The Power of Choosing ONE Word for 2025
Last week, while having coffee with a friend, she asked me what my New Year's resolutions were. I watched her eyes widen as I told her I wasn't making any. Instead, I explained, I was choosing one word to guide my entire year. "Just one word?" she asked, skeptical. "How can one word do what a whole list of resolutions can't?"
That's exactly the question I want to explore with you today.
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Reflection prompts to assess where you’ve been and where you want to go.
Tools for brainstorming and narrowing down your perfect word.
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Think about how many times you've written out detailed New Year's resolutions, only to forget them by February. Research shows that 80% of resolutions fail by mid-February, largely because we overwhelm ourselves with too many changes at once. But one word? That's something your brain can handle. It's simple enough to remember, yet powerful enough to transform.
Our brains are fascinating organs, and they respond remarkably well to simplicity. When we try to focus on multiple goals, our attention splinters, and our cognitive load increases. But a single word acts like a mental anchor, giving our brain a clear, consistent filter through which to process decisions and opportunities.
My friend from the coffee shop initially thought choosing one word sounded too simple, maybe even a bit naive. But here's what makes it powerful: your chosen word becomes a lens through which you view your entire year. It's not just a word – it's a compass, a decision-making tool, and a daily reminder of your deeper intentions.
Let's say you choose the word "Connect" for 2025. Suddenly, you start seeing opportunities for connection everywhere. That lunch invitation you might have declined because you're "too busy"? Through the lens of "Connect," it becomes a priority. The temptation to scroll through your phone during family dinner? Your word gently reminds you to put it down and engage.
The process of choosing your word is as important as the word itself. Some people know their word instantly – it practically chooses them. For others, it's a journey of reflection. Either way is perfect, because this isn't about getting it "right." It's about finding what resonates with where you are and where you want to go.
Sometimes your word appears in unexpected places. Maybe you keep seeing it in books you're reading, or hearing it in conversations. Maybe it shows up in your journal repeatedly, or maybe it's the advice you find yourself giving others most often. Pay attention to these patterns – they might be pointing you toward your word.
Unlike resolutions that require constant tracking and monitoring, your word becomes part of your daily vocabulary. Write it on your mirror. Set it as your phone wallpaper. Create art with it. Let it become so ingrained in your consciousness that it naturally influences your choices.
What's fascinating about this practice is how your relationship with your word evolves over the year. A word that meant one thing to you in January might reveal new layers of meaning by June. This organic growth is part of the magic – your word grows with you.
I've seen this work in remarkable ways. A colleague chose "Boundaries" and finally started leaving work at 6 PM. A friend picked "Adventure" and found herself saying yes to opportunities she would have previously feared. Another chose "Peace" and made decisions throughout the year by asking, "Will this bring more peace into my life?"
Your word can influence more than just personal decisions. It can shape your professional life, your relationships, your creative projects, and your community involvement. It becomes a subtle but powerful force in all areas of your life.
Sometimes people worry that one word feels too limiting. But here's the truth: your word isn't a cage – it's a spotlight. It doesn't restrict you; it illuminates your path. And within that single word often lies a universe of meaning and possibility.
As you move through the year with your word, take time to reflect on how it's showing up in your life. How has it changed your decisions? What has it taught you about yourself? These reflections often reveal growth you might have otherwise missed.
As we stand on the threshold of 2025, I invite you to consider: what one word could shape your year? What single concept, if focused on consistently, could help you become more of who you want to be?
Maybe it's "Growth" or "Joy" or "Create." Perhaps it's "Persist" or "Balance" or "Trust." Whatever word you choose, let it be one that both challenges and excites you, one that feels both aspirational and attainable.
Remember, you're not just picking a word – you're choosing a lens through which to view your entire year. Make it one that inspires you to wake up each morning ready to live into its meaning.
What will your word be?
