By now you might know that I’m a big fan of choosing one word for the year. And by extension, I’m not very fond of New Year’s resolutions.
It’s not because I haven’t tried resolutions. It’s because I have.
And failed.
Perhaps failed is a strong word.
But I think you get where I’m heading with this.
Studies (and my experience) show that New Year’s resolutions have a very short, what shall we say, life?
Many who start New Year’s resolutions give up on them before January is even over. All well-intentioned but flailing nonetheless.
Now, if you happen to be in that very small percentage of people who stick with New Year’s resolutions all the way to the end of the year, please do leave a comment on this post.
Not only would I like to hear your thoughts, tips and tricks. I’d even like to meet you and shake your hand.
For the rest of us, New Year’s resolutions are notorious for failing.
Enter one word for the year.
This is where me and tons of other people have turned to redeem our year.
This one little word, coupled with goals inspired by your word for the year, can make all the difference in the world.
While it begins with a single word, over the course of time it weaves into a beautiful tapestry all its own.
Often, I don’t see the beauty of it until I pause to reflect — and then I’m amazed by how God almost literally connected the dots.
Moments that I thought nothing of then begin to take new meaning in light of my word. I become of aware of missed opportunities, appreciate the lessons that were borne out of periods of struggle, and give God thanks for all of it.
And at the start of every year I get excited all over again for the new thing God is doing in my life, with my one little word.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:19
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
Because the truth is, my word, as small as it is, keeps me dependent on God.
That’s the beauty of choosing a word for the year.
By the very nature of it, it’s a more intentional and mindful practice than New Year’s resolutions.
No longer am I trying to accomplish goals on my own strength. Instead I am looking in anticipation for how God will show up.
Sure, I do my part by setting goals but I also hold them loosely, allowing God to shape my year.
Choosing a word for the year is one of those things that you just have to try for yourself. Try it and see what God will do. I bet you’ll never come away the same as when you started.
Sometimes I share my word. And there are times I hold it more closely. Whatever the case, God always has a powerful way of impacting my life and my world, starting with that one little word.
For more on setting goals, based on your word for the year, check out this post on Goal Setting for Christians where I share my step by step process.
Once you have your word for the year, you might be wondering what to do next. Here are 3 of my best tips for your next best steps. (This is a guest post over on OneWord365.com — an ideal place for finding some one word inspiration).
25 Word for the Year Ideas
Speaking of inspiration, if you’re not sure what word to choose for your year, you might want to take one of these for a spin.
- peace
- become
- success
- heart
- prepare
- advance
- win
- prosper
- shine
- mercy
- marvelous
- steadfast
- full
- love
- rich
- power
- love
- commit
- trust
- one
- upright
- imagine
- humble
- joy
- persevere…
Tweet ThisStill not a good fit? Check out my complete 50-word list along with my word for the year generator here.
How about you?
Do you have a word for the year as yet? If so, I’d love to hear how you went about choosing it. And if you’re up to it, feel free to share what it is with us in the comments.
Don’t have a word yet? Well, I hope this post (and the idea generator) helped you find the perfect one.
Wishing you blessings,
Looking for more encouraging and inspiring content? Check out these amazing sites where I link up my weekly posts.
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I love doing both. I love resolutions. I love choosing words. I love anything that allows people to make changes to their lives for the better. One word has already had a tremendous impact on my 2019 simply based on how my thoughts dwell on it constantly.
I can see the value, yet it’s a practice I avoid. 🙂 Good helps you’ve provided for those wishing to do so though
I haven’t had a word for the year until recently, last year was Majestical… This year i keep getting Grace…
So it will be exciting to see what the Lord reveals through this amazing word in this season.
I have aims rather than resolutions, they remain attainable through the year 😀
Blessings,
Jennifer
This is such a great resource, Marva! I’m not doing one word this year. But I know so many people who love it and who thrive because of it. It really can be a powerful technique for change. Thanks for linking up with us over on Grace and Truth this week.
Thank you, Heather. I read your post about not doing a word for the year and I can totally understand. Following what Christ leads you to do is the best way.
Blessings!
I have never done a word but think I am feeling called to a verse for this year. laurensparks.net
I’d love to hear what you choose, Lauren. I usually find a set of verses related to my word as well as a main one as my theme for the year. It’s a great way to keep my word front and center with God’s Word.
Blessings to you!
I started and no doubt will finish with grace and more words in between. One just isn’t enough. i stop making resolutions a long time ago. Who am I kidding? It’s like saying, I’ll never eat another truffle, it’s just better not to lie, especially to God. Thankful for grace, happy New Year Marva, and my mother likes 25. persevere.
Haha, Rebecca, no more truffles, huh? Grace is an amazing word and I’ll wait to see what else God gives you.
I love that your mom is looking at a word as well. Please wish her a beautiful 2019 for me.
My word of the year is Praise!
Woohoo!!! Wonderful word, Jodie!
I’m a big fan of choosing one word for the year as well, Marva. Truth be told, I’m horrible when it comes to sticking to New Year’s resolutions. This year, my one word is create. As a creative heart, the goal is to only create from a place of abiding in Him. 🙂
Happy New Year and God bless you! 🙂
I love it, Tai. I can’t wait to see (and read about) what God leads you to create. What an exciting time!
My word for last year was “deep”. At first it was knowledge but I realized a couple of weeks into it that if I never gain anymore knowledge of the Word I have enough already to take me home. I needed deep because I had to get away from a struggle I had over writing a book which I am not working on. I think I will keep the word, deep, for this year also. From what everyone else who has written a book I will need to bury myself in Him . Happy New Year.
So often I realized that my word was so much more than what I thought it was. Looks like it might be that same way with your word ‘deep’, Betty. And good luck with that book!
I always love reading about people’s experiences with their word of the year. This is the fourth year I have done it and I never expected it to have such an impact when I started but it has been really powerful. My word for 2019 is Truth.
And there your have another powerful word, Lesley. I agree, I’ve been amazed by the insights God reveals with my word. Every year I see Him work in amazing ways.
Blessings to you for your New Year.
Live
Wow, what a powerful word, Dee. I can’t even begin to imagine all the amazing things you will experience with your word LIVE. I pray that you will see God in fresh new ways with your new word.
Blessings to you!