A couple years ago, I wrote about a simple, effective approach to resolutions that caught my attention: instead of making a long list of everything you want to accomplish, you choose just one word to be your focal point for the year. The idea is that you can turn to your word when you are in need of guidance, and it will help shape your goals, decisions and priorities.
The CreateWriteNow Journaling for the Health of It ™ community had a fantastic response to this concept, and we heard some great word s that you chose for 2013: Discover, Trust, Writing, Health and Transformation, to name a few. If you participated that year or last year, take this opportunity to reflect on your experience and choose a new word for 2015; if you are new to one-word New Year’s intentions, it’s easy to get started!
Journaling for an Authentic New Year
1. Did you set a New Year’s resolution last year (one word or otherwise)? What was it? Why did you select it? Overall, how do you think you did in working toward your resolution over the course of the year? Did you stick with it consistently, abandon it after a month or go in fits and starts? What was most challenging? What was most rewarding? What did you learn?
2. Do a free-writing word brainstorm in your personal journal to help you narrow down your options for this year’s intention. Set a timer for five minutes, and jot down any words or ideas that come to mind; for example: peaceful, change, gratitude, wellness, learn or enjoy.
3. Read through what you’ve written and think about which words would fit into the big picture of your priorities for the near future. What word best sums up what you want out of this year? What word do you think will be a source of comfort or inspiration when you need it most?
4. Choose your word and write it in big letters on a page in your journal, on a piece of paper on your wall, on your mirror or anywhere else you will see it often. My one word intention for 2015 is Create. How did I come up with it? It just showed up one day in my ambidextrous Morning Pages last September. And now I’m working on my goals. First on my goals (dreams with deadlines) list: Create Perfect Health.
What’s yours? Post it in the comments section and we’ll keep track of each other during this best year ever.
Happy New Year and #WriteON!
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