How to select your Word of the Year

I love selecting a Word of the Year. It feels very different from crossing a goal off my list. It is an intention, a mantra to guide my daily actions and become a better version of myself.

It takes me several days or a week to select a word. You might have one knocking you on the head. I have never had one come that easily. If you haven’t either or you have never selected a word and would like to give it a try, these are the steps I take.

1. You can start this process by asking yourself a few questions. What do you want more or less of this year? Last year I dedicated a lot of time and money to training. I would rather be teaching so this was a bit of a challenge for me. Sometimes training felt slow and other times it was overwhelming. No matter what, I’m ready to teach and train this year.

2. Once you reflect on the previous year, be still and dream. What do you want your year to look like? How do you want to show up each day? Be still and allow words to come to you. As words flow by, jot them down. Make a list. Here are some words as examples:

Change  *  Ease  *  Organize   *   Minimalist   *   Love   *   Balance   *  Grateful   *   Simplify  *   Prosper   *   Dream   *   Reset   *  Bloom   *   Surrender   *   Confidence   *   Active   *   Inspire  *   Hope   *   Serenity   *   Commitment   *   Thrive   *   Power   *   Mindful   *   Clarity   *   Elevate  *   Embrace   *   Lead   *   Cleansing   *   Play   *   Magnetic   *   Self-Compassion   *   Intentional  *  Believe   *   Peace   *   Clarity   *   Renew   *   Joy   *   Thrive   *   Grow   *   Pause

And I have to include some of my Favorite F Words: 

Fun   *   Freedom   *   Fearless   *   Focus   *   Family   *   Fit   *   Feel   *   Faith   *   Forgive  *  Flourish   *   Forward   *   Fierce

These are just a few examples to help you get started.

3. Review your list and circle maybe three words that resonate with you the most. Maybe one or two of the words jump out at you. Did you write down a word that scares you? Maybe you need that word the most.

4. I once read where John Assaraf was asked “Are you interested, or are you committed”? If you are just interested in this word, you will make excuses as to why you don’t embrace it and make changes. But if you are committed to this word, you do whatever it takes to implement that word and bring more of it into your life.

5. Sleep on it. Make sure you are committed to this word.
Once you decide on a word – or two – write it down where you can see it every day.

Here’s to our best year ever!