Do you have friends who are choosing a word of the year? Most of us have made New Year’s Resolutions, and most of us have ended up disappointed at some point because we didn’t reach our goals. It’s hard. We want something to change, but sticking with it is difficult. Life is difficult. So when you make a very specific, possibly unrealistic goal for yourself, to be reached in too short of an amount of time, it can cause you to fail. And that alone causes too many more issues. Resolutions are more of a pass or fail, but life isn’t about passing or failing. It’s about learning and growing and becoming the best person you can be. So why not stop choosing something that you might fail at, and instead make a choice to work towards something, making positive progress in your life.
It’s becoming more popular for people to choose a WORD to focus on for the year. Your WORD becomes the backbone for all of your decisions. Your WORD helps you focus on all of the important areas of your life; like relationships, work, family, yourself. Your WORD will essentially help you become more motivated and determined.
Choosing a word of the year, and sticking to it, is not easier to do than a resolution, it simply is less strict. A word of the year allows for growth in multiple areas, instead of the one single goal. Choosing a word can help you stay on track throughout the year. It is inevitable that we end up taking the path of least resistance in life. Life is hard enough, why would we choose to make it more difficult, right? BUT, having a word that has meaning and emotion behind it, helps us pick the path that we need to be on, no matter how bumpy that road is.
So how do you pick the right word for you? First grab a piece of paper and find a quiet spot to think. Fold the paper in half and write WANT on one side and CHANGE on the other side.
- Think of the person you were last year and the person you want to be in 2024. Write down those words on the corresponding sides of your paper.
- Think about what you want more of in your life, and what you want less of in your life? Write down those words on the corresponding sides of your paper.
- Now think about how you felt in 2023 and how you want to FEEL in 2024. Again, write those words on the corresponding sides.
Next, you need to narrow it down. Don’t overthink it. Look at all of your words and circle your top three. Sometimes the words can even choose you. Or allow your gut to tell you what words fit you. Allow yourself to ‘feel’ the words.
It’s important to understand that just by choosing a word for the year, doesn’t mean everything and every situation is going to be perfect and work out the way you want. In order for this to work, you must make the choice to be totally committed to your word. If you are not, you will only make excuses throughout the year as to why you can’t follow it. You need to have a WHY with emotions behind your word.
It’s important to resist the need to share your choices of words with others to get help making your final decision. You don’t want anyone else’s opinions on them. This is all about you. When a word feels right, choose it. Declare it. Once you have your word, post it everywhere; on the fridge, on the bathroom mirror, on the nightstand, and on your closet. Post it on the dashboard in your car, even write it on a small smooth stone and stick it in your pocket. Make it your wallpaper on your phone and computer. Make it so you can see your word all the time.
Let your word become a part of you. Then start paying attention to all the choices you make each day that will or will not fit your word. If you know something is going against your word, you know you need to change what you’re doing. This will help you become more focused every day in all situations in order to progress forward in life. Your word of the year is your reminder to focus on making positive changes in your life.
In 2023, my word was FAITH. I had fully surrendered to God in all aspects of my life. This was a very emotional and yes, scary decision. Because of this, He has continued to take care of my family in the craziest situations we have been in in the past and currently. I had taken a completely different path than I ever did before. I started to listen and watch what God was telling me to do. He worked through so many people to show me I need to be helping others who are struggling to find balance in life. I became more involved with my church, to consistently strengthen my faith and follow His path for me. I have become committed to my new coaching business, with understanding that this is the correct direction I am to be headed in.
We’ve had so much support from our friends, our family, our church, and even strangers. We are so grateful for this. I try daily to ‘do good’ as a way of paying it forward, and a way of saying thank you, because I haven’t been able to financially pay it forward or financially thank those who have helped us. So this year my word is “FLOURISH”. I am hoping and praying to ‘flourish’ in all areas of my life. The definition of flourish by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is to grow well, to prosper, to thrive, to succeed.
Some of the areas in my life that I want to “flourish” in are:
- My faith based coaching business
- Quiet time with my Bible
- Quality time individually with each of my kids and my husband
- Exercise
- Sleep
- And so much more….
There aren’t really any areas that I wouldn’t want to flourish more in, which is why I feel this word works for me. So this year I will FLOURISH in my life!
Take some time before the end of this year, brainstorm, write down some words, and choose your WORD OF THE YEAR! I can’t wait to hear what they are and why you chose your word.
