My Three Words for 2010

Last year, I used Chris Brogan's "Three Words" to set some professional/personal goals for the year.   The process is simple:

Think of how you want to be successful in 2009.  Then, try to think in even broader terms. Extrapolate on the broader terms, and find one word to hang the idea on.

In 2009, my three words were: Streamline, Weave, and Einstein. In looking back at what I set out for myself, I realized that I accomplished a lot.  However, I think I miserably failed at streamlining!  I think because streamlining is about scarcity thinking, not the abundance of working in a networked way.  

2010 is going to be a fantastic year and have lots of ideas, projects, and people that I'm excited to be working with (more about that later).   For now, let me share briefly these words/concepts.

Photo by Cobalt 123

Networked:   Networks of people or organizations - is something that I've been looking at deeply during 2009 as part of my work at the Packard Foundation as Visiting Scholar.  The word "Networked" is the second word  in the title of the forthcoming book, The Networked Nonprofit,  I co-wrote with Allison Fine during 2009.  I plan to continue thinking and writing about the ideas and themes we cover in the book, but also focus on how the practice of a networked nonprofit.

Some of the themes include:

• Change management and issues like social productivity related to the adoption of a "social culture" in an organization
• Organizational simplicity and working in networked ways.
• Movement Building, network weaving, and connectedness
• Working with crowds and the art of  transparency
• Relationship building, engagement techniques, and building social capital
• Experimentation, reflection, and learning
• Social media metrics, and ROI

Photo by Temari09

Generosity:   The definition of generosity is the habit of giving freely or spending time or money for others, without being rewarded in return. Generosity is the pure intention of looking out for society's common good and giving from the heart. Generosity reflects your passion to help others.   This both a value and goal of my blogging work - to share learning about how to use social media effectively and as an extension learning about what networked nonprofits do. 

In this spirit, I will continue learn in public.  I will continue to share case studies and guest posts by others,  my own processes - especially training techniques (particularly incorporating social media) and presentations, and will continue to book giveaways as appropriate.

I am also very curious about the new meaning of generosity as it relates to social media and connectedness. I am interested in looking at the whole evolving area from fundraising2.0  and the rise of freeagent fundraising. 

I'm also interested in diving deeper into the concept "Lethal Generosity," a term coined by Shel Israel and how it is used by the for-profit sector to create cause marketing campaigns or just plain marketing campaigns. 

Photo by Pink Sherbert

Full of Life:  This phrase will be a guiding principle in 2010 for me both professionally and personally.  On the personal side, it means sustaining curiosity, leaving time for serendipity, exploring sandboxes, balancing getting things done with making stuff happen, and following my passion for learning.

My 53rd birthday is just around the corner and I'll be celebrating it with a fundraiser and full of life!

What are your three words for 2010?

Comments

[Laura Deaton]

Hi, Beth - Although really four words, it's three concepts for me: Challenge, Change, and Collective Co-Creation. I'm looking forward to all three!

--Laura

p.s. Happy 53rd!

[Wendy]

I have 4 words:

You.Are.So.Cool.

[frank]

Hey Beth. Thanks for sharing your words. It's cool to see how friends are thinking of the new year. Now I can watch it unfold. You've got quite a bit of thought already put into #1 it looks like. I'm sure doing the book has helped with that.

p.s. Full of Live is the RIGHT way to live! Love that. You breath life into a lot of people with your work (blog, wiki's, sharing, etc...). Thanks for how you share.

[Jerry Bell]

My three words are interchangable, usable in any order, and expandable for broader applications to my professional and personal goals. Thanks for your catalyst!

[ADSLA]

How can you be full of life if you have to walk on eggshells?

[Chris Brogan...]

A really great three words. : )

[Diane Gauld]

Those are great words for 2010 and I will borrow 2 of them "Generosity", "Full of Life" and add my own "Evolve". Thanks for the great way to set goals for the New Year.

[Jason Inman]

I look forward to the book.