One Word Goals
A word that sums up how you’d like to live, love and work in 2023.
A word that could act as a compass.
A word that motivates
What would your one-word goal be?
Resolution Time: Although we don’t need the New Year to make changes in our lives, it does provide a natural space to reflect and it’s here we can start to understand what your word could be. Resolutions for some are motivating and empowering, enabling consistent choices and action in reaching a goal to be made. For others, their relationship with resolutions is more challenging and diminishing. Instead of a SMART goal this year, how would it be if you chose a single word to act as a guiding light for the year ahead? A word that would nudge you and remind you of how you want to live and work in 2023?
Here’s how to find that precious word;
Consider your accomplishments - The moments you felt pride and great satisfaction, what allowed and empowered you to make this happen in 2022?
For me personally, determination, and direction enabled me to gain accreditation and become a qualified Systemic Team Coach Practitioner in 2022. Determination is both my strength and my weakness; it provides energy for consistency, but has a shadow side; my determination is an ever-beating drum that keeps me striving for more and doesn’t let me rest. Why? Because my inner critic says I am not as good as others. Direction is something I consistently have, it's almost innate. Therefore, I am looking for words that could support determination and direction. Initially words that emerged centred around “less trying” and “less-hustling”. As I explored what these words meant I was drawn to words such as ‘natural-rhythm’, ‘well-grounded’ and ‘compassion’.
Reflect on what you would like to be different: A further consideration is what you’d change about 2022? I encourage compassion here because it’s easy to judge ourselves with unkindness, be critical and generally punish ourselves for not being something we assumed we ‘should’ be.
‘Urgency’ was how a client described 2022 and a disconnectedness at times from the drive that makes them pack more and more into each day, resulting in depleted energy. ‘Patience’ was the word initially considered, but then evolved to words such as ‘slow-flow’, ‘fluency’, ‘ease’, and ‘gliding’. What these all describe are a state of being that they like to experience, where patience would naturally be an outcome.
Desire for future: Here, consider words that reflect the spirit of what you’re looking forward to in the New Year.
‘Liberation’ was a strong word used by a client recently; it was a desire to disconnect from the unnecessary, and connect with what was important to them. ‘Liberation’ was an intention to become more aware of the choices they make, how they prioritise their time and energy, and reinvest personal energy into other areas of life; “I am like a second Mum to my team since COVID…they now need to fly the nest”.
Find the One: What words are now emerging for you? You may discover you have multiple words. Here are a few ways to strike some off the list;
What words have similar meanings or overlap?
What words are more functional and less emotive… will functional really motivate you on a dark morning in February?
Write the words down - which write well and which are more clunky?
What words encourage you in your list?
What words create a pathway for you, and provide a natural direction?
What words do you connect with?
Now, just sit with the words you have left, which does your instinct say is the one?
Reminders: What can you do to bring this word into your daily conciseness throughout the year?
Reminder next to your bed; it’s what you see each morning
Post-it notes on the bathroom mirror; reflect on the word whilst brushing your teeth
Phone / laptop screen saver - a reminder throughout the day
Artwork that reflects the word
Jewellery; yes, wear the word if you think it will help
Mediation or yoga intention; this can form part of your practice habits
Work diary - each morning starts with… your one word goal
My word for 2022 was ‘yes’, and I have thrown myself into things throughout the year. For 2023, I intend to pull back and connect to: ‘effortlessly’.
Here are some inspirational words as a potential guide to help you find that word that will energise your 2023:
Accept
Authentic
Balance
Be
Brave
Commit
Connection
Dream
Drive
Emerge
Empower
Expand
Flow
Focus
Freedom
Gratitude
Growth
Harmony
Humility
Hustle
Improve
Inspire
Imagine
Less
Listen
Love
Mindful
No
Nourish
Possibility
Present
Purpose
Reflect
Renew
Represent
Resilience
Seek
Self-Care
Self-Worth
Service-of
Simplify
Strive
Thrive
Transform
Trust
Try
Visible
Whole
Wonder
Yes
