Here are a few easy steps to help guide you in choosing your 2021 word of the year:
1. Reflect
Reflect on this past year and ask yourself these questions. Jot down whatever pops into your head without self-editing.
What could I use more of in my life?
What could I use less of in my life?
What characteristics would I like to have?
By the end of the day, I feel ________ (fill in the blank).
How do I want to feel?
Once you review your responses you’ll have a better sense of the direction you’d like to go, or what you feel may be lacking in your life.
2. Envision
Envision what the perfect day would feel like, the emphasis here is “Feel”. Think about how you want your morning routine to feel, how you want to feel at work or throughout the day, and how you want to feel right before you go to bed.
I also recommend praying about or sitting in silence for a couple minutes and asking yourself “What word do I want to focus on in 2020?”. This is simple but effective.
3. Create a List
Spend 10 minutes creating a list of the words that come to mind, no self-editing!
4. Review & Refine
Review your list and narrow down your favorites. I’d circle or highlight 3 words.
Chances are, you’ll see a theme going on between the words you wrote down. Do any of the words jump out at you, make you feel excited, nervous, scared, uncomfortable, or at ease? Sometimes the words that scare us most can mean we’re on the right track because change isn’t always easy.
Think about the words, try them on and see what feels right. No need to over analyze this process, trust your gut instead. Review your list and let the words come to you.
5. Ask Yourself this VERY important question: Are you interested, or are you committed?
If you’re merely “interested” then chances are you’ll make excuses as to why you’re not putting forth the effort to actually make changes. But if you’re “Committed” to your word, you’ll do whatever it takes to implement that word and bring more of it into your life.
What are some first stabs at your word for 2021?
