How To Choose a Word of the year And Why You Should

Hello, friends! 

With the new year well on its way already, I've been thinking a lot about goals, plans, themes and more for the upcoming months. Being 2020, I feel like there's not only the pressure of a new year but also the new decade hanging over us. There are so many expectations (whether set by ourselves or by others/society) that it can overshadow the everyday. 

Because let's talk about that. We can look at things in view of the whole year (and that can be helpful at times), but sometimes, we lose focus. Every year is made up of months, which are made up of weeks, which are made up of... that's right, days. Every little insignificant day turns into 30 and then turns into  365, and then you've got a whole year right there. Little moments matter, and too often, we forget the smaller, important things because we're focusing too hard on the big picture. 

​Let's face it. We're not going to magically reach our goals just because we say it's our goal for the year.  It's the daily actions that build our progress towards the end results.  And if we don't focus on the everyday, we'll find ourselves twelve months from now wondering how come we haven't made it to where we wanted. Dissatisfaction brews, and suddenly, the atmosphere changes from a positive learning and growing experience into regret and negativity. ​

   We're not going to magically reach our goals just because we say it's our goal for the year. It's the daily actions that build our progress towards the end results.

Goal setting is important, I think we can all agree. But not everything can be measured in goals. Self-development, spiritual journeys, and attitudes aren't something you can just pin a label on and then check off boxes till you get to your desired result. So how do we cultivate a daily focus for things that just aren't concrete enough for typical goal setting? 

Enter my favorite technique: A Word of the Year. I've been doing this for five years now. And it's super easy to implement. 

1. It starts with self-reflection. It's time to just sit down and think over your past year. What areas did you grow in? What aspects of your life didn't have the quality you would hope for? And what things in your personal development are lacking? Think ahead to what you want your future year to look like, and then let yourself naturally choose a word that fits those feelings. The first year I did this, I chose the word BOLD. I was struggling with fear of failure, insecurities, and trying to fit the mold others put up just so people would like me. It wasn't healthy, it was crippling me from being who God wanted me to be, and I was tired of it. I wanted to break free from the chains I was wrapping around myself, and I wanted to become who I was meant to be. So I claimed it as my word for the year.
2. Sometimes, you have thoughts on things, but you can't think of the right word to fit it all. That's when you can start researching. Using the internet, the dictionary, your Bible, or even blog articles and books, start paying attention to what words jump out at you and resonate with your heart. Think about the themes of the things you've read that really touched your soul, or the feelings you got when you think about growth, progress, your life, and yourself. Write down every word that comes to your mind, and think on them and their meanings. Ask God to direct your thoughts towards things He is trying to tell you. I know this sounds heavy and boring, but it's actually not! Relax and just enjoy the process. 
3. The next step, once you decide on your word, is to really dig deep into what it means. Not only linguistically, but what sort of meaning it holds to you. I like to take the time to mind map on paper all the words, thoughts, feelings, and so on that I connect with my word. One year I chose the word LOVE, and I mind mapped to end up covering topics like Selflessness, Acts of Kindness, loving your enemies, loving who God designed you to be, and so on. This is when you can search the Scriptures and start pulling up potential Bible study topics, and more.
4. Flowing naturally from that process, I like to write down a list of areas I can apply my Word of the Year to my Bible studies, and to my life. It's also helpful to start collecting Bible verses to encourage you and that are representative of your chosen word. I like to put the word of the year written where I can see it every day, along with Bible verses, quotes, and more. 
5. Here comes some fun! Time to make mood boards. It can be done on Pinterest or on paper, depending on your preference. I use this as a time to collect quotes, images that are either symbolic or just match my feelings about the topic, verses, journal prompts, lettering and artwork, and honestly whatever you like. Here is mine! 
6. The following year, put that word, moodboard, verses and so on where it will be visible. Dig deep and be open as you learn throughout the year. I have discovered that often when I choose a certain word, I will end up in situations that stretch me in that area and I do a lot of growing! 

1. Take time for self-reflection
2. Research your ideas
3. Dig deep into your topic
4. Write down Bible study ideas and real-life applications
5. Create a mood board with photos, art, verses, quotes, journal prompts and more
6. Make your word and mood board visible throughout the year

 This year, I chose the word GLOW . I want to rediscover the glow in the everyday, to find God's light showing more and more in my heart, to be alive and joyful again, to treat every day as special as I ought, to love hard and to shine bright.

​ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

If you'd like a closer look, you can check out my Pinterest mood board here! I also created a smaller look-book for a little teaser. 

I'd love to know your thoughts on this. Have you ever done a word of the year before? How do you go about your process of choosing a word? If you do have a theme for the year, what is it and why did you choose it? Let me know in the comments below!