Each year, I choose a word for the year to set the tone and guide my decisions throughout the year. The process of picking the word can be just as fun as implementing the word.
What was the overall energy of last year? What do you want to bring into this year? What do you want to leave behind? What new energy do you want to manifest this year?
How have the previous year’s words worked out? Which ones did you like, not like, or feel indifferent to? What can you learn from the past years’ words?
I like to use some of the brainstorming tools that I use in my brand strategy and brand naming work. An online dictionary and thesaurus are really helpful as well as some of these more specialized tools:
The act of writing down words, circling them, and crossing them out can spark ideas. The word starts to reveal itself serendiptiously.
Wait a few days and see what feels right. It’s OK if some years’ words take longer than others to reveal themself. It’s also useful to ask others for feedback if you feel comfortable sharing (I keep it to myself until I decide so others’ opinions do not sway me!)
My 2024 Word for the Year
Once you’ve chosen your word, start to apply your word to aspects of your life. Here are a few ideas:
And make sure to keep a copy of your word brainstorm list. It’s a good inspiration for future word ideas.
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