As we wrap up 2022, many of us are in ‘review’ mode.
How did the year go? What did we achieve? What could have been better?
The next step is the planning mode. What can we do this year? What are the tasks we can accomplish in 2023 and what are the plans to achieve them?
As you think about the plans for next year, I would like to introduce you to the concept of “Word for the Year”
What is the Word for the Year?
Quite simply, it’s a word you choose and commit to live by throughout the year.
For instance, my word for the year in 2022 was COURAGE.
I get to define courage and what the word means to me.
For me, COURAGE is not only absence of fear.
COURAGE to me is standing up for what I believe in.
COURAGE to me means saying the right things and sometimes, remaining silent.
Throughout 2022, COURAGE to me also meant moving out of my comfort zone, doing things that were new to me. Things I had not done before. For example, traveling alone, half way across the world.
Overall, I got through this last year far more confidently because I knew that I had to follow through on my word of the year.
Your Word of the Year
You can obviously choose any word as your word of the year. It could be LOVE, JOY, HAPPINESS, DISCIPLINE, HUMILITY, SERVICE, TRAVEL, HEALTH, LEARNING.
There really are no rules. You choose a word based on a quality you want to inculcate in yourself. Or you may choose a word based on a habit you want to develop. Your word may also be based on a life area you want to improve in 2023.
Here is an exercise. Start alphabetically. and pick a word that resonates with you from each letter. In some letters, you may come up with more than one word. In some cases, you may not come with any. That’s fine.
Once your have some words, review them and identify the 3 that are most important for you in 2023. and from this list of 3, zero in on your WORD of the year.
How to Work with your WORD of the Year
You have chosen your word of the year based on certain goals you want to achieve.
The idea to adhere to your word of the year every single day for the entire year. And you will notice that following this principle helps you make decisions more easily.
Read on to see how exactly to put your Word of the Year into Action
Your Word of the Year in Action
1.Take Actions in Alignment with your Word of the Year
This very simple action ensures that you remain on the path to achieve your goals. This is because you have chosen your Word of the Year based on the goals you want to achieve.
For example, if you have chosen ‘DISCIPLINE’ as your word of the year, every time, you are tempted to slip back deeper into the covers, instead of going for that run, your word of the year will push you to wake up and be disciplined.
And there you have it, you have inched closer to your physical fitness goal.
2. Make Decisions in Alignment with your Word of the Year
All of us struggle with decision making at one time or another.
Should I take this trip or save money for a rainy day? Should I decline the social invitation because I know would not enjoy myself at the party or go just to be seen at the evet though I will be miserable?
At varying points in our life, we have different priorities.
If in this season of your life, you have prioritized travel and TRAVEL is your word of the year, it just becomes easier for your to take a decision. Likewise, if your word of the year is SELF-LOVE, TIME (in the context of being in control of how you spend your time), the second decision just became easy
But it is possible that in 2024, your life circumstances change, (Maybe you have become a new parent) and MONEY or SAVINGS is your word of the year. At the time, your decision would be different.
Having a Word of the Year can help you make decisions more effectively and efficiently, saving you loads of time.
3. Word of the Year to Deepen your Relationships
So so often, we take the people we love for grated. We need a constant reminder of why they are important to us. This will remind us to put in the effort the relationship deserves.
Viewing your relationships and working on them through the lens of your word of the year can be a game changer for your relationship.
The Term of your Word of the Year
It is the Word of the Year. So, its term is one year. Come 31st of December 2023, you will identify a new word for 2024.
As you review 2023, and how the Word of the Year in 2023 shaped you, it really would be worth the effort.
To available a future benefit, the work has to be put in now.
I am excited to live my Word of the year for 2023. What about you.
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