Zoe turned five last month. About six weeks before the big event, she called me on Skype and said, \u201cGrandma, my birthday\u2019s coming.” I assured her I was aware of that. “I\u2019ve \u00a0got my theme,\u201d \u00a0she announced. I was flattered to get the advance notice, but even more pleased that\u00a0Zoe already knows that a party is just a party until you give it a theme. Then things start to happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Themes aren\u2019t just for parties, of course. You can can put your entrepreneurial efforts on track and keep them there with a theme. It could be a single word or a phrase that becomes your motto. Either way, it will help you gain clarity and focus.\u00a0<\/span>I like to pick a new (and challenging) theme for each new year; shorter projects also are given a theme. When you\u2019ve chosen a theme, it will also be a catalyst for ideas that are in line with that theme. You’ll manage your time more effectively and notice things that are in alignment with your project name.<\/p>\n A seminar participant who had been procrastinating about getting her writing business launched called her project Anne Learns How To Market Her Writing. This led her to read several books on the subject and take a couple of adult ed classes on marketing for freelancers. Within a few weeks she\u2019d sent out five query letters and gotten a writing assignment. “What had seemed intimidating before,” she recalls, “suddenly became a fun challenge.”<\/p>\n Recently, I made another discovery about themes. While I\u2019ve always thought of themes as being consciously chosen, I\u2019ve noticed that people who participate on social networking sites often reveal a theme that they may not be aware of. I see folks who consistently model themes such as I\u2019m Here to Sell You Something, Did I Tell You I Wrote a Book, I\u2019m Here to Get What I Can. Other people seem to have Gratitude, Generosity and Curiosity stamped all over their posts.<\/p>\n If we\u2019ve all got major and minor themes operating all of the time, doesn\u2019t it make sense to actively chose those that bring out the best in us?<\/p>\n Here are a few theme possibilities to consider:<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Expand A life devoted to trifles not only takes away the inclination, but the capacity for higher pursuits. ~ Hannah More<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Zoe turned five last month. About six weeks before the big event, she called me on Skype and said, \u201cGrandma, my birthday\u2019s coming.” I assured her I was aware of that. “I\u2019ve \u00a0got my theme,\u201d \u00a0she announced. I was flattered to get the advance notice, but even more pleased that\u00a0Zoe already knows that a party…<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Travel Light
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Simplify
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Explore More
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Make Connections
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Build Strength
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Do It Easy
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Visible Abundance
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 No Limits
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Daily Laughter
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 More Magic
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Wildly Creative
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Amaze Myself
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Welcome Opportunity
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Keep Moving Ahead
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Back to Basics
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Fully Engaged
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Renaissance
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Collaboration
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Dream Bold
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Catch the Spirit
\n\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 New Adventures<\/p>\n