The Power of The Word: Ways to Brainstorm and Choose a Word of the Year, Season, Month, Week, or Day

It’s December, which means it’s practically the end of the year! Before we know it, the holidays will have passed, and we will be ringing in 2021.

That means this is also the time of year that we start thinking about goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. And, if you use a goal-setting system, like the PowerSheets Planner I’ve written about previously here, you are probably thinking about which “word of the year” you will choose.

The word of the year is something that is not unique to PowerSheets. Lots of choose one as part of setting goals, embarking on a new venture, or preparing for a change in their lives.

Basically, it is a single word that is supposed to perfectly capture our desires, intentions, and hopes for what is to come. Which means, it can feel like a daunting task to figure out the right word for the upcoming year.

I see lots of posts on planner sites with people stressing about what their word should be or how to use it. I have been choosing a word of the year ever since I started using PowerSheets, and have found a few ways to both brainstorm and narrow down my choices to the word I ended up choosing.

I’m hoping that sharing some of my methods will help others. And, to give you a boost, there are a couple of graphics in this post that have at least 150 words that you can use as your own or as inspiration for finding the word that works for you!

Why Choosing a Word is Important

Before we get into the “how” of choosing a word, it may be helpful to start with the “why.” In other words, why is it important to choose a word of the year and why do so many people put stock in this exercise?

Direction. A single word that summarizes your goals will help provide you with instant direction and help to focus your attention on those activities or habits that promote what you desire to achieve.

Memorable. Remembering one word is easier than remembering a phrase, which might change and evolve the more you play with those words.

Meaningful. A well-chosen word is basically the product of distilling your scattered thoughts and ideas into a simple concept. A simple word can be something that resonates with you on a very personal level.

Simplicity. Having one word to contain these ideas makes it not only easy to remember but to write it out in different places for yourself: your planner, a vision board, on your foggy bathroom mirror, your desk, or anywhere you need to see it.

In short, if you have certain things you wish to accomplish and want to stay on task, choosing a single word is a great way to carry a condensed version of your thought process throughout the year.

Tips and Techniques for Choosing Your Word of the Year

There is no right or wrong way to choose your word. It may come about as a result of doing the prep work in a goal-setting planner, it can change and evolve from one word to the next until it emerges clearly in your mind, or it might pop into your head unexpectedly like inspiration often does.

However, if you’re struggling to find the right word to propel you into 2021 (or any year), try some of these techniques:

Answer Some Questions. Feel free to use these as jouraling prompts!

• If last year had a theme, what would it be? In literature, a theme is basically an idea that repeats itself throughout the story. But, life can be similar to literature as we will have certain things play out repeatedly. What did that for you? Have any themes emerged? Perhaps your life’s theme last year was having to postpone things due to the shutdown (sound familiar?), but you are now ready to bounce back. Your word may be “resilience.”
• What changes are you looking to make based on what you have learned this year? Sometimes we need to acknowledge what we don’t want to do or be in order figure out what we do want. Looking back on what you wish to avoid can reveal what we need to focus on to take a different path. For example, if you spent last year feeling like you had no energy and weren’t active, your word for the year might be “move.”
• What things and experiences bring you joy? This is just a simple brainstorming exercise- write out a list of everything you love. Then, ask yourself which of those things you listed would like to more of in the next year? If they all seem to be in the same category such as storytelling, writing, and journaling, your word could be “create.”
• What changes, if you made them right now, would have the greatest positive impact on your future? This question has you doing a little future-surfing. Think of what you might want in the future and the kinds of things that if you worked on them today, would lead to that vision. For example, if you know that furthering your education would open doors for you, perhaps deciding to apply to school now would have that impact. If that’s the case, your word may be “learn.”

Write a Headline. As a lawyer, I learned about this technique attorneys use when brainstorming a case that is going to trial. It plays on the notion of having theme, but then boiling it down to a short, newspaper headline format. As you think about what you would like for your upcoming year, see if you can narrow it to a headline. For example, “Working Mom Completes New York City Marathon.” If this is the way you’d like your year to go, your word of the year might be “persevere,” “train,” or just “run.”

Vision Board. For people who are visual learners, it may take seeing certain images that conjure the right word for their year. Grab some magazines that speak to you (my favorite is Real Simple), and thumb through it, looking for pictures that best fit the image you have of your next year. Put them all together- is there a theme? What words do they evoke? Is there one word that captures what you’re seeing?

Read and Listen. Whether it’s hardcover books or podcasts, see if you can take some time to delve into some inspirational non-fiction works. Or, perhaps just scroll through webpages with inspiring quotes. Or, see if there are any devotional readings or scripture that ring true to your life and desires. What word emerges from these things that resonate with you?

Brainstorm and Narrow. This is probably my favorite thing to do. I love thinking of different words and creating a huge list). First, write down as many words as you can think of that might work as a word of the year for you. You can even start with words on the graphics in this article (see below). The important thing is to narrow them down. Here’s the process I recommend for doing just that:

• Focus on the Favorite. I actually learned this technique years ago when I was choosing dresses for my wedding. Look back at your list and start with the first two words. Between those two words, which do you like best? Once you choose one, that’s the favorite. Compare the next word to the favorite, and again, narrow it down to just one of those words. If you kept your favorite, great! Move on to the next word. If not, the new word is now the favorite. Do this with the remaining words and see if you can settle on a single word. If not, keep going with the next steps.
• Use a Thesaurus. Sometimes there will be a word you like (it may even be the favorite from the prior exercise), but deep down you feel it isn’t the word you’re looking for. Plugging it into an online thesaurus may lead you to find the word that is similar to it but has more of the meaning you are looking to apply to your circumstances.
• Use a Dictionary. Once you have settled on one or two words, look them up and see how they work for your situation. I like choosing words that have different meanings that can be applied to my life. For example, this year has been my year of “grace.” For me, it has meant everything from showing myself some grace because I’m not perfect, being gracious to others, and experiencing the grace that is taught in my religion, among other things.
• Consider Grammar. I know, grammar sounds like it’s no fun, but this is the easy part of grammar. It’ll help you decide on the role you want your word to play, which can also be helpful in choosing that one word for your year. For example, is this a year, you want to focus on your action? If so, choose a verb or action word like “try,” “pray,” or “move.” Perhaps your word is a thing- something you want to focus your attention on for the year. If that’s the case, a noun or person/place/thing can be your word such as “home,” “school,” or “family.” But, maybe you want to describe yourself or your desires for the year. A describing word (adjective or adverb) could fit the bill. For example, being “peaceful” or “fulfilled” may be your focus.

Talk it Out. Who knows you best? Is there a friend or loved one whose opinion about your word you can trust ? If so, you might discover your word by simply talking it out with someone who cares about you. And, if you are a PowerSheets user, you can always turn to the amazing ladies on the PowerSheets Facebook Group, who are always quick to help each other brainstorm their words.

Ultimately, though, finding the right word for your year comes down to your gut. It needs to feel right. The suggestions I listed above are meant to help uncover some words that, when you run across them, give you that spark confirming you have found your word.

• 

• 

Using your Word all Year Long

We sometimes choose a word and it just sits there on a Word of the Year card or page in our planner, and then we don’t give it much thought after that. Here are some ways to keep this word front and center all throughout the year:

Display it. By placing it in a prominent place, you’re more likely to see it and think about it. It can be as simple as writing it on a sticky note and attaching it to a mirror or as elaborate as having a it professionally written out and framed. Whatever you do, just make sure you have it in a place (or, better yet, several places) where you can easily see it where you’re most likely to spend time during the day.

Repeat it. When some of us were little, we were made to write lines- over and over again- to learn our lessons. Sometimes it was a punishment and sometimes it was just for memorization. The bottom line is that repetition reinforces things in our minds. So, write out your word in different lettering or on different types of paper. Maybe write it at the top of your planner each day or week. Keep it fresh by repeating it.

Journal about it. No surprises here. I find that writing is a great way to explore both thoughts and language. Try journaling about your word throughout the year with prompts such as this: How are you applying the word to your goals? Is this word helping you make progress?  Which of the word’s meanings do you see playing out in your life? Even better, try some creative jouraling, which I describe in this article. You can make artwork inspired by your word as you write about it.

Look for quotes about it. I wish I had started this sooner. On the PowerSheets Tending List (the monthly habit-tracker page you can read about here), there is a box to include “Encouraging Words.” That is a great space to add some inspiring quotes that feature your word of the year. Do a web search for the word and “inspirational quotes” to find some.

We agonize over what our word of the year will be. Hopefully, these ideas will help you carry that word with you throughout the year and allow it to guide your goals.

Having a Word for Your Season, Month, Week, or Even Day

Now that you have some tips for choosing your word of the year, why not think about extending this practice into the rest of the year? I’m not suggesting having a word for the year, season, month, week, and day. That would be too much and water down the potency of the one word that you have chosen as the year’s main focus.

Instead, there may be times that you want to have an additional word to supplement the word that is guiding your year. On the other hand, keep in mind that your word of the year may need to be replaced if circumstances in your life have made your goals change. Having some additional words you can think of during the year can help you if that happens.

Here are some reasons to consider adding an different word to complement your focus for the year.

Season. Whether you are thinking about your year in terms of seasons (spring cleaning, summer vacations, fall weather, or winter holidays) or your season in life (a time of growth, grieving, change, etc.), assigning a word for the purpose of guiding you through that time may be helpful.

Month. Most months, I don’t really have goals that are much different than the ones I set for the year. However, there are other months when I need to brace myself for the stress of what’s on our family schedule (like September, when we’re back to school) or when I want to be really intentional about enjoying time with my family (the month we go on vacation). For those months, it can be helpful to choose a word that reminds you of your focus during those few weeks.

Week. Much like a word of the month, there are times that we plan out our weeks and see that there are challenges or important events head of us. Selecting a word to inspire us or strengthen our resolve can help us get through the week with true purpose.

Day. I don’t usually have much time to write in my Write the Word journals, which I wrote about in this prior post. But when I do, I always make sure to go through the process and decide on a word for the “My Word for Today” section. My word is almost always related to both the bible passage I’ve written out and the things that came to mind as I reflected on the reading and my day.

There is power in our words. They can reveal what is on our hearts, inspire us to move forward with our plans, and remind us of our intentions.

Do you choose a word of the year? What some ways you find helpful in choosing your word? Leave a comment below!

* As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make any purchase on Amazon, I may receive a small commission at no charge to you which will help me maintain this website. 

** Images of the word “goal” and dictionary found on Pixabay; image of “choose your words” found on Unsplash.

© Plan On The Sunrise, Vidalia Patterson, 2020. No part (including, but not limited to articles, photographs, and graphics) of this site, PlanOnTheSunrise.com, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the express permission of the copyright owner.