Happy Holidays Everyone!

Good-bye 2018! It’s time to celebrate, we all made it. For some of you reading this, the year was smooth sailings, for others it was bumpy roads. Whichever path the year took for you, don’t forget to stop and give thanks to God that you are where you’re at today. Even if you are feeling angry, scared, or hopeless, trust that you being alive means there is the opportunity to move forward knowing circumstances can change for the better. Maybe not right away, but at some point in the future.

If you had an amazing year, a good year, a great year, be thankful to God and those who helped you out. What I wrote to those who had a less than stellar year applies to you as well. Circumstances can change, so cherish the good moments, keep those you love close, take care of yourself, and be kind to those you cross paths with.

Several years ago I gave up on making new years resolutions. I made the switch to choosing one word to focus on instead of trying to remember the long list of resolutions that were created with good intentions and wishful thinking.

Choosing one word to help guide you through the year is much more manageable and meaningful than a resolution made during winter holidays when you are in a good mood, upbeat, and unrealistic.

Ray Lopez reminds us, “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.”

Before you begin to work on choosing your one word for 2019, keep in mind what Lopez says about self-knowledge, “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.”

Some Questions to Ask and Define Yourself

What is your name? ( Seems like a silly question, but I start with this one as a way to clearly remind people that this is about you and no one else. We aren’t here to change and develop others, only our self.)

In one sentence, who are you?

In your own life, what is worth the struggle/pain/sweat equity?

What do you avoid in life?

List some things you often take for granted?

What’s something that you used to fear, but no longer do?

What are things you look forward to?

What have you been telling yourself lately? Is this something you need to keep telling yourself or should you stop? If you stop telling yourself this, is there something else you could be telling yourself instead?

What are some of the hard things that you know you have to do in 2019? What are some hard/challenging things that would be beneficial for you to do in 2019?

Are there things or persons you are worried about as you enter the new year?

Are you intentional with you time? If not, what are some ways you can become more intentional with your time and as a result, more intentional with your life?

What are some things and persons/groups you need to say “yes” to this year? What are some things you need to say “no” to?

Do you… ?

Love yourself

Respect yourself

Take care of yourself

Put yourself first (not to be confused with being selfish)

Your One Word is something that you will be cultivating throughout 2019. You’ll grow into your word as you live it, reflect on it, and learn from it.

Write or type out a bunch of different words (writing is better and don’t worry about spelling).  These words are characteristics you might want to work on or develop, words that will help or encourage you to reach a specific goal, or a word associated with whatever God has laid on your heart and you have yet to discover why. Remember this word is going to be a part of your life for most or all of the year.

Choosing a word doesn’t need to be stressful. It may not come to you in one sitting, it might take days or weeks, there is no urgency. This exercise is meant to empower you instead of discouraging you.

Review your list and circle some of the words or themes that stood out for you. Do any of these words and themes seem connected to any current or upcoming goals, projects, circumstances, or major events in your life? Narrow down your list by focusing on these words and themes.

Reflect and pray over your list. Ask for wisdom in choosing your word based only on you and your own life. No one else gets to select your word, you are the only one living your life. This is also the reason it is important to not consult others for help in choosing your One Word; the only one you need to consult with is God, he’s got your back.

 

One Word Resources at Other Websites

One Word 365 Choosing Your One Word

My One Word

Elizabeth Steere on Choosing her One Word

Book Journey My One Word for 2019