First off, I have no idea without going back to look, what my word of the year for 2020 was. Because, lets face it… I didn’t stick to it past March anyway. So in hindsight, let’s pretend that the word was “distance” because in that case I nailed it. We all did. Well, except for the anti-maskers who denied covid was a legit threat until they lost one of their loved ones. Or worse, they didn’t lose someone and they continued to recklessly spread their germs around.
I checked back to last year’s blog post, and reminded myself that my word of the year for 2020 was push. I wanted to push myself to reach beyond the goals I had set for myself. That mean I wanted to run faster, workout harder, and stop making excuses when my life didn’t go the way I wanted.
Instead, I feel like 2020 pushed me off a cliff.
Not to say the pandemic wasn’t a valid excuse, but needless to say I didn’t hit any of my other goals for 2020. There were no races, the gym was closed most of the time, and I lost all my motivation to leave the house (even after we were allowed to do so.) Then my husband left me, which was a shocker and threw a bigger wrench in my life. Without any warning I was selling my house, job hunting during a pandemic with a six year career gap, and struggling to make ends meet. I pushed myself alright. I pushed myself to make things work, instead of giving up, even though I wanted to. Life’s not fair. Nothing about 2020 was supposed to happen, and the entire year is a dark time in our life.
What is Word of the Year
For some reason people think that at the stroke of midnight on 12/31, when New Years Day rolls around, you suddenly have chance to change your life over night. That isn’t true, at all. Life changes need to be intentional. They take time, and consistency. Declaring your goals is great, but self improvement is more than that. A word of the year is not a new idea, but probably the best idea, for aligning your focus with your longterm actions each year.
Instead of New Years Resolutions, which are usually people trying to change things they dislike about themselves, let focus on a longterm, intentional focus. Don’t try to fix little things in one area, focus on becoming your best self across the board. Your Word or the Year (WOTY for short) should be able to motivate self growth in multiple areas in your life- not just your body, not just your job, not just your relationship or family.
Why Choose a Word of the Year for 2021?
It’s fun, and also, it keeps you focused and able to stay on track for the year. After last year took off like a horse without a cart, I think we can all agree that we need a little more focus in our life. (Focus is actually a great WOTY!)
After you choose your word, you should announce it. Maybe that means posting it on social media, or perhaps you will just tell your partner. Heck, there’s nothing that says you need to tell someone else at all- just write it down or speak it out loud to manifest it into your life. By declaring your word to the world, you have the accountability of everyone else who has also chosen a WOTY 2021. Accountability is huge, both from yourself and your networks. Shout your word on social media (use the hashtag #WOTY2021), doodle it in your notebooks, make it the lock screen on your phone. Heck- write it on your bathroom mirror with lipstick, or use a sticky note. You want to see the word, embrace the word, and intentionally focus on the word every day for the next 365 days.
My Word of the Year for 2021 is…
I think as a country, we are all going to rise in some form this year, as we put back the pieces of what is arguably the worst year of our lives. But for me, it has had so much destruction that for a few weeks I didn’t know if I would be able to recover. I didn’t think I could make it through, let alone get past all the malice being thrown at me. I felt defeated, and I felt betrayed. When January rolled around, things didn’t get better. In fact, they got worse initially. For the first time in months, I can breathe (figuratively, though I know so many are literally struggling to breathe as well, thanks to this virus).
It has been a long time goal of mine to get a phoenix tattoo. I actually got a tattoo a few months back during the pandemic (read about it here), but now more than ever I feel like a phoenix is super symbolic. I have not only fallen and risen before, but I will continue to rise from the ashes every time I struggle. It might be cliche, but it fits for me, and that is the most important part about choosing a word of the year- it works for you. It doesn’t need to be deep and profound. It doesn’t have to be unique. It is a word that motivates you to be your best self.
Are you ready to choose a word of the year 2021?
Twenty One Words to choose from for your Word of the Year in 2021
- Adventure
- Balance
- Brave
- Build
- Clarity
- Connect
- Forgive
- Grace
- Gratitude
- Inspire
- Intention
- Imagine
- Listen
- More/Less
- Renew
- Resilient
- Revival
- Satisfaction
- Self
- Thrive
- Wonder
Do you have a Word of the Year? Let me know in the comments below which word you are focusing on for 2021.
My word for 2021 is Real. 2020 set me back big time from the goals I had set for that year. I gravitated to feeling lost, sorry for myself and let procrastination take hold of me. There still are many unknowns for this new year but I want to show up a better man for myself, family and friends. I want to have my actions and emotions match up and be consistent with my goals. I picked Real because I believe that staying true to bettering myself is actually going to get me to becoming the real me.