Ruth Kalinka Designs

Last night, my friend Erica O’Grady and I had a wonderful long phone conversation about life, goals, the past year, what lies ahead, what we want to improve, and our ThemeWords for 2009 and 2010. Like Erica, I’ve been picking ThemeWords since 2008, and it’s been fun seeing this idea from LifeCamp2007 inspire so many people!

In 2009, I began with the ThemeWord FLOURISH. Throughout the year, I met amazing people, completed important projects, and grew tremendously, but it was also the toughest year to date in every aspect of my life. While I kept my sights on flourishing, a more appropriate ThemeWord might have been SURVIVE because, miraculously, I did.

Like so many other people, I am excited and relieved to see a glimmer of hope for the new year. My 2010 ThemeWord is TRANSFORM. In these last few days of 2009, I am preparing by tying up loose ends, setting goals, decluttering my computer, seeking advice, and exploring new tools.

How about YOU?

1. What are your goals? Your ThemeWord?
2. How will you check in, stay on track, and measure progress?
3. What strategies and methods do you use to get things done? How have you developed – and stayed with – a system of follow through that you trust?
4. What tools do you use to manage information overload, keep resources organized (especially links and digital files!), follow through, connect with people, and interact more efficiently with your world?
5. Are you still searching for tools and techniques? What has – or hasn’t – worked for you and why?

I can’t wait to hear your ideas and suggestions!

My housing search ended last week in a surprising way. While I was so determined to move to reduce rent (and had several nice options available), I ended up using that market research (47+ properties!) to negotiate my existing lease.

The search was invigorating and exhausting. I met amazing people, joined new communities, and enjoyed the adventure. But, the process was physically demanding and emotionally draining, so it was also a relief to reach the end.

I’m continuing to downsize and reorganize my space, but now I am channeling all of that search energy into connecting with new clients, creating awesome web and print design work, and pursuing my passions in food and wine.

Sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop and change direction, instead of feverishly pushing forward on something that is no longer taking us toward our goals. Sure, I’ve made some compromises in this choice, but I know on a gut level that this was the right decision at this time.

I later discovered that this advice can also be found in The Dip by Seth Godin, whom I had the pleasure of meeting with Hugh McLeod at the Purple Cow print party on the very day I ended my search. The event was wonderfully intimate and inspiring, particularly on a day of moving forward in a new direction. (Thank you, Hugh and Seth!)

It turns out that the place I mentioned yesterday is only available for at most a month or two. I’d prefer to only move once and wrap up this search ASAP, so that I can bring all this energy back into my professional life without having to move again in a month. I’m looking for a roommate to share a great 3 bedroom with parking (found yesterday) or a place of my own. Who do you know?