Word of the Year
why is having a word focus so powerful?
Having a word focus for the year can be a powerful and effective tool for personal development for several reasons:
Personal Growth: The act of choosing a word and reflecting on its meaning can lead to personal insights and growth. It encourages introspection and a deeper understanding of ourselves and our aspirations by considering areas of our life that need attention and improvement, fostering a continuous journey of self-discovery and development.
Flexibility: Unlike rigid resolutions, particularly around new year, a word focus offers flexibility because it can evolve with you throughout the year, adapting your goals and priorities to changing circumstances or insights, while remaining in alignment with your overarching goal (your word)
Simplicity and Clarity: A single word can distill complex ideas and intentions into something more straightforward. Instead of juggling multiple resolutions or goals, focusing on one word can provide clarity and a clear direction making it more manageable and actionable.
Guided Decision-Making: Throughout the year, having a word focus can help guide our decisions, big or small. When we are faced with choices, you can ask yourself if they align with your word of the year, making it easier to stay on track. It serves as a guiding principle giving you a sense of purpose.
Alignment with Values: If you already have a clear set of values, choosing a word that aligns with your values allows you to live with intention and integrity. It becomes a reminder to make choices that reflect your core beliefs and principles. Identifying values is an activity I often do with clients either in a Deep Dive session or on a one to one coaching journey. You can read more about my own values here.
Motivation and Inspiration: A single word can serve as your daily reminder of what you aim to achieve or embody. When faced with challenges or setbacks, or motivation wanes, that word can serve as a touchstone to rekindle enthusiasm and purpose, reigniting your focus.
Community and Accountability: Sharing your word with others can foster a sense of community and accountability. When friends, family, or colleagues know your focus, they can support you, offer encouragement, or even join you in your pursuit. Perhaps you will inspire those around you to have their own word focus for the year, causing a beautiful ripple effect.
Mental Anchoring: Having a word as a mental anchor can be grounding. In moments of stress or uncertainty, recalling your word focus can provide stability and remind you of your core intentions and values, again guiding you to make choices in alignment with your aspirations.
Positive Reinforcement: A positive and uplifting word can serve as a constant reminder of the kind of mindset and attitude you want to cultivate. This positive reinforcement can contribute to a more optimistic and resilient outlook.
Words that have resonated with me over recent years
I personally have had a word focus each year since 2021. I am sharing these so that they may inspire you to consider your own word focus.
trust
My first word focus was TRUST. As soon as someone introduced the concept of a word focus to me, I knew straight away that trust was something I needed to work on for my personal growth. Learning to trust myself ultimately led to me being able to trust others more easily. I started to listen to and honour my own needs, trusting my intuition and act on this. Do I always get it right? Nope. Do I still lack trust with some people, in some circumstances? Yes - but I now trust my instinct that I perhaps just need more time to feel comfortable or to accept the situation as it is.
AUTHENTICITY
The next year, as I built trust in myself and others, I started to realise I had not always been honest with myself or others… in terms of emotional needs and preferences in many aspects of my life. I had tended to be a bit of a “people pleaser” and so being authentic actually scared me. What if people don’t like the real me? What if upset people when I honour my own needs and put in boundaries? I learned that being authentic is actually much less effort. I learned how to express my needs more honestly and vulnerably. I learned that honouring my boundaries is a form a self care and self respect. But I also needed to learn how to respect the boundaries of others around me. I started to trust that other peoples boundaries did not necessarily mean rejection. You can read more about honouring boundaries here.
freedom
Freedom was a word that did not previously resonate for me. But it now means so many things in different areas of my life I’m passionate about. I had previously learned that “commitment is freedom” and that now with working on authenticity and trust, this had led to greater freedom to express myself and I wanted thus to evolve further into the choices I was making for myself. I also wanted to free myself from guilt and shame so that I could feel more free t love vulnerably. I was also striving towards a life of financial freedom (not necessarily in one year bit overall), so FREEDOM really resonated for me at the start of 2023. I worked on making some fairly big changes, where I sometimes felt I was less free, but then over time, because I trusted the process, I realised that I was taking one step back but two steps forward. I have ended 2023 feeling really proud of leaning into vulnerability and being able to make these choice with the bigger vision of freedom as my guiding principle.
NOURISH
My word focus for this year is NOURISH. This relates to mind and body for me in so many ways. After a year of juggling priorities, I feel clear to focus more on myself this year ahead and to build more of a routine.
I am committed to nourishing my body with good food, regular movement as well as looking after my skin, listening to my body when it needs rest, and being kind to myself physically and mentally. I need a shift in mindset around food, and what a “treat” means as well as finding fun ways to move my body.
I also want to continue learning, so will look to nourish my brain through new courses, books and experiences.
So, hopefully I have convinced you that a word focus has worked well for me at least…
In essence, a word focus serves as a simple yet powerful and profound symbol and reminder of your aspirations, providing direction, motivation, and clarity throughout the year for increased mindful living.
Has it inspired you? Do you have a word for 2024? I would love to hear from you if this blog has inspired you in any way.
If you would like to know more about coaching with me, you can read more here or get in touch to book a discovery call.
