Dec 24, 20234 min read

Indomitable, Tenacity, Grit, Believe...

What is your word of the year?

Or better yet, what was your word of the year this year in 2023? Do you feel like you "lived" up to it? How often did you have to remind yourself about it?

Instead of a rigid resolution, a Word of the Year is your constant (yet gentle) reminder to focus on creating positive change. Use your Word of the Year to help guide your decisions and continue moving towards what you want.

Although some indulge in affirmations (which can also be beneficial), the strength and direct, one word combination allows one to accept the guidance with a powerful punch.

A Word of the Year is your “mission statement” for the next 12 months. You use it to guide and inspire you when making decisions throughout the year.

You may also take this a step further and create one for your work place, team, or family too. However, your word of the year, should be "yours." So how does one discover their word of the year?

Reflect on the past year (flip through your 2023 planner, there are probably a lot of reminders in there on events, feelings, and then some...
Think about your values, intentions and goals for 2024. There's a difference between values, intentions and goals. And you have heard this one before... THE WHY!!!! Why does this word have meaning to you?

VALUES- Your values are the beliefs and principles that you believe are important in the way that you live and work.

INTENTIONS- New Year's Intentions are ways you intend to live more fully into your values in the next 12 months. They are not specific goals nor specific resolutions.

GOALS- A goal or objective is an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envision, plan and commit to achieve. People endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines.

Brainstorm. or Brain Dump, I like to call it... take a blank sheet of paper and just start writing as things come to you...even if they are wild, crazy, or even seem "dumb" to you.
Make a vision board. ( ahhh yes, I've spoken a lot about these!)
Live your word.

The one thing that isn't mentioned above is TAKING THE TIME to BE STILL and actually think about it.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; ( in other words, take a time out when poop hits the fan or you need guidance, direction, or reassurance... or "A WORD" of the year)

Not a believer? Do you need to be to be in order to be in agreement that we (as humans) now move at a far faster pace than we can even keep up with? Don't believe me? Look back through your planner, where you able to pivot, adjust, and execute?

ME NEITHER!.. .but that is where I remember to BE STILL. (and call on God). Who in turn may have brought your that "Word of the Year" knowing you would need simple guidance at times.

With the holidays upon us, no one wants to feel guilty for the past year and can easily push it aside until January hits and be one of the many who end up bailing on their new year's resolution and making changes because why?.... I'm guessing it's because of the overwhelm, because we are not THRIVING we are only surviving and living at that uncontrollable fast paced life.

We've learned from some of my previous blog posts that there are things in life we can't control but some we can....and we do so by making wise decisions, keeping boundaries, but also continue growing.

A fast-paced life often means having to get things done quickly and efficiently. This can lead to time pressure, which can significantly cause stress. Information overload: With the constant flow of information and distractions in our modern world, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and empty.

So if it doesn't overwhelm you too much, if you can make the time to be still, here are some examples of "Words of the Year" you may gain inspiration from.

I've picked my word of the year, now what?

Here comes that vision board. Do you see why I encourage scheduling 30 minutes a week for "CEO" ...YOU time? A vision board will also take some time but can be so effective. There are YEARLY vision boards that include different aspects (career/spiritual/fitness/financials...) and specific goal vision boards.

If you are still having trouble, you can even buy a kit! click

But in order to move forward, it's sometimes important to reflect back.

That is why I suggest scrolling through your yearly pictures, flipping through your yearly planner, brain dumping thoughts, feelings, missed goals (and just because they were missed then, doesn't mean you can't go for them now!), in order to see:

WHAT WORKED?
WHAT DIDN'T?
WHAT CAN I CHANGE IN ORDER TO HAVE A BETTER OUTCOME THIS YEAR?

But why Michele? Isn't it a bad idea to dwell on the past?

Reflection provides an "educated" break.
It helps you track your progress (which if you didn't know, research proves your success rate is much higher when you do! )
A lot of the reason being you release dopamine (the happy hormone)
As mentioned, it's a learning experience from your failures (failing forward)
And it's a great reminder of WHY you set out for these things in the first place!

My word of the year for 2023 was EMPOWER.

Do you think the video, my previous yearly posts, reflect this word?

As you spend time with your family this year, ask yourself what you can do to give them the best of you not what is left of you!

"If you don't change anything, nothing will change!"

Join us, for more mindset, holistic nutrition, vision board/goals setting, injury prevention, form, technique, overall fitness adventure and fun THIS APRIL!

space is limited to 5 people! All levels welcome! Makes a great last minute gift!

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