Choosing a Guiding Word for the New Year
I’ve always been a planner and a goal digger, and each year I plan and write down goals for the upcoming year. This year I learned about a way to focus those goals around the higher intention you have for your life and I wanted to share that concept with you. It’s called choosing a guiding word and it begins with asking yourself some questions before you start to make your annual plans.
- Based on where you are today, what is it that you know you need/want to focus on next in order for you to take your life to the next level?
- Put what you want to do next year second and instead focus on how you want to feel. What word would guide that feeling?
- What kind of experiences do you want to have in your life next year? What would open those doors for you?
Help Choosing Your Guiding Word
It took me a couple of weeks to choose my guiding word. This was my first time choosing and I wanted to make sure I chose the right one that would fit the entire year.
I happened to be part of a group that is planning for 2018 and I was fortunate enough to have a guide in this process so I created a little guide for you also. You can download that for free at the end of this post.
I suggest you meditate when choosing your word for the year. This is a sacred and special ritual for yourself so don’t rush it and make sure to do it when you have ample time, you can be alone and you can focus on yourself. This is not the kind of relaxation meditation, it is the concentrated, spiritual connection kind. You will be connecting with God and receiving inspiration so make sure you allow yourself to honor it and treat it like the special interaction it is.
I do my meditating when my husband is at work, kids are at school and I am home alone. I sit comfortably, fire up my diffuser with essential oils that speak to my heart, I play music that also inspires my soul and I keep my journal and a pen nearby so I can write down what I see, hear and feel.
Pray. Give thanks for this year, it’s highs and lows, and ask God for guidance for the next year.
Think about this year and what you have learned. Think about what you are drawn to for next year. If this year was full of chaos you may be drawn to peace for next year. If this year was full of fear you may be drawn to faith next. Meditate and envision yourself next year the way you want to feel, be, etc. Listen to what your heart is telling you. When you connect with words and feelings write them down. If your spirit reminds you of scripture or sayings, write it down. Stay there and meditate until you feel it’s complete.
Use Your Word
Once your word is chosen you can do an exercise called mind mapping to focus on how you want to incorporate your word into the next year. Look at the important categories of your life and choose how you can use your word to guide you in each of them. From there you can determine your goals with your word in mind.
My Word
This year I choose Believe as my word. I did my mind mapping and then I took it a step further and created a little graphic for myself to put on my phone. I created my goals for the next year and next I'll be making a vision board centered around my word and my goals.
Here is the visual reminder I made for myself. This is not my artwork, I found it on Pinterest and credit for the artwork goes to Nicole Erfan.
I hope this post inspires you to choose a guiding word for the new year. If you want help getting started fill in the form below to get my free printable. Make sure you share with me what word you choose and how you plan to use it. Here is to an intentional and focused new year!
Want your own free guide to help you choose your own guiding word? Snag yours here!