Your Words of the Year (and Why They Matter)

January 9, 2025
Personal Branding

As we approach the start of a new year, many of us begin to reflect on where we’ve been and where we’re headed. For some, this means setting resolutions or creating goals. For others, it’s about adopting a word (or words) of the year to guide their focus, intentions, and actions.

Choosing a word of the year is more than a trendy exercise; it’s a powerful practice for intentional growth and clarity. By distilling your aspirations into a single word or set of words, you create a simple yet profound anchor to guide your decisions and keep you aligned with your values.

In this blog, we’ll explore why choosing words of the year can transform your personal and professional life, share practical tips for selecting your words, and reflect on my own journey with this practice over the years.

Why Choose Words of the Year?

At its core, the words-of-the-year practice is about mindfulness and intention. Unlike resolutions, which can often feel rigid and prescriptive, your word (or words) of the year offers flexibility and room for interpretation. It becomes a compass that helps you:

Clarify Priorities: ✨ A word of the year distills what truly matters to you, cutting through the noise of external expectations.
Stay Focused: When you’re faced with decisions, your word acts as a reminder of the bigger picture. It’s a touchstone for evaluating whether an opportunity aligns with your intentions.
Cultivate Personal Growth: Words of the year help you lean into areas where you want to grow, encouraging a mindset of continuous improvement.
Build Resilience: Life’s challenges become easier to navigate when you have a guiding principle. Your word can help you reframe obstacles and stay motivated.
Celebrate Progress: Reflecting on how your chosen words shaped your year offers a sense of accomplishment and gratitude.

In my experience, this practice has been transformative. By selecting intentional words, I’ve created a lens through which to view my year—a way to reimagine challenges and opportunities alike.

My Journey with Words of the Year

Looking back on the words I’ve chosen over the years, I can see how they’ve shaped my life and career:

2017: Nurture, Gratitude: This was a year of sowing seeds. I focused on nurturing relationships and cultivating gratitude for the present moment.
2018: Relationships, Resource: Recognizing the value of collaboration and the importance of being a resource to others helped me strengthen connections and provide value.
2019: Growth, Partnership: This was a year of expansion. I sought opportunities for growth and embraced partnerships that aligned with my goals.
2020: Create, Launch: Amid global upheaval, these words reminded me to focus on bringing ideas to life despite uncertainty.
2021: Reimagine, Evolve, Bigger Game: These words encouraged me to think differently, embrace change, and aim higher.
2022: Patience, Purpose, Prayer: I leaned into slowing down, aligning with my purpose, and deepening my spiritual practice.
2023: Collaboration, Community, Creation: This was a year of collective effort and building meaningful connections.
2024: Empathy, Uncomfortable, Mindset: These words represented my commitment to understanding others, embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and fostering a resilient mindset.

Each year’s words reflect the season I was in and the season I aspired to step into. They’ve provided both direction and reflection, helping me stay aligned with my values and adapt to life’s twists and turns.

How to Choose Your Words of the Year

Selecting the right word(s) requires introspection and intention. Here are some tips to help you choose words that will resonate deeply with you:

1. Reflect on the Past Year

Take some time to evaluate the year you’re leaving behind. What did you learn? What challenges did you face? What brought you joy? This reflection will help you identify themes or areas where you want to grow.

2. Visualize Your Ideal Year Ahead

Think about where you want to be a year from now. ️ What do you want to feel, achieve, or experience? Imagine your future self and consider what qualities or mindsets will help you get there.

3. Consider Your Values

Your word(s) should align with your core values. For example, if authenticity is important to you, you might choose words like “Genuine” or “Integrity.”

4. Brainstorm Freely

Set a timer for 10 minutes and write down any words that come to mind. ✏️ Don’t overthink it—just let the ideas flow. Afterward, review your list and circle the ones that resonate most.

5. Choose Words That Challenge and Inspire

The best words stretch you without feeling overwhelming. They should spark curiosity and motivate you to take action.

6. Limit to 1-3 Words

While it’s tempting to choose many words, keeping it to a maximum of three ensures you stay focused. Each word should have a distinct purpose or theme.

7. Test Them Out

Say your chosen words aloud and reflect on how they make you feel. ️ Do they excite you? Do they feel meaningful? If not, revisit your list and keep refining.

Making Your Words Actionable

Once you’ve chosen your words, the next step is to integrate them into your life. Here’s how:

1. Write Them Down

Place your words where you’ll see them regularly—on a sticky note, as your phone wallpaper, or in your journal. ✍️ Visibility keeps them top of mind.

2. Set Micro-Goals

For each word, identify small, actionable steps you can take throughout the year. ✅ For example, if your word is “Empathy,” you might aim to actively listen during conversations or read books that expand your understanding of others.

3. Create Reminders

Set monthly reminders to reflect on your words. ⏰ Ask yourself: Am I living in alignment with these intentions? What adjustments can I make?

4. Incorporate Them into Your Routine

Find ways to weave your words into your daily life. ️ For instance, if your word is “Mindset,” you might start each morning with affirmations or journaling.

5. Celebrate Progress

As you move through the year, take time to acknowledge how your words are shaping your journey. Celebrate the small wins and the growth they represent.

The Ripple Effect of Intentional Words

Choosing words of the year isn’t just about personal growth; it’s also about the impact you have on others. When you align your actions with your intentions, you inspire those around you to do the same. Your words become a beacon, signaling your commitment to living authentically and purposefully.

For introverts especially, this practice can be a quiet yet powerful way to build a personal brand. Your words reflect your values and priorities, helping you show up consistently and meaningfully in your personal and professional life.

Ready to get started?

The practice of choosing words of the year is a simple yet profound way to bring clarity, focus, and intention into your life. ✨ It’s an opportunity to reflect on where you’ve been, envision where you’re going, and chart a course that feels authentic and empowering.

As you consider your own words for 2025, I encourage you to take your time, trust your intuition, and embrace the journey they’ll lead you on. Whether your focus is empathy, growth, creation, or something entirely different, your words have the power to shape your year in ways you might not yet imagine.

To setting your intentions for 2025,
Leanne

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PS. If one of your words is related to brand growth, kickstart your brand discovery by taking this Personal Branding Strengths Quiz. Cheers and enjoy!