What’s In a Word?
Many people choose a “word” as a focus tool for the year. I have been doing this since probably 2005 when Kathy, the owner of the yoga studio where I practiced, passed around a basket with words. I chose “openness.” At the time I asked if I could pick a different word. After all, the woman next to me chose love, which seemed like a much better word. I remember Kathy telling me that I was stuck with openness because the word had chosen me.
I went home, taped the word onto my computer, and let it be an anchor as I went through the year. Looking back, I know that this made a tremendous difference in my year.
What it did was allow me to focus on being a person who was more open to opportunities, more open to challenges, and more open to other people. It required me to “be” or work on “becoming” a certain person.
That is what I like about choosing a theme, whether that’s one word, two words or a short phrase. It is not about resolving to do something. It is about becoming – becoming the person you want to be. You know those New Years resolutions you make every year? Lose weight, get organized, exercise more, the list goes on and on. The reason they don’t work is that you are still “being” the same person. You need to choose to “be” a different person. It’s the focus on being that makes a difference.
Here we are nearly at the beginning of a new year. I have been thinking about my word, or rather my intention for being, for the year. I looked back at the words from previous years — openness, abundance, challenge, joy, consciousness, trust among others.
Last year’s word was impact. I wanted to create a bigger impact with the people I worked with. I wanted what I do to have a positive impact on people I may not even know. I wanted to have a greater impact on my own life. And, I want to feel mindful inside about what I was doing. All of that required me to take specific actions.
Choosing Your Word
Have you picked a word or theme to guide you for the year? If you have not, give it a chance.
Here’s some ideas if you need help getting started.
Think about the quality or direction that you want your year to take. How would your year be different every day if you focused on this quality every day of the year? What would you and your life look like one year from now if you focused on this quality?
Think about what you might have resolved to do and ask yourself what quality is necessary for that. If you followed our four-part goal setting blog series, ask what quality is needed to accomplish those goals.
Try a search online for character qualities and go from there. Lots of people immediately come up with a word that resonates with them. Others need a bit more time. It’s about finding your word, not someone else’s. My best advice is think of a word, mull it over, and if it keeps showing up, that is the one.
Moving Forward Next Year With Your Word
Once you come up with your word or intention, what do you do with it? Here are four tips:
Create habits or practices that will let you incorporate this word/theme into your life. This could be as simple as creating goal/affirmation cards around your theme and reading them every day. I write my word on a sticky note and attach it to my computer where I will see it every day. Since I work with artists, many of them create a small piece of art with the word.
Share it with someone else. This is especially helpful if the person will hold you accountable. Over the years I have shared mine with some of my mastermind partners or family members, and we talked about why we chose the words we did.
Look at where you’ve sabotaged yourself with respect to this word in the past. Why is now the right time for this word? We are all our own worst enemy, and it’s important to look at where we stop ourselves. When you understand this, it will help you watch for triggers that may stop you going forward.
Do something that lets you take action on your intention. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to know the “how.” You are letting the word guide who you become. When you are ready, the how will show up.
What is my word for next year? I’m still mulling, though I know it’s around leaning in and taking bigger risks. No fear need apply.
What word did you end up with? And, if you picked a word last year, how did that make a difference in your life? Please share your word below (in the comment section) to make that commitment and see what you can create in 2017!