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How does one choose one word to focus on for each year? Many years ago, a friend turned me on to the concept of choosing One Word rather than setting New Year’s resolutions.
Why bring this up right now? Thanksgiving is barely in our rearview mirror and Christmas looms ever larger in our windshield.
And then there’s next year. I know, some are thinking, “Just let me get through Christmas, then I’ll consider next year.”
I get it. I do.
Is it terrible to begin thinking about what will guide our 2023? For years, I’ve been a “choose one word” gal. Now is a good time to think about this because we still have a few weeks before Christmas, and hopefully, the crazy hasn’t dictated our every minute yet.
I’ve begun praying about my One Word for next year. Some years, God reveals it in October. Other years (ahem, 2022), He didn’t show me my word until January 1st.
6 Inspiring Ways to Choose One Word—I’ve been praying about what my One Word will be for next year #tellhisstory #intentional #oneword Click To TweetPeople have various ways they land on their one word. Here are a few ideas to begin preparing our hearts to choose one word for 2023.
How to choose one word for the coming year
One thing I do is begin praying in September for my next word.
Ask questions
Here are questions I ask to help narrow in on my next word:
- I consider my current word and the lessons God’s been teaching me. Is there a similar word that seems to go in the direction God’s already showing me?
- What have I struggled with over recent months? Last year, I dealt with a lot of fear based on things going on in my life. As I prayed, God brought words and concepts to mind. What I landed on was, “Cling.” As in, Cling to Jesus. This has been my visual and my focus through this year.
- How do I want to grow character-wise? Having hope? Focus? Joy?
Observe
Look for words that make continued appearances in our Bible reading, conversations, and in situations we face. If a word shows up unexpectedly a few times, start a list of possibilities for next year’s One Word focus.
Consider
What others do to choose one word for the year
Lisa at Lisa Notes has three great suggestions for honing in on your one word:
Listen—to songs, Scriptures, and messages that keep cropping up in our lives
Abbreviate—Narrow our focus to one main word or concept that fits with this season in our lives
Purpose—Decide why we want to choose one word.
Read her great post (linked above) to go more in-depth on these three steps.
Another helpful post is found at Mountain Modern Life.
Some people contemplate changes they want to make in their lives and choose one word that gives them focus toward that end.
Others consider goals they desire to meet and decide on a word that moves them toward those goals.
I want to be directed by God in the selection of my One Word. He knows what my next year holds. He’s aware of the coming struggles, changes, sorrows, and joys I’ll face. And, He knows better than I what I’ll need to walk through them. I lean on Him for direction as I choose one word.
6 Inspiring Ways to Choose One Word—He knows the struggles, changes, sorrows, and joys I’ll face. And, He knows better than I what I’ll need to walk through them #tellhisstory #oneword #trustgod Click To Tweet
Ways to be intentional about living in our One Word
Once we have chosen our One Word, what should we do with it?
My initial quiet times in the new year are focused on helping me understand my one word in various contexts. In my One Word Journal, I write:
- definitions of the word
- List synonyms
- List antonyms
- Bible verses that use this word in the ways I feel God is showing me to focus on.
- I pray, asking God for my key verse/passage for the year. And I study that verse or passage in-depth.
- I journal about why I think this word is the one for me for that year.
I create a visual to help me remember what God is teaching me. Some years, I’ve purchased a bracelet with my one word on it. Most years, I find a pretty photograph and add my key Bible verse to it. Then I frame it and keep it on my desk as a reminder.
Throughout the year, I journal about what God teaches me regarding my One Word. It’s always interesting to look back and re-read what God has shown me through the year.
CONCLUSION:
To say I love choosing one word and focusing on it for the year is an understatement. This discipline has opened my heart to the Lord in ways I never expected. Though choosing One Word takes time and intentional effort, this practice has brought me to a more honest place with my Father. And that’s where I need to be.
What about you? How do you prepare for the beginning of a new year? If you are a One Word person, do you know (and are you willing to share) your 2023 One Word?
*****Next week, we’ll meet back here for the first post of December. 😊
Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To TweetMost weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
I love the thought you put into choosing your word, Jeanne. My process is a bit more intuitive … Sometime in the fall, I think, “hmmm, I wonder what my word for next year will be?” and then I wait for a word to lodge in my mind and heart. 🙂 This year’s word is “dawn,” and while I do have a bracelet with the word on it, I’ve mostly paid attention to the actual sunrise and what it has been teaching me. Nothing earth-shattering, but good lessons for this nest-emptying season of my life. Hugs, friend.
I love that there are many ways to select a word for the year. 🙂 I tend to be a details-gal, so this way works super well for me, but it’s not for everyone. 🙂 I love how you open your heart to the Lord’s promptings and He gives you one. I also love that you learned so much through “dawn”!
I have done WOTY for the past two years, Jeanne, and it has been such a deep and rich journey. I feel like the Lord has led me deep, and yet in a fun way. I am so thankful! Great tips here!
I’ve found focusing on a WOTY is deep and rich as well. I almost feel like it’s a bit of an adventure. I’m never sure what God is going to teach me, how He will change my perspective and my understanding, and where He will cause my word to show up in a year. Thanks so much for your visit!
I am inspired how you choose to wait for God to reveal your One Word, Jeanne. These past 12 months I feel like I’ve been rushing more than reflecting, always moving forward to the next thing on the agenda (and failing on getting all done that intended). The pressure is heavy, so I am thinking about letting go of doing a One Word, but you’ve inspired me to go to God with it, rather than push my own ideas!
Lynn, I find it challenging to keep a healthy balance between reflecting and doing (or rushing). The pressure to DO can be so heavy. I hope you hear clearly from God what He wants for you in the coming year. 🙂
You’re getting me so excited about my new word for 2023! I don’t know what it is yet, but I will implement some new things as I ponder the possibilities thanks to your post!
Yay! I hope you’ll share when you discover what your one word is. 🙂
Great tips Jeanne.
Thanks so much for reading, Paula!
These are interesting ideas, Jeanne.
Thanks for taking the time to read, Kathy! 🙂
Jeanne, hi! Even though I don’t do a one word anymore, I’m always fascinated by those who do, how they choose that word, how they live it out, how they keep from letting it go by the wayside (that was me.) You’re in good company with Lisa, for sure. She has such an encouraging community.
Bless you in it all!
Hello, my friend. I’ve had years where my word has gone by the wayside too. Lisa is the best! Thanks so much for stopping by!
I love your tips here Jeanne! I’ve adopted this habit since my first year of blogging,
as I hadn’t heard about it before then.
This year’s ‘ask intentionally’ has been interesting.
Bless you, Jennifer
Jennifer, I can imagine your “ask intentionally” has been interesting in a lot of different ways! Have you blogged about it? I’d love to read.
I blogged about it in A Theme for 2022
https://teawithjennifer.blog/2022/01/07/2022/
I do need to update the journey again soon though 😊
Thanks for the link. Ask and Intentional…I imagine you’ve learned a lot about each of these words and how they intertwine! I’ll look forward to reading your update when you offer it. 🙂
Jeanne,
I am in awe of the thought and prayer you put into choosing your “one word!” I wish I could say the same. I’ve chosen words for the past several years. Sometimes they truly are a guiding principle. Other times, what I had in mind for “my” word takes on a whole different meaning through the lens of “God’s” word! This year I kind of feel like I let myself down. You’ve given me/us some great tips to hone in on our word for 2023. By the way, I almost picked “Cling” for my word for 2022 and as it turns out — I did a lot of clinging.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I love how God directs each of us in just the way we need so we can draw closer to Him. I’ve also had those years when what I thought the word was going to teach me/do in me turned out very differently than I expected. 🙂 I haven’t known anyone else who’s considered the word “Cling” for a one word focus. I’ve done a lot of clinging too!
I love reading about the deep thinking you go through to choose your word, Jeanne. Also how you delve into a verse and the meaning of the word and keep a journal of it. I didn’t choose a word this year, and I don’t know for sure if I will this next year, but I still love to read what others have come up with and how they play it out throughout the year. 🙂 Love and blessings to you!
Trudy, I am hoping this post is helpful and not overwhelming. 😉 I do what works for me. I love when others share what works for them. I so appreciate you, my friend. Sending you love and blessings back!
Jeanne, these are great suggestions for choosing a word. I’m always amazed at the process and things gleaned, even though I have not done it myself. Thanks for hosting. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Donna, I love reading peoples’ responses to the idea of choosing a one-word focus for a year. God has made each of us unique in how we grow with Him and how we process life. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!
Wonderful tips, Jeanne. Thank you.
Thanks for the encouragement, Deb!
Hi Jeanne!
I haven’t chosen a “one word” for several years, probably because I put my blogging on pause for that time. However, I’m back and have been so blessed by writing again. As I read your post a surprising word came to my mind. I’m going to pray about it and follow the steps you outlined to make sure it is the word God wants me to focus on as I grow in my relationship with Him. Thanks for this reminder to focus on what God wants to teach us this year!
Blessings, Jo
Jo, I’m so glad you’re back blogging. I’m enjoying getting to know you in this blogosphere. I look forward to hearing more about your word, if you choose to share!
Last year was the first year that I had a word. It came to me and served me well. I’ve been thinking about this year so I’m really grateful for your helpful words here.
One word for the coming year,
one small word to set the tone
against the deep and rising fear
that cancer’d, I stand here alone.
Just one word that will define
all those awful days ahead.
Just one word that may refine
the thought I will soon be dead
before the year of days has run,
before I’ve said that which I must,
before the obligation’s done
before my steel has gone to rust,
so as a proudly Asian guy,
my One Word must be BANZAI!
Andrew, you always come up with the awesome-est words!! In the seriousness of your situation, I am praying for you and for Barb. I smile at the ways you find to bring levity to the hard places in your life. Sending you a gentle hug.
Natalie, it’s always kind of fun to anticipate how we will discover our one word. I love that yours came to you. last year and that you focused on it this year. I’m glad you found this post helpful. I’m so glad you stopped by!
I love your tips, Jeanne! Feel free to link this on our One Word linkup. I’ve scheduled it to post tomorrow morning in our One Word Facebook group because I’m sure it will be helpful to those in our community there as they get ready to choose a word for 2023. I appreciate you!
Thanks, Lisa. I will link it up tomorrow. And thanks for sharing it with the FB group. 🙂 I appreciate you too, my friend!
I’ve never done the “One Word” thing, but our church does. They pick one word every year, and make a banner out of it, which is then displayed in front of our church for the whole year. This past year it was “Stand”. I can’t wait to find out what this years word will be. Thanks for the party.
Amy, I’ve never heard of a church picking a one word focus for the year. I love that!
I love that you have a whole process for choosing a one word for the year. God usually drops the word in my lap sometime in December. This past year my word has been “Light.” I admit I haven’t been as intentional about listening to God to learn the “why” behind my word this past year. I do love having a word as a way to focus and learn more about myself.
Mary, after I published this post, I began hoping I don’t scare people away with the detail I put into my process of selecting one word. 😳 I always enjoy reading about others’ words and how they come to discover them. “Light” is a great word.