WHAT IS YOUR WORD OF THE YEAR?
By Amanda Thooft
Production Manager,
Star Publications
Pause, pick a word, then let it be your inspiration in 2025!
New year, new goals.
With another year passing by, I feel the need to start a new goal. Every year I pick a word of the year; last year’s word was balance. This year I have chosen the word pause. Pausing can mean many things in life. For me, I want to pause the chaos and take time to zone in and focus more on what is in the moment.
Family, work, faith, and life can all get so overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If I pause all of the distractions and focus in on the task or moment at hand, I can be more productive and more purposeful with my time.
Here are some tricks to keep focused and pause the distractions of life:
Life never seems to slow down. Hopefully, these steps will help me to pause it and be productive, turn off distractions and also not be the distraction. Being intentional with my time and making sure at the end of the day I can feel more productive at work and be a present parent is how I will dedicate 2025. What word will get you through 2025?
Amanda
Production Manager,
Star Publications
Pause, pick a word, then let it be your inspiration in 2025!
New year, new goals.
With another year passing by, I feel the need to start a new goal. Every year I pick a word of the year; last year’s word was balance. This year I have chosen the word pause. Pausing can mean many things in life. For me, I want to pause the chaos and take time to zone in and focus more on what is in the moment.
Family, work, faith, and life can all get so overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. If I pause all of the distractions and focus in on the task or moment at hand, I can be more productive and more purposeful with my time.
Here are some tricks to keep focused and pause the distractions of life:
- Keep your phone on silent. If you need to be contacted you will know. Checking every notification will not keep focus and will also pull you away from completing many tasks. Turn off notifications on your apps that you do not want to receive. Train people that are important to you to call twice if it’s an emergency or have a code text to know if it requires immediate attention.
- Set up a Google calendar. The constant shuffle of trying to keep your schedule figured out within your work and family life can easily stress any person out. Google calendars offer the ability to toggle off and on work appointments and your family’s schedule. You will be amazed how fast the anxiety of missing an event goes away when everyone is sharing the same calendar. You can share work events with coworkers and family events with just your family members.
- Social media breaks. You do not need to take a break from all social media, but maybe decide which apps are worth it first, then intentionally take time to scroll social media. Set a time limit or a break time to take it all in, then be done with it for the day. I have not seen many studies that show social media helps us in the long run so don’t scroll for a long run.
- Create a list. Some of us are list makers and some of us are not. Creating a list gives me a sense of accomplishment. Give yourself three separate lists – things that must be done today, this week and this month. Break down tasks to the point where you do a little bit on it every day, so by the end of the week you can check it off with ease instead of feeling the rush to complete it.
Life never seems to slow down. Hopefully, these steps will help me to pause it and be productive, turn off distractions and also not be the distraction. Being intentional with my time and making sure at the end of the day I can feel more productive at work and be a present parent is how I will dedicate 2025. What word will get you through 2025?
Amanda