WORDS HAVE POWER
3 Simple Steps
to Choose your Word of the Year
Now is your opportunity to claim your intention for the year!
What is a word of the year?
“You can’t hit a target you cannot see, and you cannot see a target you do not have.”
Indeed words have power. What we say to ourselves or others can have a critical impact. Your brain is an extraordinary organ and has the power to move you towards or steer you away from things you want. Pay attention to your words.
Choosing a word for the year offers you an opportunity to have a bit of focus for how you want to lead your life personally and professionally. I often choose a word for the year. Sometimes I use it all year and sometimes another word may resonate more mid-year. In 2020 the word I chose in January was "pivot". I apologize! I didn't know when I chose the word we would be heading into a global pandemic where the entire world would need it. ...And pivot we all did!
Please don't over think this process or take on undue pressure. I believe your word will find you. I hope to take the overwhelm out and simply support you in identifying what is important to you. Your word gets to reflect your aim for the year.
Ready? Let's get going.
1. Breathe into Your Heart
It may seem too simple to pause and breathe into your heart, but it offers you an opportunity to clear out the clutter. Stop, don't "think" about what you want your word to be, but rather feel it.
Deep breath...
- Close your eyes
- Visualize breathing into your heart.
- Inhale for 3 counts...
- Hold for 4 counts,....
- And exhale for 5 counts.....
- For best results repeat for a total of 3 times.
Now, ask yourself, "What do I feel is my word?" What word comes to mind? Too often we try to over think things. It's best if your word aligns with you and who and what you want to have your focus BE for the year.
**Don't worry if a word doesn't come to you right away you can click the link for an extensive list of possibilities. Do not skip to this before you've given yourself an opportunity to find your word organically.
2. Test It
Now that you have a word, how does it feel? Does it resonate with you? Do you think this word could support you in achieving your goals and plans for your year?
Try it out for a few days. If you question it, stop and breathe again. You may want to review your past year to determine what worked for you and what didn't. Do you have a renewed focus or desire for this year? Is there an emotion you want to feel for the year? Are you striving for big goals?
3. Anchor it in.
Here is the fun part. Find ways to remind you of your word. Get creative. Put sticky notes up. Write with a dry erase marker or lipstick on your bathroom mirror. Make your word a screen saver or a reminder that pops up on your phone. Include it on your vision board. Put a note on your dashboard or on your visor in your car. This will help you to remember your word all year. Keep in mind you may need to move or adjust your reminders periodically as they will eventually become part of the background and you won't notice them as much.
You Got This!
Lean into your word. Allow it to support you in your vision for the year. Give yourself grace. This is just a tool to use to offer you a bit more focus.
