In January of 2010 I came up with three words that would guide me through the year. In 2011 I chose one word that represented three things I wanted to remember for the year. This year there is only one word and one idea: simple.

I have this bad habit of making things harder and more complicated than they need to be. A line of three products quickly becomes six or 26 or 206. One blog becomes three, and things that can be said in a sentence or two become full-blown essays. A quick walk on the treadmill becomes a half hour uphill slog that leaves me breathless. And on and on. While enthusiasm is great, I simply need to be more practical. So this year I’ll be reminding myself to keep it simple. 

I know that working all night on a rush job might help one person, but it compromises my health as well as pushing back every other job for the rest of my week. That’s not sensible, so this year I’ll be simplifying my product line so I can keep more items in stock for those last-minute events. Watch for some flavors and fragrances to be discontinued or offered only seasonally, while the favorites and some new ones take their place and can be ordered for immediate shipment.
I love to write and I enjoy coming up with projects to share here on my blog. But the simple truth is that I also have a great husband and kids. Often it takes a vacation (like this last week) to remind me how much I enjoy spending time with them. I’ll be making more time for them in 2012. Of course the time I spend with them inspires new ideas, too, so expect to see better posts here even if they are fewer and a little farther apart.
In 2011 I did a lot more “networking” than I ever have. I met so many interesting people and learned about their businesses and work. While I will continue making new business friends in 2012, I need to remember that my own direction and work is where my focus needs to be. Inspiration can quickly turn to distraction with the sheer volume of ideas and goals that other business owners have. I also find that comparisons can be deadly and at the very least they complicate how I feel about my work and my own goals. I’m just not doing that this year. 
When it comes to health and fitness, there is no secret. I know just what I have to do and it isn’t complicated at all: I need to eat fewer sweets and junk foods, and I need to exercise regularly. I feel better when I do both of these things. They are very simple, but that doesn’t mean they are easy. The same could be said of everything else I’m changing. Almost every time I felt overwhelmed in 2011, it was because I chose to complicate something that could have stayed very simple. It was easier for me to stick with my bad habits than to choose simpler and more sensible options. I’m hoping to change that in 2012. 
I’m still working out what all of this will mean for the people I work for and with, but this is my hope: fewer distractions will allow me to focus on your projects with new energy and enthusiasm. I may be alone in admitting that in 2012 I’m not going to do more. I do hope to do everything better. 
What about you? What are your hopes for 2012?