What if you could do one thing that could change the course of your entire year? One simple thing that will not cost you anything, but could change everything? That one simple thing, I know because it changed everything for me, is having a word of the year.
Now I know this seems so simple that it could not possibly change your entire year, but it can. I can remember a few years ago when I was introduced to choosing a word of the year and I was quite skeptical. I knew all about setting goals for the year and making sure they were SMART goals. (SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based.)
Yet, if we are honest after setting our goals and heading into a new year, new things, situations, and even new goals often pop up. Then what do you do? How are you to stay focused on your goals while navigating real life and also being open to new things God will bring into your life? Especially as a wife.
As a wife, we cannot just be concerned with our wants, needs, and goals. We also are to be walking alongside our husbands to help and support them in their wants, needs, and goals. While also working together to attend to the needs and goals of your marriage.
So much to be aware of, working towards, and to be open to. This is why having a word of the year is so important. A word of the year is simply a word you use throughout the year as you work towards your goals and navigate the unexpected things that come your way. It helps you stay focused, filter accordingly, and stay encouraged because everything you do or choose not to throughout the year should align with your word.
Being able to focus, filter, and stay encouraged through the year ahead with the right perspective, attitude, and that can change everything.
Having a Word of the Year keeps you Focused
With the last few years that we have had, there is one thing that has remained the same. Nothing stays the same. The world around us changes. We change. Our husbands change. With all these changes, many of which are outside our control, we have to adjust while remaining focused.
Focused on what we want to do, the goals we have set, and the things God has called us to do. Having a word of the year can actually help you to stay focused.
Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.
Proverbs 4:25 (AMPC)
I do not know about you, but often with all the things that life throws my way staying focused is often the hardest thing to do at times. Especially as a wife because it is so easy to let our to-dos and other things get into the way of keeping our marriages a priority.
By having a word of the year it can help you to stay focused on the things that are important to you. For example, last year my word was permission. So everything I did or did not do was all about me giving myself permission.
Permission to be the woman God had created me to be. No longer needing to apologize for not fitting in the box others want to put me in. Permission to be the wife my husband needs at this season of our lives.
After almost 15 years of marriage, so much has changed. So making sure I was giving myself permission to let go of some things that were no longer working for us and investing in learning new things that will. Permission to grow and invest in my business intentionally and at times unconventional ways.
Having a focus that is prompted by something as simple as a word was such a powerful way for me to face each day confidently and I know it can be for you as well. Your word of the year will help you stay focused on the things that are important to you.
Filtering properly throughout the year is a must
Staying focused and being about to filter things go hand in hand. In order for you to truly stay focused on your needs, goals, and what God is calling you to. You have to be able to filter out the things that may distract you or may not need to take priority at that time.
This is why having your word of the year along with the wisdom and discernment God has blessed you with is key.
Test all things; hold fast what is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)
It is so easy to either think that something new will be better or something tried and true is best. Neither is always true and this is why being able to filter as you move throughout the year is so important.
Using your word of the year to filter helps you to see if maybe going in a new direction or doing things in a new way may be best for you overall and not just in a particular situation. While also allowing you to see if staying committed and focused on what and how you are doing things now is best.
Using my word permission to filter throughout the last year, when new things and opportunities came my way, especially with my wife coaching business. I used my word to make sure the opportunities I pursued aligned with my word and goals.
When something did not, I could confidently say no. Then when things did align, I could take the time to reprioritize and refine where necessary.
This refinement and reprioritization process is not just necessary as we refine and seek to stay focused and achieve our goals. While also growing as women, wives, and in our faith.
Having a Word of the Year keeps you Encouraged
No matter how focused you are and how well you filter, things will come your way that will take you and your focus off course. No matter how well you plan or committed you are, you will make missteps, mistakes, or things will just not go according to plan. It is at these times that staying encouraged is so important.
We start out the new year with so much enthusiasm and motivation. However as the year moves forward, the enthusiasm often fades and our perfect plans do not work out so perfectly.
It is at these times that staying encouraged is so important. This encouragement can be found right within your word of the year. Regardless if all your plans go according to plan, the decisions that you have made by aligning them with your word have kept you moving forward.
This forward movement teaches you things and grows you in many ways. It is the forward movement that also helps to keep you encouraged to keep moving towards your goals regardless of the things life throws your way.
Therefore by taking the time to choose a word of the year, you are committing to staying focused, filtering accordingly, and staying encouraged as you work towards making this year your best year yet.
I’d love to know what your word of the year is and why in the comments!
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