Jeremiah Tolbert

December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choos­ing that word. Now, imag­ine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that cap­tures 2011 for you?
(Author: Gwen Bell)

Freedom.  That’s the con­cept and the word I’ve been learn­ing this year.  The last year has taught me the value and the costs of per­sonal free­dom.  Of not hav­ing to clock in and clock out every day at the same time.  I have the free­dom to choose what work I do.  I can over­work or under­work, so long as I am pre­pared to live with the con­se­quences.  I decide.  No one else does, except in the sense that clients come to me with needs.

The flip­side of free­dom in this regard is a lack of secu­rity.  Right now at least, I’d rather be free than secure when it comes to my work life.  Initially, the lack of secu­rity was fright­en­ing, but even this can be coun­tered.  Work hard, and you can build your own secu­rity.  The secu­rity offered by a salaried job is an illu­sion as we’ve talked about here time and time again.

I want 2011’s word to be awe­some.  In the “that’s so cool” and the “that’s awe-​​inspiring and a lit­tle scary” sense.  2011’s plans are just now com­ing together, and the year ahead holds so much poten­tial.  I hope I can live the life that earns such a gift.

So what word describes 2010 for you? I really want to know how the year went for my read­ers, even if it isn’t quite over.

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