At the start of each new year we have chosen a single word that describes our outlook and hopes for the upcoming year. Just as a simple movie theme can announce the entrance of a character or set the mood of a scene this word carries with it a broader meaning in our minds and a deeper expectation.
In our annual meeting Amanda and I decided our word for 2013 will be Hustle.
How We Found The Word
We both wanted to read Jon Acuff’s book “Quitter: Turning Your Job into a Dream and Your Dream into a Job” and last month Amanda had gotten it from the library after a long wait. Before the looming due date I hurriedly finished reading it. After my overwhelmingly positive response to the book we braved a late fee to keep it a little while longer so that Amanda could read it.
When we discussed the book we found that although the majority of the material had resonated with us, the chapter that resonated the deepest was the one titled “Hustle”. In this chapter Acuff describes what it takes to put your plans into action and actually build your Dream Job. He outlines the over-the-top and beyond status quo effort that it takes to build something out of nothing. I’d quote more of the book, but we already returned it to the library.
What It Means To Us
Hustle for us invokes a vision of football practice. My coach would tell the players to never go through the motions of a play, but to show some hustle. Don’t just walk to your destination; get there as fast as you can. Don’t stall or be hindered. Show some initiative. Practice like you play. Move it!
In application this word means waking up early and staying up late to produce more products. It means turning down social invites. For me it means spending less time with the kids and Amanda. For Amanda it means taking on more of the household responsibility to free me up to make money. It means buying the HEB brand peanut butter instead of Jif because it’s less expensive.
Our destination is serving the Lord while living a location independent lifestyle and our main hurdle is the debt that encircles us. This trap is one of our own making, and the only way we will get out of it is to run, not walk, toward the exit. Hustle reminds us that finishing this race won’t be easy, and it’s going to take sacrifice and struggle, but it will be worth it.
If we run the numbers of our current income and debt it is very likely that we will meet our goal of being debt free by our 10 year wedding anniversary on November 1st. That possibility is enough to fill us with anticipation and motivation to get moving and not stop. We’re ready to move!
How about you! Do you have a word for the year that you want to set the tone for 2013?
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