Embrace Intention in 2023 – Discover the Power of Choosing a Word of the Year 

Every year, I suggest you set yourself up for success by selecting a word, words or phrase as a trigger for focused intentions throughout a busy year. Choose these intentional words to remind you who you need to be and how to show up each day. Let these words encourage behaviours that will serve you in reaching your goals and taking your life and business to new heights. Here’s how to select the perfect word for your journey in 2023!

Reflect on Previous Years

Before committing to a word of the year for 2023, it’s important to reflect back on all that has happened in the previous year. Consider major milestones achieved, hardships overcome and lessons learned along the way – these experiences can help shape which words best suit your goals in 2023.

Brainstorm Ideas

Now it’s time to brainstorm potential words. What words resonate with you? Think about values such as courage, resilience and patience; or maybe terms like innovator, leader or growth mindset. Consider how you will need to be and how you will need to show up, given what you plan to achieve this year.  Contemplate what behaviours will best progress you toward your goals for 2023. Write down all possibilities so nothing gets overlooked.

Evaluate Your List

Once you have your list, evaluate which word best embodies what you want from 2023. Does one inspire more than others? You may find that some words resonate with you more readily than others. Read over each word carefully and ask yourself why it stands out compared to other options.

Less is more – limit your theme to 3 words.  That way, you will have to get super sharp about which mindset and behaviours will best enable you to reach your goals.

Importantly, there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ when it comes to setting your word/s of the year. It doesn’t matter what’s trending or what you think you ‘should’ focus on for the year. You have permission to choose anything you like – it’s your life, after all!

Commit

Once you make your selection, write it down somewhere where you will see it often throughout the upcoming year – this could be a vision board, journal or even taped up around your home – so that it remains top-of-mind while achieving goals in 2023.

Deciding on a “word of the year” isn’t just something done by individuals; organizations have also found success from choosing words like “authenticity” or “collaboration.” No matter which one is chosen, commit to living by its meaning every day! Your theme can be an individual one and/or a corporate one.  Choosing your corporate theme is a wonderful opportunity to brainstorm with your team using your business plans and goals as a point of reference.  As a team, you will get to better understand the plan and what mindset and behaviours will have to play out in order to achieve corporate goals.  It’s very powerful indeed.

My Word of the Year for 2023

By now, you must be wondering what I chose as the words which make up my theme for 2023. They are…

I chose FUN because I am working on an exciting new project which could become all-consuming and my determination to deliver what I know will change lives could potentially bring on the energy of battle and that will not serve me. 

I chose PERSISTENTLY INTENTIONAL as a reminder to stay focused and not be distracted by new shiny things, as I can be.  Yes, there will be activities critical to the process which are not in my Core Genius, which take a lot of energy, and I will persist, and I will be gritty. 

You will see that I add a paragraph for each word which act as a reminder as to what each word means. That way, there can be confusion as time passes by.

If it resonates with you, I encourage you to choose these are your words too!

Remember, we do this work based on what we know at that time.  If we learn something new, if our plan for ourselves and/or our business shifts and lifts, then so might our THEME and ENERGY focus. It’s ok to change your words of the year as you need to.

Choosing a word of the year is a powerful way to focus on what you want to achieve in the coming months. It can serve as a reminder and motivator, encouraging you to act with intention and stay on track with your goals. Once you’ve chosen your word, share it with friends and family to receive their support in helping you reach your objectives for the year. With this positive reinforcement, I believe there’s no limit to what you can accomplish!

This process is just one of the many activities which are included in the 12WBFC program. There are hordes of business owners and leaders joining the 12WBFC and working their way to even better businesses and lives. And so can you.