.<\/p>\n

But it may not be the balance you think.<\/p>\n

@Robert_Rose\u2019s word for 2023 is balance. But it might not be the definition you think via @CMIContent. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

When you think \u201cbalance,\u201d an image of a scale with two equal weights providing perfect symmetry may come to mind. So, when saying things like \u201cwork-life balance,\u201d \u201cresource balance,\u201d or even our \u201cbalance sheet,\u201d you believe it\u2019s about adding or removing the force of one to equalize everything.<\/p>\n

Now, that\u2019s not wrong. It\u2019s the first definition in the dictionary \u2013 \u201can even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.\u201d But the second definition fits my intention for the year \u2013 a \u201ccondition in which different elements are equal or in the correct<\/em> proportions.\u201d <\/em>(The emphasis is mine.)<\/p>\n

Striking the right balance<\/h2>\n

Finding the correct proportions for my work is my focus for 2023. But the question is, \u201cProportions of what?\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m not looking to make a calculated decision on the amount of work I do in one area so that I can focus on some new innovative project. Yes, I\u2019ll reconfigure my activities (as we all do), but that\u2019s just determining the weights that fill my containers of time.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not my focus this year. My focus is on balancing the meaning of what each of those weights represents.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll ask myself about my balance of satisfaction in how I do those activities, so I can build my life in the way that feels the most rewarding.<\/p>\n

Let me explain.<\/p>\n

Whenever I told my grandfather I was unhappy at my job or frustrated developing a skill, he would ask: \u201cWhat are you building?\u201d Then he would tell me this story:<\/p>\n

A man happens upon three stonecutters. He stops and asks what they\u2019re doing. The first stonecutter pauses and says, \u201cI\u2019m cutting stones.\u00a0I\u2019m doing my job. I\u2019m making a living.\u201d The second stonecutter never stops hammering as he says breathlessly, \u201cI\u2019m cutting and polishing the best-crafted stones in the entire country.\u201d The third stonecutter takes a moment, points to the horizon, and smiles, \u201cI am happy. I\u2019m building a cathedral that will one day stand there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Most know they don\u2019t want to be the first stonecutter. Most people want more than simply \u201cdoing the job\u201d or \u201cmaking a living.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, it can be easy to get lost as the second stonecutter. You fool yourself into thinking you\u2019re working toward something worthwhile \u2013 the equivalent of beautifully polished stones. That was both 2021 and 2022 for me.<\/p>\n

Are you building a cathedral or cutting the best-crafted stones (i.e. stories)? Too many strive for the latter, says @Robert_Rose via @CMIContent. <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Worthwhile or worthwhile?<\/h2>\n

There are years when you end up with a lot of what seems like quality work and perhaps a full bank account to show for it. But you constantly pushed, forced, and sweated your way to that destination. You\u2019re a living embodiment of the mantra I hate: \u201cNo pain, no gain.\u201d<\/p>\n

You believe the pushing is worth your while. You\u2019ve got the best-crafted stones. You\u2019ve balanced your activities optimally to get there. But, maybe, if you listen just a bit more closely, you realize it\u2019s \u201cworthwhile\u201d with a little \u201cw.\u201d<\/p>\n

There was nothing bigger in your mind. There\u2019s no satisfaction in contributing to the larger picture you hope to see painted, even if it may be painted over after you\u2019re long gone.<\/p>\n

When you\u2019re in this mode, you may move from job to job, taking your commitment to excellence and frustration with you. It doesn\u2019t matter if you \u201cquiet quit\u201d and give yourself that side hustle that embodies the opportunity you think you want. Instead, you push and push, still feeling frustrated and like it\u2019s not enough.<\/p>\n

Which stonecutter will you be?<\/h2>\n

Last month, I talked with the CEO of a content marketing technology startup. He was as frustrated as he\u2019d ever been. A former journalist, he now runs a venture-based company looking to grow quickly. He wasn\u2019t frustrated by the usual startup challenge of feeding the growth engine. He knew he could create a company that made money. He was frustrated that he didn\u2019t know how to change the industry.<\/p>\n

He said, \u201cIncreasingly, I see myself separate from my business, polishing some separate jewel instead of feeding my passion. We are now wholly focused on building things that will sell or satisfy growth rather than the things we think are meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n

I told him the story of the three stonecutters and asked, \u201cWhat are you building?\u201d<\/p>\n

I asked if he might consider adapting some of the same aspects of his new job that he was less comfortable with. I asked him if he might rebalance the meaning<\/em> of his business so he didn\u2019t see himself as separate from it. I asked him if he might ask his team to consider why they are cutting stones. I said, \u201cIt\u2019s not just balancing which activities you\u2019re doing; it\u2019s rebalancing why and how you do them.\u201d<\/p>\n

I asked him to consider the same question I\u2019ve asked myself: How do I allow<\/em> for the right mindset to create more satisfaction?<\/p>\n

People (including me) often try to force solutions. They think, \u201cIf I just push harder, sell more instead of writing more thought leadership, or say no to more things then I\u2019ll get better results.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve found that things can \u201cget better\u201d even when I still do #allthethings. Approaching them with a different intention allows me to rebalance their meaning in my work.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s what I want to remember by making balance my word for 2023.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your word for 2023? Let me know in the comments. I hope whatever you choose gives you the satisfaction of knowing you\u2019re building cathedrals.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s your story. Tell it well.<\/p>\n

Get Robert\u2019s take on content marketing industry news in just five minutes:<\/h2>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=videoseries<\/a><\/center><\/p>\n

Watch previous episodes or read the lightly edited transcripts.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Subscribe<\/span><\/i><\/a> to workday or weekly CMI emails to get Rose-Colored Glasses in your inbox each week.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/em><\/div>\n

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski\/Content Marketing Institute<\/em><\/p>\n

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