As we step into the new year, I propose a new approach—one that goes beyond New Year’s resolutions or a single Word of the Year. I propose two Words of the Year.
Imagine this: two guiding principles—one that reflects what we stand for and aspire to, focusing us and steering us toward a desired destination. The second word reflects what we stand against, guarding us from attitudes or influences that could damage us or hinder our progress.
Let’s explore this twist on the Word of the Year to see how it can empower us to protect our personal peace and energy while pursuing our personal and professional aspirations.
Word of Aspiration: Taking a Stand FOR Something
The Word of Aspiration serves as a reminder of our desired direction and the traits or actions that will support our efforts. As opposed to a New Year’s resolution that focuses on an outer goal, a Word of Aspiration encompasses a personal trait, way of being, or daily activity that inspires and encourages us on our way. This word encapsulates our ambitions and sets the tone for our growth.
My Word of Aspiration for 2024 is Consistency. For me, consistency embodies a spirit of dedication, nudging me toward sustained healthy habits, efficient time management, and the pursuit of excellence through sustainable habits. It’s a call to action—to lace every day with deliberate, purposeful steps toward progress.
It’s also the cornerstone of effective leadership, encouraging me to show up as my authentic self every day in my business and interactions with others.
Consistency emphasizes the need for a steady pace in my personal and professional life, rather than bursts of intensity interspersed with bouts of burnout. As they say, slow and steady wins the race.
Your guiding Word of Aspiration could be anything that inspires or challenges you to live your best life. It might be a word like Resilience or Courage, or maybe a word such as Gratitude, Dream, or Self-Care. It could be any term that resonates deeply with your desired lifestyle or what you desire to cultivate more of. It’s your compass, guiding your actions and shaping your choices throughout the year.
When you write your Word of Aspiration down and refer to it daily, it becomes embedded in your psyche and helps you live with intention and focus.
Word of Protection: Taking a Stand AGAINST Something
Equally crucial is a Word of Protection that stands against the forces that drain our energy or that threaten to block our progress. This word embodies our resolve and our courage to name the danger that lurks and to take a stand against it.
For me, that Word of Protection for 2024 is Toxicity. It’s a commitment to guard against damaging habits, relationships, and mindsets. Toxicity is tough to define, but you know it when you see it or feel it. My stand against toxicity is a declaration to recognize and move away from drama, unsupportiveness, deception, or anything that feels, well, toxic. It’s a stand to not contribute to toxicity, and it’s a commitment to manage my own heart and mind around the toxicities that I see and experience.
“Get rid of things that exhaust your soul.” Yes, that’s it.
Your Word of Protection might be a stand against Worry, Negativity (it IS an election year after all!), or Injustice. Or perhaps it’s something related to your boundaries or time, such as Overcommitment or Social Media Scrolling (yes, phrases work too!). It could be any disruptive force that hinders your peace and growth.
The word of protection isn’t meant to keep you focused on the negative. It’s meant to bring the danger into your conscious awareness on a daily basis so you can guard against it. By protecting your personal energy, you create more space for your Word of Aspiration.
Finding Balance: Leading with Clarity and Resilience
This dual-word approach is about striking a balance between ambition and self-preservation. Challenges will arise, and we can’t insulate ourselves from these challenges, nor should we. However, by embracing these guiding words, we prepare ourselves to navigate complexities with agility and poise. We can become more intentional and analyze tough decisions and our responses through the lens of “Does this align with both my Word of Aspiration and my Word of Protection?”
Embracing these guiding words also allows us to set a positive example for those we lead. By guarding our own peace and progress, and by taking a stand against damaging influences, we help others find the courage to take a stand as well.
So, embark on the new year with this powerful duo to help steer your journey.
This nuanced approach will empower you as a person and as a leader, helping you navigate the complexities of day-to-day living in 2024. This is more than any New Year’s resolution will ever be able to do.
Feel free to share your guiding words for the year in the comments below. There is power in the public declaration.
Here’s to a year of empowered living and protected peace!
Thank you for this idea. I’ve never chosen a word (much less two!) but feeling called to do that this year…
I am glad to hear it’s helpful Justine! I put my Word of Aspiration and Word of Protection on the front page of my daytimer and read them out loud each morning. There is power in our words. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!