The Power of a Theme
Tips for the Season

10% off everything
on this site!

The Ever-Amazing Practice of Annual Themes

Over a decade ago, my life partner Rob and I decided to create a theme for the year. We soon discovered this had the potential of being life-altering and we continue the practice to this day. Below is a list of our annual themes, plus a replica of our 2009 poster.

1995 - Year of Transition

1996 - Year of Celebration

1997 - Year of Exploration

1998 - Year of Adventure

1999 - Year of Lightness

2000 - Year of Achievement

2001 - Year of Enjoyment

2002 - Year of Transformation

2003 - Year of Reinvention

2004 - Year of Enhancement

2005 - Year of Fulfillment

2006 - Year of Recreation

2007 - Year of Eudemonia

2008 - Year of Enrichment

We were delighted to discover that choosing a personal theme changes your perspective. In fact, without this practice, "Why Is Everyone So Cranky?" may never have become a reality. It was during our Year of Exploration that I decided to "explore my potential as writer" and embark on writing the cranky book.

During the Year of Reinvention I retooled my business, launching my enterprise as a writing coach and manuscript doctor for authors that want to take the stress out of writing solo. I relieve them from having to struggle alone with their project. Our teamwork and my transformational editing make their book more clean, clear, and comprehensive prior to publication.

In 2004, the Year of Enhancement , I launched www.PreciousPurpose.com , offering handmade (by me) inspirational jewelry (mostly bracelets) packaged with the gift cards I make, bearing an inspirational story or original poem (written by me). The bracelets are connected to life events from sad to celebration. Never having been a "craft" person, who would have thought I'd embark on such a thing?

Annual themes are the perfect antidote to stress or crankiness because they keep you focused on what you want to manifest. People ask how we choose our themes, and at first we had lengthy discussions about what might work, but in time, the themes emerged on their own. We never know how things will unfold, but they always do.

The practice of naming a theme is powerful. It makes the year more purposeful and much less stressful. Friends and clients tell me it has added new meaning to their lives. I encourage you to try it, and see what unfolds.

Imagine a Year of __________ for yourself. Trust the process. Trust yourself. Not only will having an annual theme shape your attitude, it will influence your daily decisions. I love it when friends ask, "So what's your theme this year? Mine is. . ." and then they explain. I just smile.

2009 is the Year of Action & Follow Through and it happened because of the "cranky" book. In the new edition I describe three key elements that keep us out of the cranky zone and help us make good things happen in our lives:

DESIRE is the vehicle.

MOTIVATION is the engine.

DISCIPLINE is the fuel.

It would be a very short journey without the fuel. I realized while fine tuning these ideas that I'm strong on desire and motivation, but sometimes I fall short of the mark due to a lack of discipline. So this theme will help me better manifest what I want to accomplish. Stay tuned!

Be a cranky buster. Choose your theme and let it unfold. You'll be glad you did!

Here's what a friend and colleague, Karen Cortell Reisman (speaker and author), told me about her theme adventures:

"The annual theme thing is powerful-and I have YOU to thank for this rich tradition.I'm into my 5th year of these themes and they do surprise me. Somewhere during the year, the theme presents me with an epiphany far different than I thought would be the outcome(s)."

 

Questions about this or anything else on this site? Ask the cranky expert and await your answer!