My three words 2026.
Discover. Explore. Create.
I just came back from a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada. I know! Your immediate thought is “Vegas,” The Strip and gambling. Most always when people asked where we were going, I would say, “Nevada” to visit family. Correct answer but not very specific geographically. Yet, this was the easiest way to keep the focus. To direct attention to the purpose and goal of the trip and not be distracted by the bright lights and tinsel.
In Vegas, we discovered residential communities, ethnic enclaves, and a variety of food choices that were far removed from the Vegas Glitter and Vegas pricing. Resident family members were excited to show off Red Rock Canyon, a place of natural beauty and hiking and touring trails.
We explored the mountains, and desert like conditions, experienced rain brought by relatives who have a solid track record of rainmaking across deserts. Just looking up, we could see snow in the not very distant mountains. Serenity without leaving Las Vegas itself. We took the time to explore all that was around us. Some landmarks were obvious. Some things that inspired us were less visible but equally impactful.
“My three words” is my annual setting of parameters to guide my actions throughout the New Year. An intentional part of my New Year preparation that has proven to be far more effective and sustaining than any New Year’s resolution has ever delivered. This is my 10th anniversary year for participation in a ritual that I continually thank Chris Brogan for teaching me. If you haven’t done this, do try to set words to guide your year. I am pleased with the process and my results and can pinpoint various successes in my life, my goals, and my business plans tied to the words I’ve used.
DISCOVER
Discover this is a year to be totally open-minded to everything that crosses our paths. In some cases we have no choice. The noise, the politics, the shrill armed camps of thought seek to fence us into one side or another. Rather than choose sides I am open to discover the positives and negatives of things as they arise. Being open to discover new things allows me to experience new meaningful interactions.
EXPLORE
Explore is taking these new discoveries and digging deeper. Discerning the true full benefits, risks, and liabilities of choosing one path or another. Exploration is what used to happen with in-depth journalism and reliable independent unbiased news reporting. Because it is more difficult to find these days, the onus is upon each of us to truly look at the differing opinions and determine what is true.
Explore represents my opportunity to deeper awareness of the here and now and being present and open to what’s around me explore satisfies my curiosity and to have something to show for it and outcome for me is creating whether it’s art communication platforms business successes that’s an integral part of what’s important to me being productive and giving back.
CREATE
Create is my joy in life of taking action and making things happen. I look for satisfaction in seeing results. I enjoy, measure, and improve with each creative endeavor.
My Three Words – at work
Here are a couple of local examples of how this process has played out for me in Manchester, New Hampshire.
In 2020 my 3 words were: Leadership – Journalism -Community and they led me to Carol Robidoux and Manchester Ink Link
In 2023 my 3 words were Delight, Magical, and Present. Delight and magical made many interesting opportunities burst forth with great success. I helped launch Manchester Ink Link’s Arts and Culture focus.
2026 is barely out of the gate and Discover – Explore – Create has focused me on helping Ted Menswar launch a new sports column at InkLinkNews.
Just as Arts have grown at InkLinkNews, with nurturing, more local sports stories and names from the past will get new visibility. Community thrives when we focus on local stories, local people and situations where we can have positive impact.
This is the 10th year that I have participated in this process of creating my three words for guidance. You can find all of my prior choices here on my website.
Care to share your own and join this helpful way to launch your year? Comment on this post and add #my3words as a tag.