For nearly 3 years now, I’ve been setting an intention for the year ahead with a Word.

Just one Word to guide our decisions, thoughts and actions.

It helps to center us and is a good checking point when we feel torn about a choice or are uncertain about a path to take.

This year, after spending a lot of time in reflection, prayer and discussion, we reached the conclusion that our word for the year will be a repeat.

That’s right.

Our word for 2015 was GROWTH and grow we did.

We grew as a family by taking our first overseas trip together.

We grew our relationships with friends and neighbors.

We grew our business knowledge and relationships by attending the Problogger conference in Australia.

We grew our revenue to over $150K by working with amazing clients doing incredible things worldwide.

We grew our readership with a 30-Day Challenge that brought incredible results.

We grew with gratitude, grace and grit.

Yes, there were setbacks and challenges, hurdles and obstacles, but our focus was clear: to GROW.

So inspiring and encouraging was this word that when we deliberated over what to choose as our intention of the year, it kept coming back to Grow.

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” ~Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was so right. Continual growth gives meaning to everything else.

With that, our focus and word for this year is GROWTH.

Grow more.

Grow to reach not just thousands of entrepreneurs but millions.

Grow in personal relationships and friendships that stand the strength of time.

Grow stronger self-care and health habits.

Growth in patience and persistence. Both at home and at work.

Growth while keeping our eyes on our goals and our grass, because that is all that matters.

How You Can Choose Your Word for the Year

When it comes to choosing a word for the year, how do you go about it?

For us, it usually comes down to thinking about what we want to focus on in the year and reflect on that.

We also, review the year gone by and see what went well and what could have been better.

We discuss a few words around to see which one feels right. I pray about it, seeking guidance and clarity.

We review our family values.

And then, when we’re absolutely sure that this is the word to help us set the intention for the year ahead, we decide on it.

How you can choose your word totally depends on you.

You can:

• journal about it,
• review your year,
• reflect on what you’d like the year ahead to bring,
• make a list of words that feel “good” or “right” to you,
• discuss it with your mastermind community

There is no one way, right way or wrong way to choose a word for the year. THAT is the best part.

How Will We Implement Our Word for the Year

A word of the year is only good when you implement it. Otherwise, it is just that. A word.

To use it intentionally, you must set goals. Not too many, because trust me, you will get overwhelmed and not get anything done.

We have 5. You can pick 3,5,7, 9 but I wouldn’t want to get into the double digits.

Once you have those goals down, break them into actionable steps.

How will you make that goal happen? Set deadlines, where you can. The Type-A in mine thrives on deadlines, but if you’re more Type-B, just go with the action steps.

Once you have your goals and action steps down, then, all that remains is… yep, you guessed it, taking that action.

In my next post, I’ll be sharing our goals for the year, some changes that you’ll be seeing here and also, a gorgeous goal setting worksheet to help YOU implement your word of the year with ease and intention.

Your turn. Do you choose a word for the year? Or maybe 3 words? Share with us in the comments!