January 4, 2017

2016 Recap: My Word of the Year and Why I Failed

I wasn't too sure about doing any recaps of 2016, because towards the end of the year, I got it into my head that 2016 was the worst year ever. I don't know when I got into that train of thought, but it appears that was a sentiment echoed over and over on social media. I may have genuinely felt that 2016 was yucky, but I now know that I allowed social media to add to my "gloom and doom" feeling.

I'm refusing henceforth to let negativity influence my life, so you might be wondering why my post for today is about a failure I experienced in 2016. Well, here's the truth about failure - it's not so bad IF you realize what your shortcomings were and LEARN from the experience.



Last year, my Word of the year was "DISCIPLINE." The reason why I chose that word/theme was because I had noticed that with my goals and resolutions in the past, I was never disciplined enough to follow through. I would have small and grand ideas, and would complete some but the majority went uncompleted. I figured that I needed to do better and instill more discipline within.

Needless to say, it didn't really happen. Or rather, I made a half-hearted attempt at it.

  • First of all, I didn't have a clear picture of what Discipline meant to me - did it mean reading my Bible first thing in the morning, limiting my spending and having a budget, minimizing the amount of TV I watched, etc. I was not very clear on what I was trying to achieve.
  • Secondly, you know how the Bible says we should write our vision down and make it plain? Well, I wrote my vision but it wasn't in plain sight where I could look at it regularly and reflect on any progress. What's the point of having a goal that you hardly remember or think about? That's not a goal. A goal is something that you ACTIVELY work towards. It's not passive. And that's what I was... passive.
  • Finally, let me just be honest, I was lazy. Discipline requires, well, DISCIPLINE! Discipline is hard work. And I simply didn't put it in. It's nobody else's fault but mine, and I can admit that. 
So as you can see, I may have failed in attaining the level of discipline I wanted. However, I know where I went wrong and what I need to do to move forward. Let's be clear though - in some aspects of my life, I was quite disciplined. Aside from my Break Time, I constantly churned out 4 to 5, sometimes 7 blog posts a week. That requires discipline. So it's not all bad! 

I do have a new word of the year, that I will share in the coming days. It came through a personal revelation to me towards the end of last year. 

Tell me: How did you do in 2016? 

22 comments:

  1. Discipline should definitely be everyone's word. How did I do? Didn't get to meet most of my goals due to lack of discipline and motivation, but learned a lot and grew stronger. I'm confident that 2017 will be more fulfilling and rewarding.

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    1. Discipline and motivation are indeed key to achieving goals, but I'm glad you learned through it, even though you didn't get to meet all your 2016 goals. Best wishes for 2017!

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  2. I liked this post although the title got me a bit worried. The post itself is motivational because failure is something that should make us push harder and some of the quotes are excellent reminders. Everyone I am sure has failed in something, so we need to get over it and move on. Happy New Year dear!

    www.wurassecrethair.blogspot.com

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    1. LOL, I didn't mean to get anyone worried. I'm glad you find the post motivational and helpful. We should not let our failures grind us to a halt.

      Happy New Year to you too!

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  3. You didn't fail. You could have done better but it was not a fail! Anyway 2016 is over so, in with the new!

    www.KacheeTee.com

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  4. 2016 was so-so for me. The first part was pretty great �� while the second part wasn't ☹. It hasn't been the worst year and I'm glad I can find some good in it.

    How was your break? Are you still on it?

    Don't Touch the Hair

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    1. I'm happy you can acknowledge and recognize the good of 2016.

      Erm, I think the break is over. Maybe I need to do a post saying break time is over?

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  5. hello Berry,
    2016 was my best year but it did come with its stress. However, God helped us to pull through. I just want to encourage you.....everyone has issues you know! but the management of the issue is key! As in the case that you took a break, what did you expect us who follow you, read your posts regularly and try to keep up with you should do? we should just go try finding something else to do or someone else to follow?.....please, next time when things are seeming so, try to put your readers in mind! you are not living for us though but you would be amazed at how many people rely on the next thing they are going to read from you. Have a CELEBRATION full 2017!

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    1. Hi Olabisi. Happy New Year. Thank God you had a great 2016 :)

      Honestly speaking, I really was just trying to keep my head above water when I decided to take a break. Blogging was becoming more of a chore, and not much fun anymore and I thought I was doing you guys a disservice by putting up posts that my heart wasn't in. I get what you're saying though - my mum actually lectured me about it (LOL). I'll definitely make sure to pace myself this year, so that if I do need a break, there will be scheduled posts for you to read.

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  6. This is inspiring. Keep it up, berry

    www.liveinibadan.blogspot.com

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  7. Self-awareness is a success; I don’t think you failed. I believe you learnt more about the importance of being disciplined and I’m sure you’ll apply those principles in the coming year. Happy New Year xx

    Damiloves blog

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    1. I like your slant on it, and yes, in a way I'm now trying to be more disciplined. I'm not perfect everyday but I'm trying a little bit at a time.

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  8. 2016 was also my worse year also and will remain so by God's grace because I learn a lot from my shortcomings. I also lacked discipline more or less laziness. And I didn't make plans nor goals. That was my first mistake. Like they say when you fail to plan you plan to fail. Good thing I realised my mistakes towards the end of December and ushered the new year with great positivity and goals. I hope this year bring a lot of achievements and blessings for us.


    5 things to consider before your start a blog
    www.tegaenai.com

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    1. Yup, you definitely need to make plans or else any little thing will blow you off course. You might not even be sure what direction you're going in. Thank God for new beginnings and chances to start over.

      You'll have a wonderful 2017!

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  9. I love this post, it's all about growing and learning from what we did wrong. 2016 was a good year for me, I stepped outside of my comfort zone a lot and it paid off and I will continue to that this year. I am also learning from all I didn't do right last year.

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    1. Girl, you slayed 2016! 2016 was your best friend, cheerleader, chariot, everything!!!

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  10. Replies
    1. Woot woot! Go Favour! Here's to an even better 2017!

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  11. Sometimes we look through the eyes of others and measure ourselves in the light of others experiences, so much so that we miss our on what matters in our own lives.
    Glad you picked yourself right back up Berry. 2016 may have happened the way it did but in the light of eternity 2016 was just one small portion, there more ahead and greater in stock.
    We will step into it and not be held up in the past, amen.

    Love your getting a word for 2017. Thats the first step to not just rolling around with what others have gotten for their own lives.
    I thought about my path and how to stay focused on what matters and that birthed an ebook.

    Others may find it helpful.
    link is below

    http://4thewomenatthewell.com/2017/01/04/new-ebook-starting-your-year-right-a-guide-to-having-a-year-that-counts/

    And yes, Happy new 2017 Berry

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    1. *rushes off to find e-book and start devouring*

      Thanks a lot for your encouragement. You're so right - 2016 is just a small slice in the grand scheme of things. Amen to your prayers!

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I'd love to hear from you about this post! Let's all learn and share our worlds.