How to Set an Intention and Achieve Focus and Clarity
Have you ever heard of a “word for the year”? It's a concept that's been gaining popularity in recent years as a way to set an intention for the coming year.
A word for the year is a single word that serves as a guiding principle for your goals, decisions, and actions. It's a powerful tool for achieving clarity, focus, and motivation.
Let's talk about the benefits of choosing your word. As a bonus, I'll also provide tips for how to do it effectively.
Why a Word for the Year?
For starters it can help you set a clear intention for the coming 12 months. It can be a reminder of what you want to focus on and what you want to achieve. It can also serve as a filter for decision-making, helping you to align your choices with your core values.
Your word can also provide a sense of accountability. When you choose your word, you are making a commitment to yourself to focus on that word throughout the year. It's a reminder to take action and make progress towards your goals.
How to choose your Word for the Year
Choosing your word for the year can be a powerful and rewarding process, but it can also be a bit daunting.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the right word for you:
- Reflect on the past year. Take some time to reflect on the past year and what you want to leave behind. What were your successes and failures? What did you learn? What do you want to change?
- Think about your goals for the coming year. Consider what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. What are your personal and professional goals? What do you want to focus on?
- Consider your values. Think about what's most important to you and what you want to be known for. What are your core values?
- Make a list of words. Once you've reflected on the past year and thought about your goals and values, make a list of words that resonate with you.
- Choose one word. From your list of words, choose the one that feels the most meaningful to you. It should be a word that resonates with your goals, values, and intentions for the coming year.
Using Your Word
Once you've chosen your word, it's important to put it into action. Here are a few ways to use your word to guide your decisions and actions:
- Make it visible. Write your word on a sticky note and put it somewhere where you'll see it every day.
- Use it as a filter. Use your word as a filter for decision-making. When faced with a decision, ask yourself, “Does this align with my word for the year?”
- Incorporate it into your goals. Use your word as a guiding principle for setting and achieving your goals for the coming year.
- Reflect on it regularly. Take time to reflect on your word for the year and how it's guiding your decisions and actions.
Choosing a word for the year can be a powerful tool for setting an intention and achieving clarity and focus. It can serve as a reminder of what you want to focus on and what you want to achieve.
Your word for the year can also provide a sense of accountability and help you align your choices with your core values.
By following the tips provided here, you can choose a word for the year that resonates with you and use it to guide your decisions and actions throughout the coming year.
Try setting yourself (or your team!) up with a ‘word for the year'. You may be surprised at how much further it takes you!
PS: My word of the year for 2023 is AWESOME! I'm going to do awesome marketing things for my awesome clients, contribute to our awesome community, and Starfish Marketing is going to have an awesome year, as am I!
