Today is National Brew a Potion Day. How did following the trend of the National Day calendar even start? I also noticed that people are beginning to pick a “Word of the Year.” So, naturally, as a copywriter, editor and proofreader, I perked up to this trend. So, my word for 2023 is pinpoint.
Pinpoint
The word pinpoint is a less “corporate-ease” way of saying focus (Hire an editor to get rid of useless corporate-ease http://www.rivetservice.com/). Although I’m not big on formalizing a recap of how my business faired in the previous year, I was at a breaking point for making one happen this year. So instead, I’m planning on summing up how I fared because I’m exhausted, like many entrepreneurs and small-business owners. I’m now in my third year of business and am entirely comfortable with making substantial changes to move forward to greater gains and successes.
In my first two years, I was grateful for any paying job. I would pinball from job to job, juggling imaginary balls to keep afloat. Often, the lower-paying clients would have the highest demands and shortest deadlines. I had to exit the hamster wheel and fast.
So, without formally doing so, I started narrowing down the work in May to be ready by summer. But, honestly, saying one thing and doing another is quite different. I couldn’t let the paid work go. It was like I was pulling the slot machine lever: taking a job, getting paid quickly, putting in the work and pulling the lever again, all while getting minimal return monetarily and psychologically.
Going Cold Turkey
Finally, the holidays broke me. I ended up quitting cold turkey before complete burnout set in. I narrowed my work to two main copywriting clients and four editing clients. Add on an extended international holiday vacation, and I’m ready to stay pinpointed on what I get paid for the most and work for the clients I genuinely enjoy and respect.
I also hope that hopping off the crazy train will give me at least one workday a week to focus on my business. My overcommitment in 2022 may have been a coping strategy of not looking at what I needed to accomplish in my business. Another perk of staying pinpointed is that I pump out way better work and remember why I love what I do.
I encourage you to pinpoint what you love to do and stay committed to it. What is your word for 2023? Add it in the comments, and let’s start a discussion.
Here’s to 2023 and making more of what we have in the tank!
