It’s been quite popular and common to associate the coming of a new year with setting goals, outlining what you want to achieve in the next year. Another common ritual is to choose one word for the year to live your life by, with great intention. The word is acting as your guide in the choices you’ll make, in the actions you’ll take and the outcomes you anticipate by applying that word to all you think and do. Why has choosing one word gained such popularity? Because it’s easier to focus on just one word, one intention at a time instead of your entire goal list. Bite-sized pieces are always more digestible.

How do you choose a word to live by for an entire year? It’s good to reflect on the previous year and list what happened that was desirable and successful, but also note what was challenging or what you need more help with. Where and how would you like to grow? What are your weaknesses? What are your strengths? This is a good place to start so you can approach each day with conviction and accountability.

Your word must be personal, unique to you. You can get suggestions for words and meaning, but you will choose what resonates with you. It will feel right.

“Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Write your word out and make copies. Tape it to your common areas—nightstand, bathroom mirror, closet, car, wallet, kitchen, garage , studio, travel bag, briefcase—wherever you will see it often. Before you make a decision or answer someone, pause and place your word in each scenario. Let it sink in for a moment. Make sure your decision or answer is in alignment with your desired word for the year. These are all moments of truth to shaping what the end of your year will look and feel like.

Sometimes our words offer another way of looking at things, or areas of our lives: things we’ve become complacent with, unaware of, or even apathetic to. When we are intentional with our word, we will often see things from another viewpoint, or actually notice what before may have seemed invisible.

So, how do you know what word is right for you? Let’s paraphrase from the above:
• Ask yourself what you want to achieve in the coming year.
• What things do you want to let go of? Situational stress, bad habits, confrontations?
• What do you want to improve on? Being more available, saying no more often, building relationships, visiting family?
• How do you want your life to look? More friends, fewer friends, travel, companionship, more self-exploration?
• Write down words—not in any particular fashion or order, just words that come to mind. Scratch off the ones that really don’t excite or move you. Look up definitions or meanings for the remaining words. Think outside of the dictionary.

“Once you plant the seed of intentionality; your life will begin to flourish.” — Lora de Vries

Once you have selected a word, visualize it washing over you like flowing water. Allow the water to wash any negative beliefs you’ve been harboring. This word will act as your guide, intuition and intention in all you do in the coming year. At the end of this next year, you will be able to look back and see how much your word shaped your reality and outcomes.

In case you’re finding it particularly difficult or mundane to come up with a word you can sink your grit into, I will share a few to jump-start you.

Yes! – Many have used the word “yes” to break through boundaries that inhibited them from making changes or doing new things. When yes is your word, you remember that you are allowing yourself to be open to situations and invitations that you otherwise might reject. This allows you to experience new things, places and even people. Obviously, do what is safe and legal, but otherwise say YES and see what happens!

Fragile – This word is designed to approach choices, situations and people as though they were all fragile and precious. If you only had this one moment or chance to take it all in, how would you see your opportunities with this mindset? Would you rush through or take your time and savor?

Colorful – Maybe you want to see the color in every aspect of your life. If something feels dull, how could you use color to brighten it up or see it differently? Full, rich, vibrant choices in life can add lots of color to your moments, days and months for the year.

Celebrate – Make time to celebrate each day, recognizing the importance of little things and celebrating them. Imagine a year full of celebrations? What joy that would bring to your life at the end of a year.

Courage – We all need courage when we are embarking into the unknown. Make a little badge or carry a note with the word written on it, write it on your bathroom mirror, and remember that you are equipped with this word and all the power it carries in each activity you do.

Whatever you choose, claim it all year long. Let it whisper to you when you are struggling or in doubt. Feel it continually washing over you, surrounding you and encouraging you to claim this year in conviction to this word. Imagine what you’ll be able to share at the end of a year. I can’t wait to hear all about it!

“Your life should consist of more than commuting, working, eating, surfing the Internet, sleeping and watching TV. Your life should be filled with purpose-driven experiences and projects that bring excitement, passion, energy, and authentic meaning and joy into your life.” — Richie Norton

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Photo, top, courtesy of Suzy Hazelwood / Pexels