Choose One Word to Change You in the New Year
As 2019 wound down and the new year – and the new decade – approached, I gathered words.
One Words, to be exact.
Let me back up.
Many of you might be concentrating on a list of resolutions for 2020, but I abandoned that practice 14 years ago. Instead, I choose One Word for the year and center my heart and mind on that for 365 days. I no longer fret about losing my list of New Year’s resolutions by the end of January. It’s easy to remember a single word for 12 months.
I should clarify that while it’s easy to remember my One Word, it’s not always easy to apply it. Worthwhile, yes. Life changing, yes. But allowing my One Word to reveal my weaknesses as well as my strengths? That’s the day-to-day challenge of choosing One Word.
My first One Word – chosen way back in 2006 – was gratitude. To be honest, I was a bit of a grumbler with a glass-half-empty attitude until I focused on being grateful for an entire year of my life.
Then there was 2009 when my One Word was forgiveness. I ended up keeping that word for not one, but two years. Forgiveness is too often seen as nothing more than an easy apology. Words spoken and acknowledged. Mission accomplished.
Forgiveness, my friends, is some of the hardest work you’ll ever do.
Different people besides me will be happy to talk to you about finding your One Word. I’ve read a good book about titled My One Word: Change Your Life with Just One Word by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen. Dayspring even has a seven-question quiz to help you find your One Word.
Here’s my three-step process:
Take your time. Go past your first impression. It’s okay to think someone else’s word is a great One Word and then wait for yours. Look for repetitions of the word in your life. In songs. In your reading. Let the One Word settle in your heart.
Pray about it. Faith is integral to finding my One Word. I always want God to lead to what he has waiting for me in the new year. I also look for a key Scripture verse to support my word.
Find a visual. It helps to have some sort of visual reminder of your One Word. I’ve used a quote or graphic. Sometimes I’ve made them or sometimes I’ve found them online or locally. Last year, when my One Word was anchor, I wore an anchor necklace and also hung another anchor necklace in my car.
Some of my friends’ One Words for the upcoming year include:
Beauty
Pursue
Joy
Renew
Focus
Imagine
I didn’t settle on my One Word for 2020 until mid-November, which is later than usual for me. But once the word rose to the top of possibilities, I was certain it was the right One Word for this year.
Listen.
That’s my One Word for 2020: Listen.
“Everyone should be quick to listen …” John 1:19 NIV
But too often we’re too ready to talk – to talk over someone else, to talk before someone else is finished speaking, to talk before we’ve even figured out what we want to say.
And yes, I’m already collecting quotes about listening.
“You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.”
M. Scott Peck (1936-2005), psychiatrist & author
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”
Stephen R. Covey (1932-2012), author & speaker
Do you pick One Word for the New Year? I’d love to know!
Choose One Word to Change You in the New Year http://bit.ly/2ZL6Ldx #OneWord #2020
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'No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.' Quote by John Keating http://bit.ly/2ZL6Ldx #2020 #change #DeadPoetsSociety
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