Why choose a Word of the Year?

Choosing a “Word of the Year” for business is a symbolic and strategic practice recently gaining popularity. In December, my business coach encouraged me to think of a word for 2024.

This idea involves selecting a word that encapsulates a key theme, focus, or aspiration for you or your business.

Here are some reasons why you might choose a Word of the Year:

Clarity and Focus: A Word of the Year can provide a clear and concise focal point for you and your business. It helps streamline messaging and decision-making processes because you have a common theme.

Inspiration and Motivation: A well-chosen word can be a source of inspiration and motivation for you and those you work with. It can energise you on the ‘flat days’ and inspire you to dream bigger.

PR: Having a Word of the Year can simplify communications. It can be incorporated into your brand identity and used in marketing and public relations efforts to communicate your values, priorities and aspirations.

Cultural Impact: The Word of the Year can contribute to shaping the culture within your business. It can reinforce certain values, behaviours, or attitudes that you want to promote.

Adaptability: A Word of the Year is adaptable. It allows you to respond to changing circumstances, while still maintaining a consistent theme or focus throughout the year.

Reflection and Evaluation: At the end of the year, the chosen word provides a framework for reflection and evaluation. It enables you to assess how well it lived up to the themes and priorities set out at the beginning of the year.

Examples of past Words of the Year

I have seen words including “innovation,” “resilience,” “transformation,” “collaboration”, “creativity”, “thrive”, “elevate”.

The selection of the Word of the Year is a process that requires thought to ensure it inspires, resonates, and is in line with your goals and values.

What is my word of the Year?

“Flourish”

This is what it means to me…

Personal Growth:

“Flourish” signifies personal growth, development, and reaching one’s full potential.

Professional Success:

I am committed to continuous improvement and the pursuit of excellence in my professional life. I will be looking at ways to improve my systems and processes further, to achieve bigger, better results for my clients. Seeking out more ways to surprise and delight them whilst personally flourishing during the process.

I also believe that it will help me make better decisions, as I have two parameters:

1. Will it help me reach my goals?
2. Will it help me to flourish, individually and professionally?

Optimism and Positivity:

For me, “flourish” carries a sense of optimism and positivity. I am focusing on the positive aspects of life, practising gratitude, fostering a mindset that encourages well-being, happiness, and success and looking out for ‘deep-belly’ laughs.

Health and Well-being:

My intention is to nurture a holistic and flourishing lifestyle. I will actively seek ways to support myself better and look after my physical health, mental well-being, and work-life balance. The children are now at university, which gives me more time and scope. I have made some changes to my diet, and have more changes to introduce this year so that I have a healthier lifestyle this year.

After achieving my ‘black belt’ last year, perhaps I will take on the challenge of working towards my 2nd Dan? I will definitely be looking at ways to streamline running the house!

Creating a Positive Environment:

I want to create a positive and nurturing environment around me. I have some incredible colleagues, associates and business friends. This year, I want to foster positive relationships, support others, look for collaborative ventures and contribute to a thriving community.

Personally, I will be devoting more time to family, friends and travelling.

Your turn…

I hope you have fun thinking of your Word of the Year.

I am hoping that choosing “flourish” as my Word of the Year will be a positive and inspiring decision for me.

The power of the Word of the Year lies in its ability to guide and inspire you throughout the year. It serves as a reminder of your intentions and goals, helping you stay focused and motivated as you work towards a happy, successful and fulfilling year.

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Thank you for reading this blog. I hope you found it interesting and inspiring.

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