Dictionary.com's ‘2011 Word of the Year’ was tergiversate: to change repeatedly one's attitude or opinions with respect to a cause, subject, etc.; to equivocate. Here is some background on why this word caught their attention this year.

Politicians are criticized when they “flip flop,” and people who change their minds repeatedly are often perceived as being weak or easily manipulated. But in these times, when circumstances change from week to week, flexibility may be a sign of an agile, ever-thinking mindset. As more facts become known, or experience shows that something that seemed to be a good idea might not have worked well in actual practice, don’t be afraid to change course rather than remaining married to a particular strategy or philosophy.

This doesn’t mean you don’t have a strong “moral compass” that serves as a guidepost for decision-making. That is foundational for everything we do and determines what we consider right or wrong, what we base loyalty upon, what we consider to be priorities in our lives, and what we stand for.

But sometimes, it’s possible to confuse those basics with a viewpoint or ideology that may need to be re-visited given current circumstances. In other words, being open-minded without compromising heartfelt principles is often a real asset.

So my New Year’s resolution – along with the usual ones you can probably guess – is not to be afraid to tergiversate! Join me in doing that, and maybe we can not only mix things up a bit and have some fun, but also find some new solutions that could make a real difference in 2012. Happy New Year!

Posted by:  Pam O'Connor