Inside: I reveal my one word for the year plus download your guide to choose your own word for the year!

Learn about my one word for the year. You can also download a simple guide to choose your own word! #goalsetting #oneword

Did you choose your word for the upcoming year yet?

It’s the start of another year and the Internet and social media are teeming with talk about goals and resolutions.

Research shows about half of all adults set New Year’s resolutions.  However, less than 10% actually follow through for more than 2 months.

If you go to the gym to work out you know how it’s packed at the start of the year?  You know you just need to wait it out 6-8 weeks and it will be back to normal again.  This is because people have great intentions at the start of the year, but have difficulty following through.

This year, rather than setting lofty resolutions for myself, I am choosing one word to focus on, to think about, to get to know this year.

Just one word!

That may not seem like much, but one of the reasons I have trouble following through on my own resolutions is because I pick too many!

I do plan to develop goals for the year, but I will try to think about them in relationship to my one word for the year.  I will use my one word as a guide to steer me as I navigate what lies ahead this year.

Choosing a word for the year is not a new concept by any means.  In fact, I was always hesitant to pick just one word because I thought it would pigeon hole me into something I didn’t resonate with after the first few weeks.  But I learned from Ali that you can pick a word with many different facets and think of the many different ways you can apply the word to your life.  And I love that flexibility!

Learn about my one word for the year. You can also download a simple guide to choose your own word! #goalsetting #oneword

My one word for the year

This year I chose the word BREATHE.

“Breath is the finest gift of nature. Be grateful for this wonderful gift.”
― Amit Ray, Beautify your Breath – Beautify your Life

This past year I experienced many stressful situations, both positive and negative.  And when I am faced with stressful situations I noticed that I tend to hold my breath!  This usually doesn’t help the situation!

Focusing on breathing seemed like the perfect fit for my first year of choosing just one word!

A curious mindset

One of the things I love about choosing one word for the year is the chance to approach the word with curiosity.

How can I apply this word to my life?

What aspects of the word resonate with me?

How can I embrace this word more fully?

Some of my favorite definitions of the word BREATHE

  • to take air, oxygen, etc., into the lungs and expel it; inhale and exhale; respire.
  • (in speech) to control the outgoing breath in producing voice and speech sounds.
  • to pause, as for breath; take rest.
  • to move gently or blow lightly, as air.
  • to live; exist.
  • to allow to rest or recover breath.
  • to deprive of breath; tire; exhaust.
  • to cause to pant; exercise.

Areas I want to consider

With those definitions in mind, there are areas I want to unpack and explore this year.  Some of these areas include:

  • Exercise – how can I incorporate more physical activity into my life?
  • Yoga – regularly practice yoga and carry over the breathing into my daily life.
  • Meditation / mindfulness – learn different breathing methods and regularly practice mindfulness throughout my day.
  • Stress reduction – notice when I am holding my breath and learn ways to minimize stress with my breathing.
  • Relaxation – How can I relax more and focus on the breath?
  • Slowing down – How can I slow down?  Say no more?  Not add more to my plate?
  • Living – breathing is the ultimate form of life!  Am I living my life in an intentional way?
  • Speech – am I living intentionally through my words?  Am I saying kind words to my family and those around me?  Am I taking a breath before responding in a negative way?
  • Decluttering – how can I make space in my home for a little more breathing room?

This one little word has many different definitions and contexts and I love that!

How to choose one word for the year

-> Download your free guide now! This short guide walks you through how to choose your word with questions to ponder. There is also a list of several example words to get your creative juices flowing.

Points to Remember

  • It’s ok to pivot.  If you are really not resonating with your initial word, change it!  Even if it’s July, pick something that will encourage you to grow and develop!
  • It’s ok to make a slow change or a super fast change.  It’s up to you how the change happens.  Just let it happen naturally!
  • Each story and each person is different.  Don’t compare your word or your progress to others.  You are unique and even if you have the same word as your neighbor, how you apply the word to your life will be unique to you.
  • It’s ok to have a clear initial course of action and it’s ok to not know what to do next.  The point is to put in the work and you will see progress and positive development.
  • You are picking a word for a year, not for life!  It’s only 12 months and then it’s time for a new year!

“It is a common belief that we breathe with our lungs alone, but in point of fact, the work of breathing is done by the whole body…Proper breathing involves the muscles of the head, neck, thorax, and abdomen.”
― Alexander Lowen, The Voice of the Body

This year I will learn what it looks and feels like to not hold my breath.  This year I will breathe!

Learn more about one word for the year

Book: One Word That Will Change Your Life

Workshop: One Little Word from Ali Edwards

Podcast: On One Little Word for 2018 from Elise Gets Crafty

Pinterest Board: My Goal Setting Pinterest board has several posts about choosing a word for the year.

My 2019 Word for the Year: Focus

What one word did you pick to guide you through 2018?

Grab your FREE guide to choose your word.  And then share your one word for the year in the comments below!

Learn about my one word for the year. You can also download a simple guide to choose your own word! #goalsetting #oneword

*Note: some of the links in this post are affiliate links.

Photos by NordWood Themes, Haley Powers and Carolyn V on Unsplash.

Learn about my one word for the year. You can also download a simple guide to choose your own word! #goalsetting #oneword

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