Note from Crystal: After Rachel read my post on How One Word Can Change Your Life in 2013, she asked me if she could write a guest post. As she’s the co-author of My One Word, I was delighted to have her share from her experience here — especially since this is my first year to choose one word and she’s been doing this for years!
Guest post from Rachel of RachelOlsen.com
Have you ever notice how the start of a new year prompts us to make long lists of goals?
We promise things like:
- I’m going to exercise five days a week and lose weight.
- I’m going to get my entire house organized and keep it that way.
- I’m going to get up early and read my Bible every single morning.
Then we rush out and spend money on stuff we think we need to make these resolutions a reality. We buy new workout wear and join a gym. We buy 18 different organizing bins in four different sizes. We purchase a hefty new study Bible, highlighters, and a new journal.
What happens? After a couple weeks of effort, life interrupts or our will power fizzles and we discover these purchased items have no power to change us. We conclude that we just can’t change, and nurse our feelings of failure with some chocolate, or nachos.
What if I told you that what you need isn’t a bigger house, high-end running shoes, or an 8 lb.Bible? What if I told you all you really need is focus?
Here’s what I’ve discovered:
Change is possible; but focus is required.
You might be thinking that focus is something you either have or you don’t, but that’s not true. Focus is something you DO. And focus can come into your daily practice in the form of one single word.
For the last six years, my church and I have ditched our lists of resolutions in favor of choosing one word to be our focus for the year. Just one word that represents what we most hope will manifest in and through us in the year ahead. Thousands have since joined us in doing something about one thing via one word, rather than little about a whole list of resolutions.
Let me encourage you to replace of your list of promises to exercise more, read the Bible, and maintain an organized home — all great goals, by the way — and spend a year with the one word DISCIPLINED.
Got different goals? You could focus this year on saving money, paying down your debt, and learning to happily live within your means with the one word CONTENTMENT. Or you could focus on taming your tongue and cultivating loving relationships with the one word GENTLE.
Your one word is memorable and has a way of driving down to matters of the heart — and that’s where our behaviors ultimately flow from. That’s where our lives change.
So pick a word for 2013 and let your one word govern your actions and decisions. Let it be your focus and your daily prayer. Let it cast a vision for who you can become over the course of an entire year.
Resolutions can be broken. A single word cannot. Why not choose a one word for this year and see what changes a little focus can bring?
What is your one word?
Rachel Olsen is the co-author of My One Word: Change Your Life with Just One Word. She is also a national speaker on the subject of change, and a life coach. She blogs at RachelOlsen.com. And at www.MyOneWord.org, where you can post your one word.
photo from Big Stock
Mama Murrey says
I think this is the third year I’ve picked a word. The first year was SERENITY (not all that calm a year), the next year was RADIANCE (I didn’t feel very radiant a lot of the time, but the Lord did some huge renovations in me that year and I think the radiance will come.)
This year in the first week of January my husband and I took a four-day retreat without our three small boys. We did goal-setting for our second year (last year’s goal setting was amazingly helpful!) and we each chose a word. Yes, believe it or not, my husband on his own wanted to choose a word. He chose PRESENCE to remind him to spend time in God’s presence. I chose JOY because I’m recovering from 20 years of depression.
And the two words together highlight our top goal for the year–to spend time with our Father, because “In His Presence is fullness of joy.”
Lisa says
I have two words for this year, and one of them is actually “focus!” My mind is constantly racing ahead to the next task and I am never fully focused on what is in front of me, whether a conversation with my husband, relaxing with a TV show, or doing a chore or work task. This greatly increases my mental and physical stress. My other word is “float,” as a reminder to stop fighting my current circumstances and trying to control things, and instead allow the current of the Spirit to carry me along the path God has ordained.
Living So Abundantly says
Interruptions. I normally hate them. I am Type-A and almost always have a checklist on paper(and one always starting in my mind!). I am not so graceful when interruptions come my way. Especially if they are not on my list–lol. This year I am working on showing joy and grace through interruptions. Whether it be a person or event, I want to remember that God allows interruptions for His plan. It’s all about Him–not me!
Victoria says
My word is STEWARD, as in what does it mean to be a faithful steward for God. God already spoke to me in an amazing way using the story in Mathew of the servants who were given talents to steward in their master’s absence. I am anxiously awaiting what the rest of the year and the word study will hold.
Tracy says
My one word is ACCEPTANCE. I have struggled with this for a long time, and I want to make this my priority this year. I must learn to accept the things that I cannot change. I hope this will help me have better relationships with my son and family.
Alison @ Hoarding Minimalism says
My word is DEPENDENCE – learning to depend on God for my security, and building strong relationships with others 🙂
Krysten says
I didn’t have a word for sure at the time of your last post about this, but I figured it out shortly thereafter. My word for this year is SIMPLIFY. I’m trying to simplify my life by cutting out extra activities and commitments. I’m trying to simplify my marriage by focusing on the important things and letting go of the “clutter” that tries to sneak in. I’m trying to simplify my home by getting rid of unused and unnecessary items (I’ve filled 5 new boxes since my garage sale in July when I was sure that I’d decluttered my home completely!) And most importantly, I’m trying to give my children a simple, wholesome childhood where learning is fun and quality family time is the norm rather than the exception because we have chosen a simpler life where our possessions and commitments don’t rule us. I love my word for this year, and I love my journey on the road to a simple life.
Rose says
That was a GREAT post thanks !
Lisa says
GRACE! This year I will allow myself some grace! The world won’t end if I don’t stick to my meal plan, stay on top of the laundry pile, or even clean the toilets! 🙂
Stacy says
Grace is the word I would like to focus on too. I am a first time SAHM and have been having trouble reconciling my pre-baby expectations of myself with the reality. Having said that, I would like to not only like to allow myself grace, but also work on extending grace to others in my life (especially my husband).
Crystal says
Love this… and I think your word is *perfect* for where you’re at in life! {Hugs!}
Casie says
This is the third year I’ve had a word. This year my word is DETERMINATION. That is what I’m focusing on in regards to all of my goals I’ve set and just for normal everyday life.
I also added Rachel’s book to my Goodreads to-read list and can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Rachel Olsen says
Terrific, Casie. I pray it’s a great year for you!
Denise says
My one word this year is PRESENT. I have been a stay at home mom now for over a year with one in kindergarten and one in preschool 2 days a week. I have caught myself falling into the trap of thinking because I am home my house should be spotless, my meals should be perfect, and I should be spending hours with my Bible and journal. A typical day looks much different though. I find myself feeling that I am trying so hard to keep up with all of these things that I am losing the real reason I decided to stay home – my kids. So this year my word is PRESENT.
…PRESENT to my kids, when they want to read or play, not so focused on the house that I forget them.
…PRESENT to my husband, talking and paying attention to him instead of using him when he gets home as a sitter so I can get things done.
…PRESENT to the Lord, when I read my Bible and pray to really be there and be with Him, not just checking it off my list of things I need to do.
….and finally PRESENT, because I know someday soon these little guys won’t ask me to play or ask for my attention and I want to cherish every minute!!
Em says
I love the word PRESENT. I too want to be present for my husband and my children. I want to truly listen when my husband speaks. I want to be present to teach my children responsibility. I want to be present for a long time by improving my health. I want to realize the ‘present’ that God has given me by reading my bible. I want to be more present in my job adn have more focus.
Thank you for the word I have been looking for.
Amanda says
Gratitude! Until quite recently, I had a hard time accepting good things without wondering what the cost was, or when the other shoe would drop. I’ve been given gifts great enough that I’m learning to open myself to them, and it’s not easy, but it’s been life changing. This is a pretty new emotion to me.
I’d like to remind people to make sure they’re extending they’re positive intentions to themselves. Be kind to the people around you, and be kind to yourself too! It’s much easier to keep something up when you’re benefiting from it too, and you’ll have more to give.
Mary E. says
We were encouraged at our first MOPS meeting this year to choose a word. After writing many down and taking a few days to think/pray/decide, I chose Gentleness. I really struggle with this, and this word always pops out at me when I think about the Fruits of the Spirit. I struggle with being uptight, and as a first year homeschooling mom with a crawling baby, sometimes I blow my top and have a hard time being gentle. Choosing one word has already helped me at times to focus!
Carla says
Really like this one word advice. Mine is KINDNESS.
Christine Lenz says
Discipline. I lack it big time and am working o n it day by day. Trying to establish, a routine of sorts. Haven’t given up yet 😉
Jessica says
I saw the original post and at the time couldn’t think of one word. However, this past weekend The Lord spoke to me and reminded me that I need to work on forgiveness. So that’s my word, forgiveness. It was granted to me by my Heavenly Father. I need to forgive people who have wronged me and forgive myself for my past wrongs.
Thanks for the encouragement.