One Word

I first heard about the concept of choosing one word for a year several years ago. It made complete sense to me, and I jumped on board. Instead of making a list of New Year’s resolutions, and attempting to stick to them, you choose one word to focus on that encompasses the overall goals you want to achieve. Essentially, your “resolutions” are within your one word.

Benefits

While most people choose one word at the beginning of the year and use it throughout, you can start this anytime!

Your word is your focus and is ultimately meant to draw you closer to God. Often people who choose one word will have a scripture verse or two that is the foundation for their choice.

Your word offers flexibility to work towards your goals in a manner you set. Resolutions often don’t work because we feel like we fail at an attempt or deadline. Encompassing a goal within your word changes the thought process. Sometimes we need a re-set during the year, or adapt our goals due to life events or seasons.

One word can take on a variety of meanings. A few years ago, I choose “diligence” – which at that time seemed to be the umbrella for my health-related goals, improving my quiet time with God, showing excellence at work, and other things I had on my list. My list was widely varied, but they all had something in common: I needed to follow-through and do my best.

There is no failure with your one-word year! It’s all about making progress!

Tips for choosing your word

PRAY. Ask God to help you discern what things you need to focus on in the new year. (I have a hunch you already have identified most things!)

WRITE. Write down that list – whether it is developing a new habit or getting rid of a bad one, health goals, work-related, spiritual, etc. Try to be specific.

PRAY. Pray through your list. Is God leading you to make any changes?

WRITE. On the same paper – whether at the side or bottom, start to write words that seem to encompass the points in your written list. For me, sometimes a scripture will come to mind and I’ll write down the key word in that verse or passage. You may find yourself jotting down just a few words, or perhaps a dozen. Then start eliminating words to narrow your choices. I've looked up scriptures and dictionary definitions to help me in the past. And keep praying about it!

During this process you may land on a word almost immediately, like an “aha” moment. This past year, I had a word in mind, and ended up setting my paper aside until the next morning during my personal devotion time. The next morning while praying I felt the Lord moving me to choose a different word. In case you're wondering, my word for 2025 is TRUST (Psalm 143:8).

There are lots of great choices for "one word" including, achieve, thrive, joy, hope and diligence!

Ideas to help you embrace and focus on your word

Draw out a mind map for your word, this is an example of mine.

Journal

Find a blank journal with a pretty cover and write your word on the first page. You can use this journal in several ways:

write down your thoughts
write scriptures that speak to you
write out your prayers and record answered prayers
draw or doodle to embellish pages or to help process thoughts and feelings

Last year my word was BECOMING. One of the activities I did in my journal is pictured to the left. I jotted down things as I was spurred. Perhaps it was a thought in a devotional, a key word in a scripture passage or something else. Things that helped point me to becoming a better daughter of the King. When a day seemed more challenging than I wanted, I’d pull out my journal and flip through the pages. It was a wonderful way to refocus on what’s important! How you use your journal is unique to you. Everyone is different, just strive to enter something into your book daily.

Create a Pinterest Board

If you’re a Pinterest user, then create a board to pin things related to your word. I label my boards with the word and year (JOY 2021). Then I’ll pin a scripture, word art, or anything I find relevant. I strive to pin 365 things to that board, and sometimes I'm successful! While I may not go back and scroll through my board often, I find that it is just another way to help keep my focus. This is also a great tool to help you fight through a “blah” day. Go back to your board, and just see all the encouragement you've pinned!

Other suggestions:

Tell your closest friends so they can pray for you. I ask my friends what their word is and write them all down in my prayer journal.

Write your word, scriptures, and other encouragement on sticky notes and put them in various places you see everyday.

Create a playlist of music that your word inspires. Add songs to it throughout the year.

Brainstorm ways that will help YOU keep your focus – not everything works for everybody!