New Year’s resolutions can be challenging for some. The idea of waiting to change until a far-off date doesn’t always stack up for action-oriented leaders. At Lead Star, we advise our clients to take big risks and seize great moments. Those moments don’t always conveniently align with the calendar year. Sure, a fresh start is always welcomed. But any day can offer a fresh start, not just January 1st.
I heard about the “one word” idea from one of my favorite reality shows. The thought struck me as quite profound: one word to serve as the driving force for the entire year. One word to ground you. One word to guide you. One word to underscore the year ahead. It’s not a resolution and doesn’t require you to wait for action. Instead, it’s a guiding theme that can help to direct all aspects of your life – professional, personal, and spiritual.
My word is relationships. COVID shed light on my immense value in relationships with others. I appreciate quality and quantity; in the relationship world, I’m not an either/or type. In 2023, I want to deepen many of my existing relationships to re-discover the depth that existed pre-COVID. I want to build new connections and form stronger ties with individuals I’ve connected with recently. I find joy in building relationships and want to connect with others in new and exciting ways in 2023.
As you consider your one word for the year, here are some suggestions to follow.
- Contemplate. Spend a few hours or even days reflecting on that one right word for 2023. Consider words that have many applications in different areas of your life.
- Share your word. There’s a lot of power in sharing your word with a partner, friend, or colleague. Our accountability increases when we share what we’ve set out to do with at least one other person.
- Allow your word to become a guiding theme. Be conscientious in putting action behind your word. Consider these questions. How can you live out this theme at the office, with your friends and family, or with yourself? What needs to change for you to live out your word to the fullest in 2023?
We’d love to hear from you! Tag Lead Star on your favorite social media platform once you’ve honed in on your one word for 2023. We’re eager to read what is driving you forward in the year ahead.