Author: Liz Frome
The practice of choosing a “Word of the Year” is that, instead of setting a lot of different New Year’s Resolutions, you select one single word to be your focus for the year. It is an idea, concept, driving factor and does not have to be a goal. (It is only a guide, and it is ok to go in a different direction throughout the year; nothing is set in stone.) Years 2020,2021 & 2022 words were deep words – we are almost back to normal and have dugout. We can all now breathe and now think about thriving in 2023.
You can use your word to set intentions for each area of your life but have them all tie back to the single word. For example, if your word of the year was “abundance” you might have a subgoal of investing in an abundant number of friendships, or hitting an income goal, or spending more quality time with the people you love without your phone. “Discipline” could entail going to the gym, sticking to an evening routine, and no longer being late to meetings.
By tying all your intentions, concepts, or ideas back to your word, it is easy to keep them front and center and top of mind.
I put my word in a few places that will remind me of my intention I set in the beginning of the year – good places for your word - your phone screen, on your fridge, on the front of your computer.
The first time I picked a word of the year was back in 1979. (I would choose a word of the year based on what was happening with my life at that time. I played a lot of sports, had BIG goals and dreams. I would start thinking of my word in early December and would pick my word by January 1st. My word would keep me focused and would help me achieve my goals.) I love “Quotes” and I will choose 1-2 quotes when I am selecting my word of the year and when I am setting my intentions. (This will motivate me when I need a boost, I think of the word I choose and my quotes! One of my goals for 2023 is to do the swim from Alcatraz in the San Francisco Bay. The only time I am able to practice, will be at 6:30am 2-3 days a week. My word will help motivate me when my alarm goes off at 5:30am, when I enter the cold bay at 6:30am and when I jump off the boat to do the swim.)
“Once you become fearless, life becomes limitless.” Mit Bhatt
Some tips on choosing a personal word of the year!
Brainstorm:
Jot down any words you immediately think of.
Go with your initial “Gut” reaction first.
The words you choose should be powerful to you and positive.
If you are setting intentions for 2023, how can this word enhance your intentions/goals and give you direction.
Ask yourself questions.
Do you like the path you are on, or do you want to change it?
Maybe do some free writing.
Narrow them down.
There is no wrong answer, and it is about progress, not some unachievable destination.
You can change your word.
One thing that helps me is to not overthink things!
For 2023 I again reached out and asked people what their word of the year was. When I first would ask family, friends, clients, candidates, acquaintances, and strangers I would say, “What is your word for 2023?” I would say 75% would stop and for a few seconds and you could hear their brain burning and after a few seconds, out would come their word with a Big smile on their face. For some the question would stump them and they would say, “Let me think about that and get back to you.” The individuals that just came around and said a word I really connected with as they had energy behind that word. They would then tell you what that word meant to them right away. For some they would change their word a few times and that is ok; you could tell they were thinking what they possibly wanted out of 2023. A lot of people thanked me and said they needed that! For some they would just say “I do not believe in that stuff, and I will not choose a word.” (Honestly, I only had 1-2 people take this path. I wanted to talk to them longer, but you could tell they would never be selecting a word.)
The conversations were well worth the question! The conversations about the words they would choose would break the ice and lead to a conversation that would connect the two of us. It made me think about that person and possibly why they choose that word and realize we are all connected by these words; more than you think!
Well onto my word for 2023….DRUM ROLL ……..
The word I chose for 2023 was LIMITLESS!
Dictionary Definition: without end, limit, or boundary
This is a Big year for me and I wanted to remind myself that limitation lives only in my mind! I feel as we move along in life, we get too comfortable, and it is important to embrace discomfort to reclaim our wild, happy, healthy self and that there are no boundaries.
“Remember you are your only limit!”
I will keep in mind all these words when I go through 2023 and I will smile and think about the people who chose these words. I will think of these words each week when I am on my journey in 2023 for limitless possibilities. I will send them good thoughts and hope they are getting out of their word what they wanted. (I will also share the list of words with everyone as when I sit and read the words; I am very empowered, touched, I feel the passion and energy behind all the words!) These words crossed my path this year for a reason and the list is truly amazing. (The list will grow as I am still asking my question and I will ask you, “What is your word for 2023?”)
And the 2023 words so far are:
Active
Adventure
Adventures / 2
Alacrity
Appreciation / 2
Balance / 2
Better
Birdie
Brain
Breathe
Determination
Challenge
Choice
Compassion / 2
Connect
Connection
Effort
Energy
Enjoy / 2
Exceptional
Fearless
Fitness
Fulfillment
Flourish
Flow
Friends
Golf
Grace
Grateful
Gratitude / 2
Grounded
Growth / 2
Half-full
Happiness
Health / 3
Healthy / 2
Hope / 4
Hopeful
Kindness
Limitless / 2
Listen
Love / 2
Move
Nicer
Nobility
Optimistic
Optimism
Pace
Patience / 2
Peace / 3
Perspective
Persistent
Pivot
Pray
Present
Progress / 3
Reach
Refresh
Relationships
Respect
Retirement
Relax
Revival
Rescue
Resilient
Serenity / 2
Smile
Strength
Stretch
Strong
Thrive / 2
Transformation / 2
Try
Ultra
Wanderlust
Water
Yes
“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year!” Vern Mclellan
Happy 2023 and realize things are Limitless!