Picking a Word of the Year has become more popular over the past few years. The idea of picking a Word of the Year has resonated with many and for good reason. There are many benefits to choosing a Word of the Year. Have you thought about picking a one for yourself to help you define the kind of year you want to have? If so, read on to learn about the benefits of choosing a Word of the Year and how to choose the right word for you.
The benefits of choosing a Word of the Year
Choosing a Word of the Year can be a powerful tool for setting intentions, focusing your attention, and setting yourself up for success. By selecting a word that encapsulates your aspirations or goals, you can create a sense of purpose that guides your thoughts and actions throughout the year. This can be especially useful if you are looking to make changes in your life or achieve specific goals.
A meaningful Word of the Year can…
- give you something to work towards
- motivate you
- give you something to look forward to
- be a reminder to stay the course
- bring clarity
- align your goals
- give you hope as to how your year is going to look
- help you to stay focused
- help you to stay grounded in what you truly want
- help you define the kind of year you want to have
- help inspire you to stick with your goal for the year
How to choose a Word of the Year
Let’s face it, picking a word to focus on for the year can be a daunting task. You can’t just pick any old word and expect your life to magically improve. You have to choose something that is going to have an impact on your life, or at least help inspire you to create positive changes. You will want your word to encompass encouragement, growth, and inspiration.
Here are some suggestions on how to come up with a meaningful word for your Word of the Year. Sit down, relax in a calming space, and take some time to reflect. You can journal or just ponder.
- Reflect on your past year. Think about…
- the challenges you faced.
- the things you accomplished.
- the lessons you learned.
- Consider which words best encapsulate the themes that emerged from your experiences.
- What worked for you this past year?
- What didn’t work for you this past year?
- What do you want to accomplish this year?
- How do you want your day to day to look?
- How do you want your year to look?
- How do you want to feel?
- How can you live more aligned in your desires and goals?
- What kind of person do you want to be?
- What do you want to bring with you into the new year and what do you want to leave behind?
- Write down 3-5 of your goals for this year.
- Write down a list of traits and qualities that are important to you
- Make a list of words that resonate with you.
- Review the list and circle 3 that stick out to you.
Word of the Year ideas:
- abundance
- authentic
- balance
- believe
- bloom
- boundaries
- calm
- compassion
- create
- cultivate
- empowered
- energized
- energy
- explore
- focus
- fruition
- fun
- generosity
- gratitude
- grounded
- grow
- heal
- hope
- imagine
- inspire
- love
- mindful
- peace
- self-love
- shine
- strength
- thrive
- travel
- trust
- worthy
- wealth
Once you have your word, you can use it as a touchstone throughout the year to remind you of your intentions and focus your energy. Some people like to display their word in a prominent place as a reminder, while others like to incorporate it into their daily routines or practices.
The word you choose is a personal choice. Take your time picking a word and spend some time pondering its deeper meanings. Words can be powerful motivators if they reflect our true values, so don’t settle on a word or pressure yourself to choose one. Take some time to really engage with it and make sure it’s right for you. Once you do, your word will help you to stay grounded in your goals or beliefs and inspire and motivate you.