The Power Of Intention: Focusing On One Single Word
A single word or phrase can have so much power. When that word is a point of focus while going about everyday life – it can significantly shape and shift what and how decisions are made and the lens in which people and situations are viewed. It helps to bring clarity to the things you’d like to create in your life and the way in which you want to live. It can act as a motivator and guiding star throughout the year.
It’s for those reasons that I have made it a practice to choose a word to focus on every year. And I love it. I love the guidance and I love the impact.
Note: From here forward, I’ll be saying “word” – as in a single word, but it can easily be multiple words or a phrase as well.
The first time I intentionally chose a word to focus on for the year was in 2012. As a scrapbooker and documenter (hobbies I don’t seem to have much time for in over the past several years) – I follow several leaders in the creative space. I was intrigued by a project by Ali Edwards called One Little Word®. As a participant in her yearlong workshop – you are sent monthly creative prompts (starting in January and ending in December) that help keep focus and perspective on your word. I gave the workshop a shot – and I was hooked.
Note: you certainly don’t need a workshop to select and focus on a word. It’s worked as an accountability tool and reminder for me, but not necessary!
Grounding myself with a word each year provides me with direction and guides my actions. It is a simple way to keep myself in check and aligned. And – it’s always applicable in all areas of my life!
How I Choose a Word
Choosing a word can feel like an overwhelming task. But it doesn’t need to. Nothing has to be set in stone! I’ve learned not to put pressure on myself. There is no need to compare to others, impress others or get others’ approval. I own it, love it and live it.
I usually start to think about my word in the November / December timeframe. Sometimes it comes quickly – and sometimes it doesn’t. There are three things I typically do:
Begin with the end in mind. I ask myself this series of questions:
What would I like the next year to bring?
What I’m I most excited about for the next year?
What am I most nervous/apprehensive about for the next year?
What would I like to have accomplished by the end of the next year?
What do I need more of in my life to make that happen?
What do I need less of in my life to make that happen?
Listen and notice. With these questions rolling around in my head (some answered, some not) – I will typically start to see things, read things or think of things that jog a thought or idea pertaining to a possible word. I pay attention to those nudges and typically start to see a theme.
Explore Google and the thesaurus. As ideas come to me – I just write them down. If I don’t have a solid word, I might use on online thesaurus to see if something else pops up or Google ideas. I can pretty quickly give a thumbs up or a thumbs down on words. And when you know – you know.
It might sound like this is a major time-consuming process – but it isn’t. Besides writing down a few thoughts and doing a little thesaurus work – it simply becomes something I think about during the regular day-to-day. And it usually won’t take long for my word to appear.
There is no right or wrong on what type of word to choose! It might be an action word one year, and a behavior-based word another. Everything goes!
No matter the word I choose – I love that it always applies to all areas of my life – like work, relationships, parenting, health, spiritual and fun! It guides my mindset and how I show up.
Bringing My Word to Life
Personally, I believe that making your word visible is important. Documenting my word through a project like One Little Word® is valuable because of the 12 prompts received throughout the year. It guides reflection, perspective, energy, direction and celebration for my word.
One of my favorite ways to make my word visible is by creating a vision board. This can be done physically (we’re talking glue, scissors and lots of magazines!) or digitally. I always keep it somewhere that I see it every day.
When the year is over – I’m typically ready for a new word, but the current word doesn’t just go away. I tend to carry my past words with me. It’s fun to look back and see the impact that the word had and continues to have.
My Previous Words
Here is a list of my past words. You may not be able to see it, but as I look at this list – it tells me a story. I love that.
Purpose
Balance
Gratitude
Space
Jump
Confidence
Elevate
This is list is from 2012 – 2019. There were two years I didn’t choose a word. I don’t remember why – but I do know that I was in a deep state of ‘career reflection’ at the time!
My 2021 Word(s)
I started thinking about my 2021 word in November in the same way I do every year.
It’s when I was reading the book ‘Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man’ by Emmanuel Acho that I discovered the essence of what I wanted my word to be. On page 6, he said: “Getting uncomfortable is the whole idea. Everything great is birthed through discomfort. Think about it – a mother suffers not small amount of trouble for nine months before enduring the mega-pain of labor in birthing the world’s next great hero of genius…Most of our major accomplishments are accompanied by some form of discomfort.”
Based on that – I knew I wanted something about leaning into discomfort. Over the next few weeks - I paid attention to what popped up for me, wrote down ideas and spent a little time on thesaurus.com. Some of the words I played with included discomfort, uncomfortable, push, push through, courage, brave and dare. I Googled definitions, eliminating what didn’t feel right and finally landed on:
DARE GREATLY.
I credit Brené Brown with making that phrase known (at least to me) with her 2015 book ‘Daring Greatly’. She actually pulled those words from a section of Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, dubbed “The Man in the Arena” (I’ve included the section of the speech at the end of this blog).
Dare Greatly (or Daring Greatly) is defined by Brené Brown as:
“To have the courage to be vulnerable. It means to show up and be seen. To ask for what you need. To talk about how you’re feeling. To have the hard conversations.”
So, in 2021 – I plan to lean in when I feel uncomfortable. Leaning in might result in simple exploration, broader and/or different perspectives and taking new and brave action. I do know that the magic happens outside of our comfort zone – I’m excited to really experience that as I embrace my word(s)!
Do you choose a word or phrase for the year? Whether this is an annual practice for you or if you’re embarking on it for the first time – I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment or send me a message and share with me - how did you choose your word and what do you hope it brings? How do you plan to keep it alive?
I’d love to help you with this work. My coaching and facilitation services are impactful and meaningful ways to strengthen connection and create transformation. When you’re ready — I’m here to partner with you.
Section of Theodore Roosevelt’s 1910 “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, dubbed “The Man in the Arena”:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
Suggested Resources:
All of Brené Brown’s books are incredible. As the book description states: Daring Greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. In a world where “never enough” dominates and feeling afraid has become second nature, vulnerability is subversive. Uncomfortable. Definitely worth the read. Amazon link to Brene's book *this is an affiliate link
Emmanuel Acho wrote this book in response to the death of George Floyd in 2020 after he started his YouTube series of the same name. Both the video series and the book are musts. He covers topics in the book ranging from white privilege to interracial families. The work of understanding others and working to effect change will never be done. We have to get uncomfortable to make a difference. Amazon link to Emmanuel's book * this is an affiliate link
Ali Edwards’ is a creator, documenter and storyteller. Her yearlong workshop, One Little Word®, is the way I choose to keep my word alive each year. Click here for more information.
Nice to Meet You!
My name is Angie Robinson. I am a coach, facilitator and consultant. I have a passion for partnering with others, helping them to be their best selves. I am known for having balanced judgment, making big picture connections, and building relationships.
FREE DOWNLOAD
10 Impactful Coaching Questions
FOR SELF + OTHERS
This download provides thought-provoking questions to create connection and focus when coaching others and yourself - ultimately leading to clarity and desired results!
When you sign up for this free guide, you'll also receive tips, insights, and updates sent straight to your inbox. You can opt-out any time.
SHARING IS CARING
Know someone who could benefit from this article?
Share it with them: