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2015 – A Fresh Start

January 16, 2015 By Training Authors Leave a Comment Click here for a FREE book marketing training

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I love new beginnings. I recently got a whiteboard, well I actually made it, and have been using it to help organize my thoughts. I will do a brain dump on my whiteboard and then either take a picture of it to keep it or type the most important information into a file on my computer.

It’s really helping me to get unstuck when I feel overwhelmed about a decision, a project, etc.

However, what I really love about the whiteboard is when I get to erase it and start over fresh again. There’s there’s something about a fresh start but I think we can all appreciate.

A Fresh Start

And as we start a new year, it feels like a fresh start for me.

Last year was a tough year for me. I shared more details about it on my ministry blog. My theme for last year was PRESS ON and the year really did live up to its theme in so many ways.

To be honest, I’m glad to be on the other side of 2014.

And I’m looking forward to what 2015 will bring.

Working ON Your Business Instead of Just IN Your Business

As a business owner, it is so easy to get busy working in the day-to-day tasks of the business. There are so many things that need to get done and usually my to do list is pretty long.

However, I have been setting aside time in the last couple of months to specifically work ON my business instead of just IN my business.

For me this means setting aside time to think, strategize, pray, etc. I am normally am an action taker (ready, fire, aim) and so it’s been difficult for me to slow down and actually take the time to work on strategy (ready, aim, fire).

But it’s been so good.

And just what I needed.

My 2015 Theme

The last few years I’ve chosen a theme for the year. I pray about it and ask God what theme I should choose. In 2013, my theme was FAITH. Last year, my theme was PRESS ON.

This year I chose the theme GROWTH. I truly believe this will be a year of growth not only in my business but also within me personally and spiritually.

And I find it ironic that my theme was about GROWTH as I’ve already seen my theme GROW from one theme to three themes. Ha!

Those three themes are:

  1. GROWTH
  2. CLARITY
  3. SHINE

I chose CLARITY because there are so many things I’m setting in place to get more clarity for our business as well as for me personally.  One of those things is my new morning routine which I’ll be sharing more about soon.

This year I have set some BIG goals for myself.  In order to accomplish them, I will need to fully shine and share the gifts God has given me.

My theme verses for Author Audience and specifically for this year are:

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” – Matthew 5:14-16

Fun, Daily Reminders of My Theme

I have a couple fun, daily reminders of my theme I wanted to share with you.

I created a graphic at Tagxedo.com to represent my theme. I then changed the background on my computer to this graphic as a reminder every day of my 2015 theme.

I also ordered a mug with my theme on it. However, this is not an ordinary mug. It’s a magic mug that is black in the beginning but as you pour hot liquid in it reveals the picture on it. I created one that is specific for my theme and have started drinking my morning coffee in it every day.

At the time I ordered it, I had just chosen TWO themes.  Therefore, I think of the SHINE theme every time the mug lights up from a black mug to a sunrise.  It shines!

It’s simply another reminder to help me move in the right direction.

What About You?

Do you choose a word for the year or do you have a theme? If so, share in the comments below.  And if you’re willing share with that theme means to you, please share the reason you chose it as well.  If you’d like to choose a theme, check out this post with a list of words to consider.

Create Reminders of Your Own Theme

Click here to get access to my tutorial video on how to use Tagxedo to create an image with your theme (it’s not as intuitive as you think, esp. how to change the colors). You will also get the link to the resource I used to order my magic mug for under $10 (plus shipping) – as well as the sunset picture I used. This is a picture CJ took on our camera and so you have permission to use it in any way you’d like (personal and commercial use).

Click Here for Instant Access

Ready or not…it’s time to move into 2015.  

Is it already the middle of January??  Wow!!

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Together, CJ and Shelley Hitz are passionate about equipping and empowering Christian writers of all genres to share their unique gifts with the world. This website is filled with spiritual encouragement as well as prayers to help you overcome the resistance you face as a writer. Your story matters! Our online community, Christian Book Academy, is where we help you write, self-publish and market your books. We invite you to join our community of Kingdom Writers! 

  
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