My one word

I know I'm late to the "one word" party, but nevertheless, I'm here! :)

The "one word" movement is about choosing one word this year to focus on and live out. Not a huge list, though I do have a few other things I would like to focus on this year as well. One word. I can do that.

The word I have chosen is PROGRESS. Progress is defined as "ovement, as toward a goal; advance. Development or growth, Steady improvement."

I tend to be an all or nothing kind of person, as I'm sure you've read about here in the past few years since I've been blogging. And because of this mentality, I'm often paralyzed by the need for perfection. I feel like the Lord gave me a word and kind of a divine revelation in my own life. I posted it on Facebook and it seemed like I am for sure not the only person that needed to hear it. This is what I posted....

This year I'm focusing on progress, not perfection. Sometimes I'm paralyzed by the fact I can't do it all. I don't have a perfect house, perfect marriage or have mastered the art of being a perfect mother. But I can stop and fold one load of laundry even if I don't have time to reorganize the linen closet first....I can iron one of my husband's shirts even if I don't have time to iron them all...and I can pause and read my kids a story, even if I don't have time to sit and get out a craft project. I won't hit my goal weight in one week but each pound that comes off is one that will get me closer to my goal. It's the little things that will all add up someday. Instead of stressing about all that I am not, I am going to choose to focus on who I can be at that moment of each day. Today I was tempted to be overwhelmed by all that needs to be done around the house but instead, I took it one task at a time and at the end of the day, I feel good about what I did instead of complaining about what I didn't get done. Progress not perfection in 2013! I can do it!

I love it when you start with a thought and then before you know it, your fingers have typed out exactly what you need to hear. 

I have been experiencing so much more peace even in just these first few days of 2013. And interestingly enough, my productivity has increased! 

Instead of getting overwhelmed, I've been using snippets of time to get stuff done around the house. This is huge for me....I often just get discouraged and cranky! Yesterday I had a big cleaning day planned and the kids were going to their Nana's. Nana had to cancel so I had to postpone my cleaning day. I decided to just do what I could though and I ended up getting a lot done even while my kiddos were running around. 

Progress applies to so much more then just chores......just in case you were wondering. :) 

Progress in 2013. 

What's your word?