Word of the Year – Freedom

Word of the Year: 2023

Word of the Year: 2023

Freedom

Fighting Routinely with Enthusiasm that Empowers you to Design Opportunities that Matter.

Joe Klaas, Twelve Steps to Happiness

FREEDOM – /ˈfrē-dəm/ – The quality or state of being free: such as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.

Overall, freedom is an important aspect of human life and is essential for the full development of one’s potential and the ability to live a fulfilling life.

FIGHTING – / fahy-ting / –  To strive vigorously and resolutely, as in trying to overcome something.
At Bottleneck, we strive to create a platform designed to create freedom. Freedom is never easy or free. It’s the opposite. It consists of hard work, overcoming obstacles, and failing… a lot. We don’t let that get in our way and that is why we work so hard for our clients. We know what they are facing day in and day out. That is why we are constantly FIGHTING for both our clients and our own freedom.

ROUTINELY – / rü-ˈtēn-lē / –  As a matter of regular occurrence.
Developing good habits, or routines, are paramount to achieving your dreams and ultimately your freedom. Consistency makes such an enormous impact on personal and professional growth. My friend and amazing audio engineer Jason DeFillippo doesn’t believe in the definition of insanity as doing something over and over hoping for a different result. Instead, he believes doing something over and over again is practice and guides us in the direction of perfecting our life/craft/skillset. This ultimately leads us to achieve our dreams.

ENTHUSIASM /in-ˈthü-zē-ˌa-zəm/ –   Filled with a strong excitement of feeling.
Focusing on your best work and what you are most passionate about in life should take up at least 75% of your time. We will always have tasks we don’t particularly enjoy, but your enthusiasm for performing these tasks will remain consistent because you are able to reward yourself after the task is complete by going back to doing what you are truly passionate about. I learned this from my dear friend David Shriner-Cahn. Enthusiasm is contagious. Embrace your excitement no matter what you are working on.

EMPOWERS – /im-ˈpau̇(-ə)r/ –  By empowering those closest to us, you are in essence giving away one of your most valued assets…
TRUST. This is exactly what we do at Bottleneck every day and this is why we strive so hard to work with our clients to empower their assistants by giving them the authority to make decisions. At Bottleneck, everyone on the team has the power to make their own decisions and this drastically reduces the amount of red tape that usually prevents larger organizations’ agility and ability to move quickly. If you want to know how we make decisions here at Bottleneck, please feel free to ask anyone of our team members… yes, we have a process for that, lol.

DESIGN – /di-ˈzīn/ – Design to me refers to the process of creating a plan or solving a problem or need, often involving the use of artistic and creative skills.
This can include the design of physical objects, environments, or digital experiences, and often involves a combination of aesthetics, functionality, and user experience. Many people fail to achieve their freedom because they don’t take, or have, the necessary time to design their life how they want them to be. You MUST have a plan in order to design the life you want to lead. What is your Why?

OPPORTUNITIES/ä-pər-ˈtü-nə-tē/ – A favorable or advantageous circumstance or combination of circumstances.
Opportunities provide individuals and organizations with the chance to grow, learn, and achieve their goals. They allow for new experiences, the ability to take on new challenges, and the potential to achieve success. Having opportunities can also lead to increased innovation and progress in different fields. Additionally, having opportunities can promote diversity, as different individuals will have the chance to bring their unique perspectives and abilities to the table. Overall, having opportunities can lead to a better quality of life and a more prosperous society.

MATTER – /ˈma-tər/ – The importance or relevance of something.
In a professional context, something might matter because it is significant to the company’s goals or mission. In a social context, something might matter because it affects the lives of many people, or because it is a matter of public concern. I don’t believe in work/life balance. I just believe in life balance. Everything we do is what our lives consist of and that is what matters. So, do what matters to you. If you don’t take care of yourself first, then how will you be able to take care of anyone else?