9 out of 10 people will fail with their resolutions.
50% of resolution makers will fail by the end of January.
But
One Word
sticks!
That's why 9 years I ago I stopped making New Year's resolutions and started picking One Word for the upcoming year. No resolutions, no goals... just One Word that gives meaning, mission, passion and purpose. One Word that will help me be my best.
My friends
Dan Britton and Jimmy Page
have been doing this for over 20 years. They told me how every New Year's Eve they gathered with their children and each came up with a word. Then they made paintings of their words that hung in their houses to remind them to live their word for the year.
I was inspired and started doing it with my family and shared it with everyone.
My words over the years have been: PURPOSE, SURRENDER, SERVE, PRAY, RISE, FORGIVE, STILL, CONNECTED and EXPAND.
Each word has molded and shaped me to become a better person, father, husband, writer, communicator and leader. Looking back I know my One Word chose me more often than I chose it.
Dan, Jimmy and I wrote a book
One Word that Will Change Your Life
a few years ago and we've heard incredible stories of impact from countless people, schools, sports teams and companies that have discovered the power of
One Word
. Several college teams put their One Words on their lockers and practice shirts. NFL and NBA teams chose their words for the season and talked about them before games. Schools made t-shirts with all their teacher's One Words. Hendrick BMW even made a
One Word car!
This is a great exercise to do with your kids and students too, which is why we also wrote
One Word for Kids
.
You may not have any idea what your word is going to be this New Year. That's okay. I still don't have my word for 2020 yet. Give it some time. Instead of randomly picking a word, allow the word to choose you. Your word will come!
I've had people email me saying, "I waited and waited and waited and one day, bam, the word hit me. I knew it was my word for the year." If you are open, the word always comes. There is a word that is meant for you to help you become all that you are meant to be and if you believe it, you will receive it.
To help you get started ask yourself a few questions. What do you want to focus on this year? Or what's in the way? What do you need more or less of? What needs to change?
Once you come up with your word feel free to write it on one of the
One Word posters
we created for you. Or write it on a rock and put it on your desk. Or make it your screen saver or phone's wall paper. Some have even made One Word jewelry to wear during the year. The ideas are endless. The key is to keep your word front and center so you can see it and live it.
Listen or watch this Positive University Podcast interview with Dan Britton, Jimmy Page and I as we have a blast talking about One Word. I know you will benefit from it. It's available on
iTunes
,
Google Play
, and
Youtube
.
