For well over a decade, I have been choosing a “word” for each new year.
The chosen word is a theme and I usually start deliberating about this when the previous year is coming to a close. I start thinking about what I want more of and what I want to bring into the New Year. I ask myself, what are the things that I intend to achieve and what qualities do I need to embrace in order to achieve what I have set out to do?
This is how I find my word for the year
I focus on what I want to experience more fully, and what qualities I need to possess to do so.
Once I have chosen my word, I make it visible. I post it everywhere. You can put messages or post-it’s on your mirror. You can journal with the word. This is equally as important. In order for the word to be meaningful, you need to work with it.
My word for 2021, for example, is CONNECTION. I have defined this word in my journal, and I read this every single morning.
By defining what deep, rich, and meaningful connections are, I can then read this to myself whenever I need a reminder or inspiration. When advising others in finding and defining their word, I suggest the following guidelines:
- What do I need?
- What’s in my way? What needs to go?
- What do I want to do? What energetically do I want to move to me and through me?
For example, if I focus on my 2021 word of CONNECTION, I need to define with more than word what it means to me. What aspect of connection am I going after?
Deep and meaningful connection with the divine, with myself, with my lover, my parents, my children, my grandbabies, with my team, and all people who cross my paths. Real meaningful, fully present, deep, and fulfilling connections.
This is what I read to myself each morning.
This is the expanded version of what I am really looking for. This is a reminder that I am seeking deep, abundant, and beautiful connection this year. It is important to keep this word top of mind. I have had times where I have forgotten what my word for the year was. It wasn’t top of mind, it wasn’t visible, and I, therefore, wasn’t focused on it. It is really important that if you are going to take the time to identify a word, you need to keep it visible.
It is a word that can have so much power
You’ve identified it as important to you. You’ve isolated it. You’ve worked with it. Make sure the word is everywhere. Make sure it is somewhere that you will see it all the time. Revisit it. Expand upon it. Let the power of the word work for you and do its thing. Words that I have chosen in previous years are:
- 2011: Surrender
- 2012: Gratitude
- 2013: Joy
- 2014: Mindfulness
- 2015: Advance Boldly
- 2016: Deliver Creation
- 2017: Spaciousness
- 2018: Level Up
- 2019: Celebrate
- 2020: Align
- 2021: Connection
These words may offer you inspiration or give you ideas.
I have been going through this process for over a decade, but I didn’t always track it. These words are a reminder of how I have evolved as a person, as a partner, as a daughter, as a mom, as a grandma, as a leader, as a businessperson, and as a friend.
My choosing these words and focusing on them for a year has truly shaped who I am.
So, what will you choose as your word? What will you focus on this year? I also want to emphasize that the beginning of the year is ideal, however, if it isn’t the New Year, it isn’t too late. Focus on and do what you can in the time that you have. What word do you constantly revisit either as a strength or as a weakness? What do you want to work on? Ask yourself what you need NOW and go from there.
If you could spend the year improving yourself in one aspect, what deserves your attention? What can you focus on that will bring you joy, growth, and success?
Start now and prioritize the time. What will your word for the year be?
