Why You Should Choose a Word of the Year
How successful have you been with New Year’s resolutions?
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to make resolutions and goals. The new year signifies new beginnings. It is a time of fresh starts. And since most of us have over-indulged during the holidays, we are ready for big changes in the new year.
The timing is perfect and the motivation is there, so, of course, we are all going to succeed. Except we don’t! Statistics show 40-45% of Americans make resolutions and only 8% follow through with them.
So, what is the point? Year after year you make resolutions with the best of intentions and you fall short every single year. When do you get tired of all the guilt and self-depreciation? When do you burn out and stop? What happens then? Do you stop making goals and trying to better yourself altogether? That’s not the answer.
Failing doesn’t have to mean not succeeding. It can be, ‘Hey we tried that. We can go forward, smarter.’ ~Astro Teller
What if, instead of resolutions, you center your goals around a theme each year? What if you chose a word or a theme to guide your intentions and behaviors throughout the year? What if you didn’t beat yourself up each time you didn’t achieve your resolutions? What if you used that energy instead to create something positive?
Learn How a Health Coach Can Help You With Your Health Goals this Year
Why You Should Choose a Word or Theme of the Year
When you choose a word or theme of the year, you intentionally use that word or theme to guide you throughout the year. You achieve your goals by focusing on a single theme. When you clearly focus your energy on something specific, the Universe works to make it happen for you.
Last year I chose the word purge. I intentionally set to purge my house of unnecessary items, my mind of negative thought patterns, and my body of toxic chemicals. I worked really hard at it and made some great progress. Is there still more work to do? Of course there is 🙂
This year I am choosing the word lighter. I am going to continue with my purging efforts, but what I want to feel is lighter. Lighter in my body, in my mind, in my parenting, and in my environment. I am going to visualize what this feels like for me, and work really hard to make it happen this year.
By focusing on this feeling of being lighter, I am more likely to stick with the plan.
What feels better and more sustainable to you:
- I am going to give up all carbs this year.
- I am going to feel lighter by choosing foods that make my body feel good.
How To Pick Your Word of the Year
Write down all your New Year’s resolutions. Look for patterns and similarities. Choose one word or a theme that incorporates most of your goals. Be creative and have fun with it!
4 Ways to Implement Your Word of the Year
- Write it down and make it visible. Put it above your desk, in your calendar or planner, on your refrigerator, on your bathroom mirror, on your dashboard, on your night stand, wherever you will see it frequently.
- Journal about it. Journaling helps you to get clarity on your goals and why they are so important to you. Journaling activates a part of the brain that helps you come up with action steps and solutions. Journaling also deepens your thoughts. The more thought and energy you give to something, the more the Universe will work to make it happen.
- Tell someone about it. Get support and accountability. If you want to go really deep and get unmatched accountability and support, talk to a health coach.
- Make a vision board. Make a beautiful visual reminder of all your goals and dreams.
Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. ~Buddha
What will your word of the year be? How will you implement it?
Are you ready to take the next step to get crystal clear on your goals and how to achieve them? Schedule a discovery session with a certified health coach.