What is in a word? Well, if you are looking to find a word of the year, it can mean a whole lot.
Words can convey expression, emotion, action and intention.
And I think that is what I love about having a word of the year—it can encompass all of those things and so much more.
Have you tried picking a focus word for the year?
Whether you’ve tried it before or not, stick with me a bit and find out three ways that will help you choose and identify a word that is perfect for you.
A few years ago, a friend challenged me to find a word of the year that would set my mindset and focus for the new year.
A long time believer in the new year, new you concept and after trying many well-meaning resolutions that seemed to fizzle out after only a few short weeks into January, I thought why not give it a try.
What I found surprised me.
The first year I tried it, I spent way too much time overthinking what my word would be. Finding just one word to summarize what I’m about and want to accomplish in a year seemed impossible.
The first mistake I made was looking around and seeing what other people were doing. It doesn’t hurt to see the chosen words that people pick for inspiration, but you want to make sure the word you select is personal and meaningful for you.
If you’ve tried this method, you may have noticed it feels similar to seeing someone else wearing something that looks amazing on them, but when you purchase the same thing and wear it for the first time, it doesn’t feel like you.
So, after years of doing this, I’ve learned how to nail my perfect word for the year and want to share a few tips with you.
How to Get Started
With an estimated 171,146 words in the English language, how do you pick just one for the year?
First, pick which category defines what you want out of your year. Is it an intention, action, emotion, or mindset?
When you are having trouble identifying what your word is, starting with one word for each category can take away some of the overwhelming feeling.
Ask yourself the following questions and write down a word by each of them:
Intention – What commitment will you make to yourself?
Actions – How do you want to move and operate through the year?
Emotions – How do I want to feel this year?
Mindset – Howhow will you anchor your thoughts?
Here are some examples if you need some help:
Look at your list and see if there is one that you struggle with the most. Is there one that stands out to you the most?
After you find your word, it might actually fit in several categories (which is kind of the beauty of it). The first time I chose a word, I used this method of asking these questions and had growth as my word of the year. Committed to not just focusing on a goal or outcome, the word growth fit into many of these categories of taking action, intention, and mindset.
I took it up a notch and ordered a bracelet with my word of the
year written on it as a visual daily reminder of the commitment I made to myself.
What to do when you have no clue what feels like you.
Sometimes it can feel challenging to even know who we are. Have you ever felt lost asking yourself “Who am I?”
Don’t worry. Most of us have been, or will be asking ourselves that question at some point.
Inspiration can be a text away.
An exercise I learned from another mom that was trying to figure out what she wanted to do in the next phase of her life was to ask others what they thought of her. Text some friends and ask them to text back three words that come to mind when they think of you and see if there is a common theme or something that sparks inspiration.
I know, even with your close friends it can feel a bit strange to ask them to say something nice about you. Even worse, the feeling of, “what do they really think of me” in case it’s not so nice. When I gave it a try, many of the responses I got were expected. Words like “loyal, caring, funny, driven” were things I knew to be true about me. But when I saw words like, “risk-taker, confident and brave” texted back, I thought, “who are they talking about?” Then I thought, “Why not me? If others see me this way, of course I AM and CAN be these things.”
It is also fun to find out what other people have as their word of the year. You can learn so much about what is important to them.
It also tells you how you can encourage and support them in the year ahead.
Pay attention all year long
Is there a word or phrase that kept popping up for you? Was it something you read, saw on television or social media that almost felt like it was in all caps and bold print speaking directly to you?
I’ve been to conventions where it seems like the speaker is talking directly to you. Or, even church services where I swear the pastor must have written the sermon with me in mind. That is why I prefer a word of the year where you are more likely to pick up and see those messages that are meant for you. Not only do you see and hear them, but they feel less like criticism and more like an opportunity. Why?
Unlike a New Year’s resolution of picking a goal like, “lose 10 pounds, or get up earlier” is that it is usually focused on a number or specific outcome. If you do reach it, what next?
It feels more limiting to one thing, and it is easy to get bored, get off track, or lose sight of the goal. Then you beat yourself up when you don’t achieve it. Bring on the negative self-talk.
With your word of the year, you’ve committed to taking daily action in how you feel, think, grow and intend to live. In doing that, you are now open to receive all the wonderful things that are meant for you.
Using a combination of the texting friends’ words that described me and paying attention this past year on what stood out is how I knew the word brave was right for this year. Ever since I saw that word texted back from a few friends (and was a word that surprised me), I began to see it all around me.
Did you find your word of the year yet, or need to find a new one?
Just like putting on that new outfit, does it look great on you, fits like a glove, and most importantly you feel amazing in it? If your answer is yes, then I would say your word of the year looks amazing on you!
