By now the “new” on the New Year has begun to wear off. Some of your resolutions or goals may have already given way to inertia or outside forces.

Revive Your Determination
Would you like a way to revive your will and hang on to it? Consider setting a theme for the year. You should be able to capture the essence of the theme in three or fewer words. I prefer one word myself.

Julz on Fire
I have to give a nod to my coaching colleague Julie Ford for this concept. She wrote that she set the theme of “Julz on Fire” for this year. It inspired her to get her morning going and do with enthusiasm and vigor those daily chores she tended to drag through. It also inspired her to take on challenges she wasn’t sure she was up to, like running a 10-K.

Uncover Your Theme
Perhaps, as you read this you are feeling like I did: unsure of what your theme should be. Here’s an exercise to help you hone in on what matters most for you this year.

On a sheet of paper, create two columns by drawing a vertical line down the middle of the paper. Label the left column “Yes” and the right column “No.” Set your Blackberry, your Outlook calendar or some other timer to beep in five minutes.

Rapid Writing
Now in the “Yes” column quickly list what you want to have or experience this year. You may want a new car, life balance, victory in a big case, recognition from your partners, appreciation from your spouse, fun, new clients, an organized law office, peace, prosperity, weight loss, time with your family, or any number of things. Just jot as many of them down as you can in five minutes.

Sometimes as we’re trying to think of what we want, we think “Well, what I don’t want is to feel stressed out.” Or maybe you don’t want any more conflicts in the office, worries about your teenager, or late nights at work. If any “don’t wants” come up for you, just write them under the “No” column and keep going.

Look for Patterns
When your five minutes is up, take a look at your lists. Notice if there are any patterns. When you look at that list, what do you notice you are longing for? Choose the three you long for most. If you see different variations of the same concept on your list, maybe that concept should be in your top three.

Now find a word or phrase that captures the essence of what you want to have or be this year. As a lawyer and wordsmith, you know how to find the word(s) that resonate for you and stand for what you want to create this year.

My Theme
My theme for this year is “Ease.” Last year I wanted lots of business and unintentionally created the “year of overload.” This year I am setting the intention for just the right amount of business. I’ll take several vacations and long weekends. Solutions will come with ease and I won’t stress over deadlines and other things still in the future. I’ll have some quiet time each day, and keep my body feeling limber and relaxed. When I start to worry or stress, I’ll remember this is the “Year of Ease” and let it go. Answers will come.

I am already noticing that when I begin to feel stressed, if I remember my theme, I am able to consciously relax and release the worry. I have been surprised at the way things have sorted themselves out. Without my request, deadlines have gotten reset. Ideas and solutions have come to me. Someone even arrived to help me as soon as I stepped out of my car when a problem developed.

Other Examples
Some themes my coaching clients have chosen include “Balance,” “Pride,” and “Feeling Good,” “Follow Through,” “Self-Discipline,” “Get a Life” and “Staying Connected.” Some have reported a change in perspective brought on by choosing a theme. Some have become more intentional. You can use your theme to keep you on track, to remind you to make short term choices in alignment with your long-term goals, and to inspire you to create what you really want in your life and your law practice.

I hope some of you will choose to share with me the theme you set for yourself this year.

© 2008 Debra Bruce
This article first appeared in the February 2008 issue of The Practice Manager published by the State Bar of Texas.