Three Words Instead of Resolutions

I’ve never been a big believer in New Year’s resolutions.

If you want to change something, quit something, or start something, you don’t need a date on the calendar to give you permission.
Real change rarely waits for January.
It should start when you recognize something no longer fits.

What has worked for me is a simpler practice: choosing a few words to guide the year.

Not unrealistic goals.
Not hard rules.
Not promises I’ll forget by February.

Just words that act as reference points when my world get noisy.

This year, my three words are:

Flexible.
Physically, mentally, and professionally. Staying loose enough to adapt, recover, and pivot when needed. Flexibility isn’t weakness. It’s range.

Deliberate.
Fewer moves. Better moves. Less reacting, more choosing. At this stage, intent matters more than speed.

Relevant.
Staying curious. Learning new tools. Translating experience into something useful now, not just relying on what worked before.

These words don’t demand perfection.
They help my awareness.
They help me pause and ask, “Is this aligned with how I want to show up this year?”

That’s enough.

The 4th Quarter isn’t about chasing fresh starts or dramatic reinventions.
It’s about making thoughtful adjustments that compound over time.

If you use a similar practice, I’d encourage you to try it this year.
Three words. Flexible meanings. No pressure