How to Choose Your Word of the Year

Do you sit down in December and choose a word of the year? A word that will define you and your decisions and your goals for the upcoming year?

If you don't...maybe you should.

For me, when I choose a word of the year, I try to focus on emotions, on how I want to feel in the coming months. And I think a lot of people do this as well, because the most common word of the year that is chosen is the word HAPPY.

In light of the last few years, it's not surprising that most people go with happy. I mean, who doesn't want to feel happy?

But that doesn't really get specific enough, so I'd like to challenge you to dig a little deeper. Because the whole point of choosing a word of the year, is to give yourself a lens to make decisions through. It's to point you in the direction you want to go, and give you something to focus on.

So, instead of choosing just one word, maybe choose a phrase of the year. A declaration of the year. A foot down, non-negotiable of the year. Something that evokes a guttural, hell-yeah response when you put it to paper.

For me, I'm going with: Healthy, Wealthy & Joyful.

Because I don't just want to be "happy." I want to look like one of those women in a stock photo, twirling in a field of wildflowers with the sun beating down on me. I want to feel joy so big and so real that my heart feels as if it will burst from it.

Basically, I want to feel like one of the girls in my books, lol.

So yeah, Healthy, Wealthy & Joyful.

Now that I have my phrase in place, every decision will filter through the lens of "will this make me healthy, wealthy or joyful?" And if the answer is no to all three, then I'm probably going to pass on it.

Take this with a grain of salt, obviously. I still have to pay my bills. Which, technically could still be included. Can't be healthy, wealthy or joyful if I don't pay my cable bill, my water bill or my electric bill....so yeah. I think that phrase is pretty damned good, actually.

Feel free to steal my phrase, or take some time to sit and really think about what it is you'd like to feel in the coming year. What do you want to accomplish? What direction do you want to point yourself in?

Do you want to start your own business? Try Warrior Mogul.

Do you want to write a book? Try Creatively Determined.

Remember, when you choose your word of the year, or phrase of the year, it becomes your compass. That is your North Star, guiding you toward the life you want to live.

So give it thought, take your time, and choose something that lights your soul on fire. Because next year is coming quick, and if you don't give yourself some kind of direction, you're going to get to another December and realize your word of the year ended up being REGRET.

And no one wants that.