Have you picked your Word of the Year? If you haven’t, you need to get on that ASAP! I have found that having a centralized theme that guides, directs, and in a nutshell, simplifies my yearly goals to be super helpful. I am sure you will find like I have, that having a word puts your actions into perspective.
Table of Contents
Why a Word and Not a Resolution?
At the beginning of the New Year, everyone is talking about resolutions. The problem with resolutions is people often pick things they can’t stick with. Why they can’t stick with them is as varied as we are individuals, but having a word as a guide is much easier to stick to than full-out New Year resolutions.
When you are moving throughout the year and find yourself stuck or in a situation where you need to make a decision, simply look back at your word. Which option best fits with your yearly theme? Which choice is fulfilling your overall goals? Having a guiding principle helps set the course for growth and decision-making.
Sounds great, but how do we get started if we’ve never had a word of the year before?
How to Pick a Word
There are several strategies you can use to pick a word of the year. I often know what my long-term goals are and therefore my word just sort of fits in. However, if you don’t know what you want as your word here is a 5 step process to help you figure it out.
- List out all the things you would like to focus on over the next year
- Do you have any SMART goals determined for next year? If so write them down too.
- Review your list and see if it has a theme. Cross out any words that don’t seem to fit with what you want.
- Pick out a few words that describe your overall yearly theme
- Which word would give you the best chance of reaching your goals? If you were to view the world through the lens of that word? Which one is the most motivational?
Picking your word is not always easy, but it is helpful. Reviewing, brainstorming, and listing out creative ideas helps with many areas of small businesses. This can help you in your personal life too. You can have different words for different themes. Many people have different words of the year for personal, career, or business goals.
Manifest Change
Now let’s make your word work for you. Put your word in a place where you will see it every day. Whether that’s a photo on your phone lock screen, a vision board, or printed and hung somewhere; it’s important you are constantly reminded about your word. Manifestation is so important and can lead to fulfillment, abundance, and overall happiness.
That doesn’t mean bad things can’t happen. This is life after all. Mindset plays a direct correlation to how you overcome adversity and distractions. When you can choose finding the positivity in a situation will help you feel more in control and shut down the bad processes our brains are wired to use. Use your word to propel you forward and guide your dreams and allowing you to live your best life.
Word of the Year Suggestions
There are so many amazing power words that you could use. If you are struggling with picking a word below is a list of 50 words you can choose from. Of course, you can use this list for inspiration as well.
If you have made it this far and have ZERO ideas for what a good word would be, try out this Word of the Year Generator. Picking something to guide you is better than having nothing.
Here is a FREE worksheet that will walk you through this process. Combine it with the word list suggestion to find your perfect word.
What is your word for this year?
Work of the Year Conclusion
Now that you have your word picked out you can set your goals, and priorities, and dedicate your time management around it.
Figuring out what tasks are actually priorities will help you manage your time most effectively. This is harder than it sounds. That is why I’ve created a workbook to help you figure this all out. Let’s get your actual business and life priorities straightened out.
