I’m not one for making New Year’s resolutions, though year-round I do set some goals for myself.
But this year I’ve chosen one word for 2018 to help me stay focused.
My one word is discipline.
So I admit that the first time this one word came to mind, I winced a bit – since many of us equate the word with punishment. I didn’t want to approach my year that way, so I also considered several other words – intentional, aware, purpose, guide, inspire – with intentional leading the way.
But the more I considered discipline, which also means “to train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control,” and “to impose order upon,” the more it fit. And the more I’ve already noticed the word showing up different places in my life – books I’m reading, podcasts I’m listening to, articles I read online.
So discipline it is. My one word for 2018.
Discipline to intentionally choose how I want to spend my time.
Discipline to thoughtfully consider how I spend my money.
And discipline to prioritize the activities that I find to be life-giving, and reduce those that are life-draining. Discipline to learn new things, and sometimes, just to BE.
Discipline, to me, is pause-worthy – reflective, intentional, and action-oriented.
Why Choose One Word
Why do this?
The website oneword365.com says choosing one word to focus on every day, all year long will make a big impact.
“One word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live,” according to the site. “It will take intentionality and commitment, but if you let it, your one word will shape not only your year, but also you.
“It will become the compass that directs your decisions and guides your steps.”
I’ve heard of the one word trend for a few years, but I never could really decide on something. This year, I want to focus on discipline around my exercise and eating habits. I want to focus on some spiritual disciplines. And my one word will remind me to pause each day and make sure I’m living with intention.
How to Choose Your One Word
Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen, authors of My One Word, have suggestions for selecting your one word. First, decide what kind of person you want to become and the characteristics you want to develop.
Make a list of words that resonate with you, then choose one. Don’t overthink it or second-guess yourself. Just go with it.
I also found that after making my initial list of words that resonated, I needed to spend time thinking in silence and solitude. And then throughout the next several days, to pay attention to what arose. After noticing multiple times that discipline crossed my mind, I settled on it.
So what’s your word, and what prompted you to choose it? I invite you to share it with me in the comments, or join my free “Faith and Sweat” Facebook group, where we can have a conversation about our words. Happy New Year!
I’m Amy Hoogervorst, an integrative health coach offering grace and space for a healthier you. I’d love to hear from you and get to know you better. If you’re new here and don’t want to miss a thing, be sure to CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter and updates, or follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and/or Twitter. Thanks for stopping by!
