Struggling with your New Year’s resolutions? Choose One Word!

I typically start my New Year’s resolutions prior to the holidays. I find that it helps me stay focused through the hectic holiday season. But then every year, around mid-January, after the excitement of spending time with family and friends over the holidays, as I transition back to my normal routine, I sense a weakness in my resolve. This is when I have to re-engage and re-commit to my resolutions. I’ve found that the One Word approach truly gets me (and my clients) off and running. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oetiY0EkdQE

With 50% of resolutions failing by the end of January, the idea is to find the One Word to get inspired and live by for the year. Starting the day off with One Word in mind helps put the day in perspective. It certainly helps focus our thoughts, choices, and actions. This is my 3rd year doing this. My word for 2015 was "gratitude,” which helped me to better appreciate all the good in my life and to find the opportunities hidden in each new day. My word for 2016 was “courage,” which empowered me to take the plunge and quit my job to start my own business. My word for 2017 is “positive.”

If you’d like to learn more, you may want to get the book “One Word that will Change Your Life” by Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, & Jon Gordon. https://www.amazon.com/Word-that-will-Change-Your/dp/111854241X.  However, despite my resolution to look at the positive, not the negative, this year, I cannot fully positively recommend the book without offering a word of caution. While the concept of One Word is brilliant, some may find the book light on content. Moreover, the book has a religious tone, and the references to God and prayer may be off-putting to those who are not religious. That being said, choosing One Word is a great way to stay on track all year long. The book outlines the process to discover the One Word and includes a personal action plan for strategic implementation.

To start off, I approach resolutions and the One Word process positively, using positive language. Think of this as a 3-step process.

1. Choose your positive word: your cue to trigger action.
2. Choose your positive reinforcement: your reward for taking any action aligned to your One Word and overarching goal.
3. Create a positive change cycle: keep making small changes in your habits and choices to stay the course and achieve meaningful and sustainable lone-term change.

This year, I will look at the positive. As discussed in many of my previous posts, decades of Positive Psychology research point to evidence that positivity fuels success and performance at work. When we actively engage in positive thinking and keep a positive attitude, we become more creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive. We all face obstacles along the path to our goals. Use the power of positivity to break through barriers and overcome challenges. It is often the difficult roads that lead to the most beautiful destinations. Ask anyone who ever drove the road to Hana in Maui. I am excited to focus on growing my talent consulting and coaching business this year with the word “positive” as my filter. I am determined to be more positive in all areas of my life and consciously choose to see the glass half full in every situation. Good luck achieving success with all your goals in 2017!