For the past 5+ years, I have followed a specific ritual at the beginning of each new year.

For the life of me, I cannot remember where I first heard of this idea, but its simplicity belies its power.

Simply stated, choose a word—one word – as your theme for an entire year.

For decades, my company selected an annual and quarterly theme to rally around.  Normally, these were inspirational little phrases intended to increase our motivation and buy-in to the goals and plans of the company. 

I think having your own, personal, word of the year can aid you in accomplishing the same thing—but for your personal goals and plans.

Last year, my word was FLOURISH.

Flourish means to experience exceptional growth in a healthy environment, and it was the perfect word for me in 2020. 

Some past words I had selected were ABUNDANCE, GRATITUDE, GROWTH, and PATIENCE. My thought process was that I should choose a word that I wanted to see more of in the year. 

In the case of the word PATIENCE, I was attempting to increase that characteristic in myself.  It’s the only word I’ve ever traded out of part way through the year.

Why? 

It worked too well.

You see, the Lord began to put obstacle after obstacle in my pathway, and it dawned on me that each obstacle gave me the opportunity to elect to be patient. I decided I had made a mistake 😊. 

Since that time, I have done two things. I have sought words that tend to be aspirational or that would attract positive outcomes. And – I have attempted to gain wisdom from God, through prayer and quiet reflection before adopting a word as my annual theme.

This year, I have added to the selection process.

This year, after adopting my word, which happens to be BELIEVE, I immediately sought a scripture that would serve as an anchor for it in my heart.

Mark 11:24 is my 2021 anchor.

“Therefore I say to you, ALL things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted to you.”

Jesus was a big proponent of praying to God and asking for his blessings. He also instructed His followers to believe for the granting of the prayer before it actually occurred. 

This, I believe, is powerful!

In 2021, my intention is to pray, ask and believe!

Have you selected your theme word yet for 2021?

Have you selected a scripture to anchor you as the year unfolds and your goals begin to blossom?

Reach out to me at monica@sharedgoalsconsulting.com and let me know what you’ve chosen.

If you need a handy resource for scripture verses that align with goal setting and getting, I have created a handy resource for this, but it’s currently only available on request.

Words.

Words are powerful.

Choose your word for 2021, and choose well!