Happy New Year! Woo hoo– we made it through 2020! We ROCK!
So, 2021, huh?
Have you heard of this idea of identifying a one word theme for the year?
The idea is to capitalize on the moment, the sense of freshness we associated with the new year, so you can establish a focus that will make a difference in making this year a great one for you.
Maybe you’ve experienced more conflict and tension with others than you like, or your work or family environment have been feeling heavy; maybe words like play or harmony could be transformative for you.
I have a client who has experienced a lot of suffering in recent months and years who identified dawn as a theme, as in “it’s the dawn of a new era.” That inspired me!
When I was feeling STUCK, I found words like breakthrough and quantum leap really helped. Any time during the year that I felt stuck, I would ask myself “what is one action I can take to get unstuck right now, to have a mini–breakthrough?”
I invite you to find a one-word theme that inspires you, that focuses you on an idea, a feeling, or an area of your life that you would like to refresh, advance, or improve. Some possibilities:
- Love
- Dawn
- Breakthrough
- Play
- Peace/ Harmony
- Growth
- Courage/ courageous
- Freedom
- Forward/ Momentum
- Abundance/ Prosperity
- Victory/ victorious
- Invincible/ Unstoppable/ Indomitable
- Health/ Vitality
- Joy
Finding a one-word theme that inspires you can be fun!
Now, let’s add something to this practice to make it more likely to make a real difference for our lives. In addition to choosing an aspirational word, a word for what you want to achieve or have more of in your life this year, let’s choose a word for what we will DO or BE in order to have or achieve that.
I don’t know if you know that visualization as a practice can be beneficial, but it can also be detrimental. The difference lies in whether you also visualize doing the WORK required to achieve that vision.
Did you know that a lot of top athletes use a lot of visualization to be ready to succeed in their sport? They visualize winning the tennis match or being the first to cross the finish line so that, when they get to the match or the race, they have already practiced winning in their mind. That can make a real difference for their success.
But top athletes also know that they must practice TAKING THE ACTIONS needed to achieve that success. They must practice in their daily lives, and they can practice in their minds, too.
And that part about the ACTIONS they will take, how they will SHOW UP to achieve that success– that part is important.
Research suggests that visualizing the end result (getting an A on the test) without visualizing taking the actions to achieve it (studying) actually produces POORER results than not engaging in visualization at all!
So, if my goal/ focus for the year is ABUNDANCE or PROSPERITY, I will greatly increase my chances of success if I identify ACTIONS I want to take to achieve abundance. These might include basic good financial habits like creating and managing to a budget.
It doesn’t just happen by magic because I envision the end result, right?!
Similarly, if I have a focus on HEALTH and VITALITY this year, I want to identify specific habits I will build that will give me that health and vitality.
I achieved massive transformation in my health and vitality in recent years, but it is a commitment to maintaining the habits that work that will keep me in a healthy, vital body for the long term.
So, here’s my suggestion to you:
- choose your one-word aspirational theme for the year,
- and choose a word or a phrase about how you will BE, how you will SHOW UP, to make that aspiration a reality.
Examples of how you might SHOW UP, to take the actions that will get you the results:
- Determined/ Persistent—never give up!
- Open / Curious
- Proactive/ Forward -Thinking/ Agency
- Confident/ Fearless
- Limits/ Boundaries/ Integrity
- Real/ Genuine/ Honest
- Organized/ Disciplined
- Generous/ Selfish
What about you? What are some ideas you have about an aspirational word theme for the year?
And what is a one-word “way of being” that captures how you will achieve those aspirations?
I have attached a Worksheet here in case that helps you organize your thoughts.
I would love to hear some of the words you’re mulling over. Just respond to this email. I would love to hear from you!
Warm regards,
Dr. Ginny
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