With the end of 2018 just days away, you want to know that your one word for next year is going to keep you focused, be transformative, and act as a compass throughout 2019. You want to know the word will work, that it will be just the thing you need to remind you of what you want your life to look like.
That is not a small achievement.
With close to 200,000 words in the English language, trying to find that singularly perfect combination of letters to transform who you are throughout the year can be a bit overwhelming.
Does the focus need to be on my work or my home life?
Am I more concerned with my close relationships or my place in society?
Should my word be all-encompassing or dialed into just one aspect of who I am?
How is one word going to sum up my hopes for 2019?
I get it.
Choosing your word for the year is a challenge. But it could be as simple as knowing where to start, and there are a few things everyone can do to zero in on their perfect word.
Some of the most effective people I know, whether it’s in business or relationships or life in general, are also some of the most self-aware people I have come across. It’s hard to distill our goals into one word if we don’t understand ourselves… I mean really know ourselves.
Self-awareness isn’t usually easy, and it can expose things about ourselves that may be difficult to embrace. But unless we have a sense of what motivates us and how past events affect present choices, it’s difficult to understand how to move forward.
There are many great resources for deeper levels of self-awareness. Find one that works for you and give yourself to that process.
On a recent podcast I listened to, the host challenged listeners to find someone they trust and ask them, “What do I need to know about myself that I don’t already know, but should know?”
Most of us have two or three really close friends, people who know us almost better than we know ourselves. They’re the ones who have permission to tell us all the stuff we don’t let anyone else tell us. Conversations with trusted companions is a great way to identify a blind spot or an area that may need attention, and to jumpstart your thinking about your one word.
These kinds of personal exercises can cause us to get too much into our own heads. We put pressure on ourselves and can turn this into a performance-based endeavor, leaving us feeling guilty if we can’t arrive at a decision. Especially during this season, be kind to yourself.
If January 1, 2019, arrives and you haven’t yet decided what your word is, it’s okay. No one is going to hunt you down and demand to know why you haven’t made a decision. The worst thing you can do is force yourself into something you aren’t ready for just yet. Give yourself the heart and headspace you need and let this process unfold naturally.
Never forget your word is meant to be transformative. It is a guide for the next part of your life’s journey as you continue moving toward who you are meant to be.
When you do choose your word, we would love to know what your experience is like. Please consider staying connected with us through this site and in our Facebook group. Hearing each other’s stories keeps us motivated and helps us realize we’re not alone.
Rey Lopez is a native of San Antonio, Texas, and is the father of two kids, Ruben and Elena. After spending more than twenty years in local churches as a youth worker and digital media director, he now works as a freelance writer and marketing consultant. He’s a Disney nerd, a film buff, and a lover of great conversation, people, and wine… not necessarily in that order. He keeps his own blog at thisisreylo.com and you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.