10 important reasons to choose an inspirational word for the year 

The word that we choose for the year can be seen as the container for us for the coming twelve months.  It holds the boundaries of the things we want to put into our life and work. As such, whatever does not fit into this container is something that we say no to, or 'not now' to.

As a result, our chosen word can help us become truly intentional about how we live in the coming months.  It can govern what we decide to include and where we simply do not participate.  When we can hold our word for the year close to our heart for the coming 365 days, it can truly become our North Star; the essence of how we show up in the world.

A few years ago, my year prioritised my relationship with my life partner.  At that time, he was working long hours and where it was possible, I would arrange to meet up with him so that we could share dinner together.  Having the focus on my relationships made it easy for me to know what I was prioritising and why.

Our goal-setting becomes more purposeful when we have a word for the year because we can align our goals towards the essence of our chosen word.  When our goals amplify the expression of our word, they are aligned.  When they diminish our experience against this measure, we know that the goal is not aligned with our journey, at least for this year.

Choosing a word for the year therefore simplifies goal setting, because the assessment as to whether a goal is aligned or not becomes far easier.

In my case, in 2025 my focus on 'limitless' will have me centred on producing work that can go out into the world and reach people I cannot support through a one-to-one coaching model.  'Limitless' will include launching books, courses and growing and supporting my Facebook Greatness Tribe.  (This is a closed group, so just sent a 'request to join' if you'd like to be a part of the Tribe.)

The beauty of having a word for the year is that it inspires us to grow, whether on a personal or professional level, or both.  I believe that our life and work become better when we become better, so stretching in any area benefits all areas.

When carefully chosen, our word is something we are drawn towards, resulting in us stretching our capabilities. Therefore, thoughtfully choosing our word for the year acts as a catalyst for personal growth.

As I reflect on 2024, and how I lived my word of 'commitment', staying true to the intention of the word helped me stay the course through some challenges, that were largely of my own making.  However, my determination to get on top of these matters helped me remain focused, with the result being one that I was really pleased with.  Reminding myself of my commitment to resolving these matters is largely the driving force that enabled this success.

A guiding word comes into its own when we need to make decisions throughout the year.  It becomes a simple process of reflecting on whether an opportunity will take you closer or further away from the expression of what that word means for you.

There are times when we are not given a lot of time to make a decision and in these moments it is tremendously useful to have a guiding principle against which to assess and make choices.

In 2023, I took on some work that took me outside of my comfort zone.  It benefitted me in that it positioned me at a higher level than I'd previously played at.  For that reason alone, it was a good decision at the time.  However, if I reflect on 'limitless' for 2025, I wouldn't take on the role again this year, because the work is difficult, time-consuming and is no longer expansive for me.  Accordingly, I'll make a different decision in 2025 than I did in 2023.  

When we have chosen a word that resonates with us deeply, we can journey through the year with that word in our hearts. And when we do that, we offer ourselves the opportunity to walk with an awareness about how the essence of that word is expressed. 

When we're having a grumpy day, reminding ourselves about our intentions can help us shift our energy.  We can use the energetics of our word to hold ourselves to a higher standard in our way of being.  There is absolutely nothing grumpy about 'limitless'. It is one of the most positive, expansive and inspiring words I know.

We can use our chosen word to assess how well our everyday actions and behaviours are in tune with our word, and more importantly, what our word intends as our final goal.  It therefore becomes a yardstick for us, which is easily accessible and rapidly measurable. 

This is important because, at times, we can lack a yardstick against which to evaluate our work and life, and any opportunities that may come our way during the year.  When we have chosen a word for the year, this becomes a measure we can use to determine the fit of any opportunity that crosses our path over the forthcoming twelve months.

I love to quote Robin Sharma who says 'Every day is your life in miniature'.  We are not living a grand life unless we are experiencing grand days.  Each day becomes a microcosm of the macrocosm that stacks up to build towards a year that becomes grand, or limitless. 

A wonderful benefit to working with a word for the year is that it can serve as a great motivator for us.  When we hold the word in our space, we can hold its meaning up as the ultimate goal for our experience over the coming months.  When the excitement of the New Year wanes, and the grind of the year kicks in, our word can serve as a beacon for us to work towards. By simply remembering the word, we can access all that we have associated with it and feel the pull towards the outcome and experiences we intend.

If a word has no 'pull' for you, then I suggest that the word is not sufficiently motivating, or stretching, to you.  When I think about commitment last year, I still feel that sense of determination to do what it takes to reach success.  I can still access that feeling in my being.  Is it the same for you when it comes to your word for last year, and this year?

Similar to the previous points, having a word as the essence for a year provides a wonderful platform for daily mindfulness and reflection.  It encourages frequent check-ins to self-assess whether you are remaining in alignment with the essence of your word, and living true to the intention you set for the year.  Without a word for the year, measuring our results is more complex and staying the course for twelve months becomes more likely.

Many of us are quite numb as we navigate our daily existence.  The grind of our daily life causes us to diminish into survival mode.  Mindfulness serves as a beacon for us to be intentional in bringing joy, love, delight, laughter, wonder, expansion, curiosity, learning, and so much more into our daily experience. This can elevate us away from the daily grind toward great.  

Your chosen word is like a magic want that allows you to access the full spectrum of your goals in one moment.  When carefully and well chosen, your word will surface feelings of excitement and motivation, and reiginite forward momentum.

Emotion, when attached to goals, can be a tremendously powerful force, summoning not only our own energy but also that of the friendly Universe.  In a single moment, and/or through a simple movement that is anchored, we can access the full spectrum of what our word means to us and for us, pulling us towards its expression.

Similar to what I shared our commitment, when I say the word 'limitless' to myself, it conjures images and emotions of expansion, joy, elevation and a lightness of being.  Accessing this word immediately connects me to the experiences, outputs and way of being that I intend for 2025.   Again, does your word for the year access the same connection for you?

A key benefit to choosing a word for the year is the self-measure it provides as we journey.  As each week and month comes and goes, we can ask and assess whether we are living according to our word. We can check in and ascertain whether we are living according to the experiences and essence of our word.  Even if our word is significant, as I deem 'limitless' to be, it is better to aim for the stars and hit the Moon than to aim for the Moon and hit the wall. 

Let's choose to be in the stars!