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Words of the year are so popular. They are not a specific resolution that you will beat yourself up over during the year if you try to accomplish and/or fail to do so.
It’s the roaring 20s! In the past, we’ve all made resolutions. Some of us have actually resolved them, others were never accomplished. It’s disheartening to look at your year in review and realize that your goals haven’t been met. That’s why words of the year are so popular. They are not a specific New Year’s resolution that you will beat yourself up over during the year if you try to accomplish and/or fail to do so.
Words of the Year: How to Choose Yours
Set Intention
Coming up with a word to define your new year will set an intention. It’s a word that sets the precedence for how you want to direct your year. Also known as a “focus word,” it encapsulates what you need more of, what you want to focus on, or where you need to improve in the year to come; Your “theme,” so to speak.
Everything you do within the year will be centered on this one word to get you where you need to go. A word of the year provides an anchor and inspires you to consciously (and even subconsciously) consider it when making decisions. Your result will be based on your intention. If the potential result doesn’t fit your theme, then is it worthy of your time and energy, and how does it affect your overall goals?
Your Theme
When choosing your theme for the year, consider the previous year. What do you need to improve or work toward? What word can help motivate you to get there? What do you want more or less of?
For example, if you are indecisive in your decisions maybe your focus word could be Action. If you need to focus on your revenue stream, Abundance would be ideal. Maybe you need to get your act together in general, Organize could be appropriate.
Steps to Identify Words of the Year
Choosing a Word of the Year requires thoughtful reflection and a clear understanding of your personal goals and aspirations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find a word that truly resonates with you:
Reflect on the Past Year: Take some time to reflect on the previous year. Consider the challenges you faced, the goals you achieved, and the areas where you feel you could have done better. Identify themes or recurring patterns in your experiences.
Envision Your Ideal Year: Imagine what an ideal year would look like for you. Think about your personal, professional, and emotional goals. What do you want to achieve, and how do you want to feel by the end of the year?
Brainstorm Words: Start jotting down words that capture the essence of your reflections and aspirations. These could be words that represent what you want more of in your life, such as ‘growth’, ‘peace’, or ‘courage’, or they could be action-oriented words like ‘create’, ‘explore’, or ‘build’.
Narrow Down Your Choices: Look over your list of words and narrow it down. Which word or words strike a chord with you the most? Which ones align closely with your envisioned goals?
Consider the Impact: Think about the potential impact of each word on your daily life. How will this word guide your decisions and actions? Will it challenge you in a positive way?
Make Your Decision: Choose the word that feels right. It should be a word that inspires and motivates you, a word that you can turn to when you need direction or encouragement.
Embrace Your Word: Once you’ve chosen your word, find ways to keep it front and center in your life. Write it in your planner, create a vision board, or place it somewhere you’ll see it every day.
Remember, your Word of the Year is a guiding light – it should reflect your highest intentions and help steer your actions throughout the year.
Envision It
Once you decide on your word, look for the theme in everything you do. Put it on your vision board or somewhere you can see it to remind yourself of the big idea you are working toward.
There are thousands of words that could motivate and inspire you to become a better person, a leader, an influencer, a business person, or whatever your heart is telling you to focus on for 2024.
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By Leslie Radford
**Updated February 2024