If you’ve gotten on board with choosing One Word for the year as an alternative to the laundry list of resolutions, congratulations! I pray it’s a word that is already inspiring and challenging you. But a year is a long time to keep something in place. How will you keep your word in front of you so it stretches you?
I have a few strategies for putting my one word to work to maximize my results. I thought I would share them with you in hopes you find them useful in seeing results.
- Create a vision for your word. How will your word support you in meeting goals, accomplishing your purpose and improving your life? Knowing why this is your word for this year will increase your motivation to keep it top of mind. My vision is to keep my focus on what God wants me to accomplish so that He can also use me to be a blessing to more people in the course of what I do. Discipline will help me make the best use of my time and avoid distractions.
- Display your word. Make a simple poster for your word, and put your word where you will see it. One woman in a group I spoke for writes her word on slips of paper with notes or scripture verses. Then she places them everywhere – in different sections of her Bible, her journal, on the bathroom mirror – so that she sees it regularly.
- Study Scripture on your word. Identify your main scripture, but don’t stop there. You’ll find many scriptures that pertain to your one word. Some may not your word in them, and others may support the idea of your word. The verse I chose for my word is Philippians 3:13-14. I created a sheet of several other verses that resonated with me. You don’t need a lot. Just start with one or two and see what else comes to you over the course of the next few months.
- Share your word with others. Choose an accountability partner and people who are close to you. Give them permission to ask you about your word and how it is changing and challenging you.
- Make it part of your daily prayer routine. Make time to pray about your word each morning – ask God to help you grow in that area. You can also take a few minutes to review how you did at the end of the day. And remember, prayer is not just for morning and evening. You may notice times you need your word throughout the day. Use it often.
- Journal about your word. Journaling is a powerful way to gain deeper insight into what you can do to grow. It is also a great way to realize where you are growing as you go through the year. I find that journaling really opens my heart and mind to insights I don’t get by simply thinking about it. The Holy Spirit can speak to you through your journaling.
- Learn and grow through your word. Find books, reading plans and articles that you can read to help you go deeper in the area in which your word is challenging and stretching you. I’ve had a book every year for my word. This year it’s Matt Perman’s What’s Best Next. I’m getting so much out of it!
