Does 2024 NEED “a Word”?
Why are so many people choosing a "word" for 2024? What is the purpose of one word?
At first glance, it may seem a little trendy, and maybe a touch ridiculous, reminiscent of a destined-to-fail New Year’s Resolution. Maybe. And, maybe not. The word of the year idea isn’t really for me, BUT that does not matter. This idea might be very motivating to my life coaching or personal training clients. It might be really motivating for YOU, so, from a life coaching perspective, let’s remember, that there is ALWAYS more than one way to look at something.
Behaviour change and motivation are hard. I want to stack the deck in favour of your success. So let’s explore this idea a bit, shall we?
One way to view this, which is likely the biggest plus, and the main reason folks choose ONE word, is the ability to focus on ONE thing. If you have read the book, ‘The ONE Thing’ by Gary W. Keller and Jay Papasan, you know how effective it is to focus all of your energy on just that, ONE thing.
Now before you jump at me and shout "But I have 1 million things to do in my life, how can I focus on just ONE thing?” Remember this:
a focus on making progress on one thing helps guide you on what you will say yes or no to, and where to draw your boundaries.
it doesn’t mean that you ONLY do one thing, at the expense of all else. BUT, it does mean that you set aside dedicated time to focus on that one thing. This one thing is the priority and must take precedence.
it does help to remind you of what you want and how you want to show up.
if you are zoning in on one thing, you MUST make room for that in your calendar. THIS is why I have spent years creating a process to help folks do just that….clean up their calendars (like what a home organizer does for your home-I do for your calendar). You can check out that system and its workshops and resources here if you know your time management needs some tidying this January: https://www.deannalangfordcoaching.com/coaching
The downside to this “word-of-the-year” idea, that I have found? There are two that stick out to me:
they are often used as a “resolution” idea, which is great in theory and energy on Jan 1st, but lacks a game plan and implementation strategy over the long haul. Which, let’s face it, behaviour change is a long game, and must be treated as such with plans for falling off track and getting back on the path you’re after. So think about what it will look like when you ARE using/living through that word, and what it will look like when you ARE NOT.
the other end of the “resolution” spectrum occurs as well. That is, a word for the year is chosen, but a lot can happen in a year. So when life events occur, that word might need changing, or be no longer important. In this instance, I see people hold on to that word so tightly because they chose it for a year when in actual fact, the right decision is letting it go, or choosing a new word.
Remember, there is no right or wrong, or BEST way to do things. There is only the way that it will work for you.
What is needed is a willingness to try new ideas, and try them for long enough that they are sufficiently tested. And then, try something new if warranted.
Cheering you on to make time for what matters, and go after what is important to you!
If you’d like to explore life coaching or personal training or learn more about The Calendar Clean Up, you can book a free call here: https://www.deannalangfordcoaching.com/booking
Deanna