Have you ever felt like goal-setting is just…a lot?
📋 The long lists.
✨ The lofty resolutions.
😬 The pressure to do all the things perfectly.
Truthfully, most people don’t need more goals. What they need is more focus.
That’s where choosing a Word of the Year (aka power word) comes in.
Instead of juggling a dozen resolutions or chasing every shiny new idea, a single guiding word keeps you centered on what matters most. It becomes your compass—helping you make decisions, shift your mindset, and move forward with clarity.
And the best part? You can pick a word of the year anytime—at the start of a new year, a new season, or right in the middle of a messy week.
I’ve used this practice for years, and it’s one of the simplest (yet most powerful) ways to create consistency in both life and business.
Let’s walk through three simple steps to find the word that’s right for you.
(read the blog or watch the video for a few extra insights)
Step 1: Brainstorm
Choosing your word of the year doesn’t have to feel complicated. Think of it as a reset button.
Start by reflecting on where you are right now and where you want to go. Grab a journal, a cup of coffee, and ask yourself questions like:
✅ Do I know my biggest distractions?
✅ What beliefs might hold me back this year (or this season)?
✅ What do I enjoy, and what am I naturally good at doing?
✅ What’s the most important thing in my life right now?
✅ What do I want more of in my life?
✅ A year from today, what would I be most excited to look back on and say I accomplished?
From there, write down five to seven words that capture who you are becoming—or what you most want to embody moving forward.
👉 Example: If you notice you’ve been scattered and distracted, words like clarity, focus, or discipline might surface. If you’ve been holding yourself back, words like bold, courage, or brave might stand out.
💡 Remember: there’s no “right” or “wrong” here. Your word doesn’t have to impress anyone else. It just needs to feel aligned with you.
Step 2: Narrow Down
Now that you’ve brainstormed a list, it’s time to choose the one that resonates most deeply.
Ask yourself:
👉 Which word, if I leaned into it fully, would most transform how I live this year?
Some examples:
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Growth → if you’re leaning into personal development or business expansion
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Clarity → if you want to stop overthinking and finally take action
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Consistency → if you know follow-through has been the missing piece
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Patience → if you’re building something long-term and need to stay grounded
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Persistence → if you want to strengthen your resilience and not give up when challenges come
Once you’ve narrowed it down to one or two, don’t rush it. Sit with your word for a few days—or even a week. See how it feels in different situations.
👉 Does it still feel right after a tough day?
👉 Does it excite you when you think about applying it to your business goals?
In my own practice, the right word usually sticks. Even if I second-guess at first, the right one always rises to the surface and feels like, “Yes, this is it.”
And…if you want a little help coming up with your Word of the Year, use my Word of the Year Creator. It’s a superhelpful custom GPT to help you get out of “I’m not sure what word to pick” and into “Tha’ts my power word for the year!”
Try it for FREE here >>>
Step 3: Take Action
A power word only works if you use it. Once you’ve chosen yours, weave it into your daily life so it becomes a filter for your decisions.
Here are a few simple ways to keep it top of mind:
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Post-It notes around your house or office
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A phone wallpaper or laptop background
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Adding it to your journal entries
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Turning it into an affirmation you repeat daily
Then, when you face a decision—big or small—ask yourself:
👉 “Does this align with my word?”
That one question can stop you from chasing distractions and keep you centered on what really matters.
💡 Example: Let’s say your word of the year is consistency. You’ve set a goal to launch an online course. Instead of getting stuck in “someday” mode, you’d use your word to filter every step: consistently writing content, consistently showing up for your audience, consistently promoting instead of stopping when it feels uncomfortable.
Or maybe your word is adventure. When life starts to feel mundane, you can lean back into your word to remind yourself to say yes to opportunities that stretch you—even if they’re outside your comfort zone.
The point isn’t perfection. The point is progress. And your word will anchor you when motivation dips or things get messy (because they always do).
Why This Works
Momentum doesn’t come from setting 27 resolutions or hustling harder. It comes from alignment.
When you filter your choices through one simple word, you’re less likely to feel scattered or stuck. Instead, you’re reminded daily of the person you’re becoming.
And that’s how real change happens—one aligned decision at a time.
So whether your word is bold, ease, focus, or joy—let it guide you. Because sometimes, one word really can change everything.
Looking for More Goal Related Insights?
You may want to check out this dynamic trio:
Gratitude isn’t a Journal Prompt, It’s a Neural Power Move
Why You Can’t Focus and What to Do Before You Set Any Goals
51 Goals to Add to Your Vision Board
Ready for Your Next Step?
If you love the idea of using a single word to reset your mindset, you’ll find even more strategies in my book, Just Another Leap.
It’s packed with neuroscience-backed tools, stories, and no-fluff exercises to help you:
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✅ Get unstuck when life feels messy
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✅ Train your brain to filter for new opportunities
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✅ Build momentum in both your business and personal life
Grab your copy today, and give yourself the clarity you’ve been craving.
