Having a word for the year is a trend that seems to be catching on.
But what’s the point? How does choosing a word serve us?
Allow me to explain from a mindset perspective.
Our brains do what we tell them to do, and we tell them with words.
They will work on default if we don’t tell them what to do.
This is usually not a good idea because most of us have negative default settings.
Negativity is normal. It’s just how our brains look for danger and help us survive.
Our default brain focuses on what we don’t want.
But if we want to go beyond survival, be intentional, and create a life we love, we need to tell our brain exactly what to do - with words.
An essential part of that process is knowing WHY we want our brains to do something.
Our word is our WHY.
Our word helps us focus on what we want.
Our word helps us make decisions based on what we want and what serves us.
Every decision I make revolves around my word.
It helps me stay on track.
It trains my brain to think the way I want it to.
For example:
My word this year is simplify.
Why? Because I tend to make things complicated in my mind.
I overthink and overcomplicate.
It could be anything from making a phone call to learning new technology.
And when something feels hard, I avoid it and procrastinate.
If and when I finally force myself to do what I think is hard, I almost always discover it wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought.
But in the meantime, I spend a lot of time and mental energy procrastinating and feeling bad about procrastinating, which makes me procrastinate even more and ultimately keeps me stuck.
It’s a perfect example of my brain working against me instead of for me.
The goal of mindset is always to get your brain to work for you.
I have a lot I want to accomplish this year, and I want to achieve it through peace and ease, not force.
So I will notice when something feels hard, and I will use my word by asking,
How can I make this simple?
Instead of instructing my brain to be stuck in procrastination by telling it something is hard, I am giving it something to work with.
Then the program starts running, and solutions start coming to me.
As I make decisions about time, money, relationships, work, home, and even fun, I will choose my thoughts, feelings, and actions based on my word.
Here are a few mindset tips for choosing and using your word.
Choose a word based on what you want.
Choose a word that aligns with your core values.
Choose a word that feels good and feels possible.
Feeling good allows your brain to work for you and not against you.
When you think of your word, it should feel open, expansive, light, and energetic.
Those feelings are chemicals telling your brain you’re safe and okay to go for it.
Don’t use your words against yourself.
They shouldn’t feel harsh, critical, or punishing.
Apply your word to all areas of your life—business/career, relationships, finances, health and wellness, and home life.
The way we do one thing is the way we do everything.
You are becoming the person who embodies your word.
Remind yourself every day of your word from a place of peace and ease, and It will guide and direct your days.
Write it on post-it notes and put it in strategic places to remind yourself.
I’ve been doing this for a few years now.
I’ve chosen words like love, abundance, joy, and allow, and I’ve grown substantially in these areas.
If you do this intentionally, it can make a profound difference in your life.
Imagine what your life would look like if you truly lived your word every day this year.
My word is simplify because it will help me be more me.
Questions? Comments? Hit reply. I would love to know your word and why.
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