Choose your word of the year for 2021!
Time to talk Word of the Year
I’m so excited to introduce to you my favorite way to start a new year and I’m going to detail exactly how you can choose your word here! 2020 has been a whirlwind for many, myself included. I’ve officially launched my own business and while scary, it’s been so exciting! Thank you so much to everyone that has been there while I’ve been in launch mode!
One thing I’ve done over the last few years, is choose and plan what my “word of the year” should be for the next year. I did not come up with the idea of choosing a word instead of a resolution – man I wish I could take credit for that. I’ve followed many bloggers who give great details and have taught me over the years. But what I don’t see a lot of is choosing a word of the year to set goals for your businesses or career. With 2020 coming to a close in the next few weeks (finally right), it’s time for me to pick my “word” for 2021. I choose a word to live by rather than a resolution to try to keep. Let’s be honest, how many people break their resolutions within the first few weeks of the year?
If you’re interested in choosing a word for 2021 rather than a resolution keep reading! While I’m going through the motions of choosing my word, I’m documenting my process for you to do the same. I’d also love to hear what your word is and why if you’d like to share! Let me know if this has been helpful for you.
Why choose a word instead of a resolution?
Why choose that word of the year instead of a resolution? I’ve been choosing a word for about the last 4 years and by the end of the year I really found that I’ve actually stuck to it instead of dropping it within the first few months. For 2020 my word was “Progress.” I had no idea that by the end of the year I would actually be fairly successful with that word – having no idea the struggles I was going to face for the year. We all know that ugly term for 2020 – COVID. I “progressed” forward and leaped into starting my own business and stopped doing everything for free. I “progressed” forward and continued on my weight loss journey losing over 70lbs (so far) this year! I “progressed” through an unexpected pandemic virtually teaching a 7 & 9 year old, working full time, starting my business and keeping my head above water with family. What an adventure this year has been! In all the negativity that is surrounding us small businesses (or life in general) I can take a look back and be proud of myself for my accomplishments.
Let’s talk goals and get to work!
So let’s get started. Get yourself a pad of paper or open up a notes tab on your phone or computer. Start thinking of what you want to focus on for 2021. I’m going to focus this on setting a business related “word,” but you can absolutely use this same process to choose a “word” that is all encompassing for work and home. Those words could match, but they could be totally different as well and that’s ok! You can even choose 2 if they are completely different.
Go through the classic Who, What, When, Where and Why. First, think of some of the goals you want to accomplish over the next year. You might break it down like this…Who is your main focus for 2021? Who do you want to reach as a customer base? What do you need to do to reach that new customer? When do you want to reach that new customer? Where are those new customers? Why this new customer?
Are your goals SMART goals? I’m taking this back to my college days but if you don’t know what a SMART goal is, it is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Based. A goal of I want to lose weight is not considered a SMART goal. I will lose 20lbs in 2021 is better but still not great. How will you lose 20lbs? How about I will go to the gym 3 days per week in 2021 to lose 20lbs for the year. Better, right? How else could you achieve it? Meal planning? Join a gym? Find a specific new way of eating? You can also break down your large SMART goals into smaller goals to help you achieve that bigger goal. Let’s turn that to business. “I will gain 200 new followers on my social media by December 31, 2021.”
All of the above really brings you more towards a resolution right? Not necessarily. We’re going focus those goals and break them down in the next section!
Time to break it down!
Next, let’s take that smart goal and break out specific key words that bring you towards that goal. If you have a few goals, write down descriptive, focused words. Start writing or typing those thoughts making sure to use descriptive words; no matter how big or small this is going to help you in the process of choosing your word. Are you starting to see a common theme between your focus(es)? What is motivational in the descriptive words you’ve written down? Now look at your words. Do you see a lot of nouns (customer, workplace, employees, family, time, social media, etc.)? Let’s try to remove the focus of nouns and focus more on adjectives (profitable, healthy, happy, successful, grateful, blessed) or verbs (gain, focus, renew, soar, balance, progress). What can you take action on that will motivate you towards success for the following year? What verbs or adjectives do you want to see from your nouns? Personally, I find a verb to be the best choice for me, but you have to choose what works for you too.
If you have a business partner, you can ask them to do this activity with you and try to come up with a word together. Or, you can do the activity separate and watch your goals soar! My only recommendation to you would be to make sure your words align together so you are not on completely different focuses of where you see your business going over the next year.
Don’t stress!
You absolutely can choose to have more than one word for the year but if this is your first time, really try to focus your goals and see if you can come up with just 1. It doesn’t have to be done today or tomorrow but don’t lose the focus. You do not have a deadline of January 1 to put this word in place. Take your time and find something you know you can stick with. You’re going to benefit from the choice no matter what day you make that choice. Also if something changes partway through the year, there is no one telling you that you can’t change the word as the world around you changes. Don’t give up on it either. Goals can and should be tough to obtain – use those easy goals to reach your main goal for the year.
What do I do with the word once I choose it?
What do you do with the word once you’ve chosen it? I can tell you what I do – I plaster it everywhere! Anyplace appropriate that I see consistently. A constant reminder to not forget. When you forget, you drop it, right?
Some of you may know I’m also a consultant with Thirty-One Gifts. In the past we’ve had bracelets where we could monogram a word or saying on that bracelet. Unfortunately the bracelets aren’t available as of today, but if they become available, I will update this to include a link. I wear that bracelet every single day as a reminder to myself to not forget my word. There are many Etsy shops (yay, support small businesses) where you can order a bracelet for yourself to have a bracelet every day too! Unless Thirty-One comes back with them soon, I’ll find a great Etsy owner and have one made. When I do, I’ll come update you all with my findings!
Create a vision board! They’re so fun and relaxing to make. Just cut up some old magazines or print out photos with your word and even some pictures of where you want your word to take you for the year. Plaster them all over a piece of heavy cardstock or poster board. Hang it up in your office or somewhere you’ll see it every day.
If you use a good ole paper planner, put it at the top of every week or month as a daily reminder. Take it to the next level and put some of those smart goals in your planner too. If you have something date specific, a planner is a great place to put your goals!
Create a digital photo collage and use it as your home screen on your computer, phone or tablet. Use your word and place photos behind it of things that help define that goal. I love Canva to make collages or fun photos. They have a great free option!
Promote it on your social! Use it as a hashtag and maybe find others that have that same word for the year. You can also find great inspirational photos by searching it as a hashtag. Use that photo you created for your home screens and put it on your social too.
If you journal, journal all about that word. Not just once, go back to it and fill in the wins you have from reaching that goal as you reach them!
Oh gosh there are so many ways you can make this word a decorative reminder of your goals for the year! What are your ideas of word placement and uses?
Yessss, you’ve got this!
There are many unknowns for the upcoming year. You’ve got this!! Take your focus on what you can control. What can you do for your business or even yourself to make 2021 even better than 2020? We all have it in us and I’m hoping this gives you the ability to find what you can do to keep moving forward for the upcoming year. Always remember that you matter and you can make a difference! Your success is in your hands and I hope you all have a prosperous 2021! Thank you for taking the time to be with me for this and I really look forward to your questions and comments! Feel free to share this if you found it inspiring or helpful at all. I hope I can help others succeed in 2021! If you’re comfortable, let me know what your word for 2021 is and if it’s personal, business related or both!
Much love & success,
Kim
*12/31/20 Update…
Thirty-One has the bracelets in the Outlet Sale that is running through 1/11/21 while supplies last. You can personalize your very own bracelet in Very Cherry or Blue Glass! This is the same bracelet I order every year! Click here to get yours today while they’re available!
Here is a screenshot of the bracelets from my website.
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