Word of the Year-My Process
Do you pick a word of the year? Picking a word of the year can seem like a daunting, overwhelming, task but it’s really not. I go through a short process when I pick mine. It does take a little time and presence of mind but, over all, it’s very easy.
Word of the Year Presence of Mind
To start my process I intentionally focus my quiet times, and personal think time on what could possibly be my word. I slow down, leave blocks of time open in my schedule, and spend much more time in prayer. I spend time thinking about what I should focus on over the next year.
My favorite week of the year is a wonderful time to give fully to this process. I often journal, read, and think through what I’m currently learning, which leads to the next simple step.
Reflect Backward and Dream Forward
I think back to main lessons, challenges, and victories of the past year. I look at them and turn’em around in my mind and heart a bit as I take a posture of gratitude and thanksgiving for what I’ve learned over the past 12 months.
Then, once this portion feels complete (and it can take days) I start to pivot my thinking forward to the next 12 months. I ask msyelf:
- What lessons do I need more time with?
- Am I still learning something?
- What do I want to deepen my understanding in?
- Do I need to focus my attitude, spirituality, faith, heart, and mind in a certain area?
- Do I have an overwhelming sense that this next year will have a theme?
Alone Time
During this portion of the process I find myself seeking more alone time than is typical for my temperament. I go on solo hikes, wake up early and sit in the quiet next to the Christmas tree to just linger. This reflecting backward and dreaming forward portion can take weeks, I don’t rush it. I let myself sit and stay in it for as long as it takes. I stay sensitive to what my word may be and I genuinely work to focus my mind on what is next in my journey.
Feeling Grounded
The funny thing is as soon as I start this process I typically, right at the beginning, have a sense for what my word should be. So the process altogether is also about confirming the word and feeling grounded in it. So while within the first few days I typically think I know what my word will be, I spend a significant portion of time confirming the it.
Because 12 months with one word of focus is a long time, so savor the process when selecting it. Don’t rush it, stay in the slow moments and enter into the next twelve months armed with an assurance that your Word of the Year is right for you.
One more word of encouragement on the selection process. There are no rules for how long it should take or if there is a deadline for picking one. My own personal rule is select a word by the end of January.
Write it Down & Revisit Your Word of the Year
Once my word is firmly selected I find the definition of the word that most connects to my vision for the next year. I often use the word in my yearly mission statement as well. I will place a small note, sticky, or print out of the word in an obvious place where I will see it often throughout the coming year. This aspect helps me revisit the word, continue to work with it, manipulate it and let the work I’m doing permeate my soul and life.
I’ll also try to do research around the word as well. Doing so, gives the process depth, meaning, and function. So regardless of the grammatical foundation of the word, it ultimately becomes a verb in my life.
My Word of the Year
As I said, my word was pretty clear out of the gate for me. As it usually is. My word of the year is:
Wholehearted
Webster defines wholehearted as:
Completely and sincerely devoted, determined, or enthusiastic.
The word itself came to the forefront of my thinking as I was reading and studying Brene’ Brown’s work and research over the last several weeks. I adore her definition and reading her meaning solidified wholehearted as my word of the year.
She defines people who live wholeheartedly this way:
They’re just living and loving fully. Then I thought, there’s nothing half-hearted about these folks. They feel the dark emotions wholeheartedly, they feel joy wholeheartedly. So then I came up with Wholehearted.
Brene’ Brown Quoted from this article
Living and loving fully. In every sense, I’ve been re-introduced to those words lately and I know pressing into this concept, word, and idea will be a focus for me in 2022.
Why you should try a Word of the Year
If you’ve never tried a word of the year, this may be a great time to give it a shot. I have found that focusing my year on the theme of a single word allows me to be more present through the weeks, months, challenges, and joys the year brings. It helps me make the days count, rather than just count the days (as the adage goes). And I find it gives meaning, thoughtfulness, intention, and a groundedness to all the roles I hold in my life. If you’ve ever written a resolution for the year a word of the year is really similar.
It’s quite possibly one of the best choices I’ve made for my own personal and spiritual growth in years.
So what do you think? Will you try it? Tell me in the comments below, let me know your word of the year, I’d love to cheer you on!
With hope for you and your intentional life and home,
