Rather than set New Years resolutions each year, I choose one word to guide me through the next 12 months. The benefit of this has been that rather than tracking a dozen different things, I only track one. Every decision I make throughout the year, I only have to think about how it reflects on my One Word. In my previous post I wrote about the 5 lessons I learned through a year of “progress”. In this post, I’ll talk about my new word. And, also how to make a vision board, so your word has your attention the whole year.
I dubbed 2019 the year of Progress. Unfortunately, it was pretty underwhelming. Was this because of the word, or was it because 2018’s word “Explore” was so damn epic? Who knows? I will say, I learned a lot about progress, and what’s required for progress to happen. Which, subsequently, has heavily influenced my word for 2020. That’s what the words do, they provide opportunity for growth. Because you cannot fail. You learn, you grow, you move forward.
One Word for 2020 – Consistency
Last year a close contender to progress was ‘practice’ and habit. Through 2019 I found consistency was missing in my life. Consistency is how you build habits. Below are few areas of my life I want to invite consistency.
- Create habits that are conducive to self growth. Journal daily. Invest in myself. Take courses, learn, discover, create.
- Build a consistent home practice for yoga, breath and meditation. Also design fitness program for myself and stick to it. By the end of 2020 I’d like to be doing more cardio and resistance training again for health.
- Be consistent with weekly YouTube and Blog posts. This is the biggest goal of the year. Go all-in on building my online business.
- Experiment with different monthly challenges, and track progress. The first one for 2020 is to try the Vegan Keto Diet for my disease.
- Keep being authentic. In other words, let myself be vulnerable. This was a big lesson for 2019.
- Experiment with alternative therapies to see if they help my disease. Schedule my ‘down-time’, self-care, and vacations to avoid burn out.
- Read more.
The major things this year are keeping consistency in blog posts and YouTube uploads. I really see 2020 as a year of personal and professional growth. In conclusion, the next 12 months for me is about building habits and routines that can help me to be more productive, and a better person. By working on myself, I can then help others.
Ready to choose your word? Free Printable
If you’ve been inspired by this post to choose your own word, then yay! Welcome, to the One Word club. Sometimes the words are obvious, they almost slap you in the face. If you’ve chosen your word then share it in the comments below. However, some of you may struggle to settle on a word. So, I created a workbook to guide you step-by-step through the process. You can download it by clicking the image below.
How to make a vision board
Making a vision board for my One Word is something I’ve done the last 4 years. Honestly it’s been such a fun creative project, and a great way to look back on your word and see how things are progressing. I’ve done these digitally before and I don’t like it. This needs to be something I see daily, and mine hangs on the wall in my home office. Right above my desk. Front and center, keeping me focused and reminding me to ‘check in’ with my word often. When I created my vision board for “consistency” I did a video of my process. If you’re interested, check that out below. Also don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. I’m going full force with consistency in YouTube in 2020!
In our filing cabinet I keep a file of magazine tear sheets, and clippings to use in future vision boards. This is something I add to throughout the year. Tearing out bits and pieces that resonate. Around October of each year I put all magazines, fliers, circulars into this file so I have a larger base to draw from. You can ask friends and family for old magazines too.
What you need for your vision board
- A sheet of card or poster board
- Scissors
- Glue
- Old Magazines
The first step in how to make your vision board, is to browse the magazines, and tear out images you want to use. Think about the images that align with your theme/word for the year. I’m a big fan of visuals and words. Go figure as a writer, I love wording. So my vision boards tend to be smaller images and lots of words.
Once you have a pile. Secondly, cut them to size and glue them down. This could be in any order you like. Personally, I like “sections”: Personal; health; business; relationships etc. Remember this isn’t permanent. You can replace images that no longer resonate. Just add new things on top! So dream big.
The third step is optional. I like to have my word for the year in the center, and the images around the edge. Whether this is done with a magazine clipping, printed, or in the case of this year, just written on with a pen. There are no rules here, it’s your vision board for your dreams, and your word. I started doing this three years ago and I fell in love with it.
Finally, you need to hang it somewhere that you’ll see it often. Mine hangs in my office. In my progress post, I also noted that I sit with it at least once a month. And I highly recommend this practice. Just checking in with your word regularly to see if you’re on track. The law of attraction is real guys!
Questions
- Do you choose resolutions or one word?
- Did you pick a word last year? How did that work out for you?
- Have you made a vision board?
5 lessons from a year of Progress – 2019 in review
I absolutely LOVE making vision boards. I am actually now inspired to get mine done for 2020 ASAP!
get it done girlfriend!
Consistency is a great word. It is key to everything we do that matters. I think your 2019 word was important too because you made enough progress to observe where you needed to be in 2020. Kudos.
100% it taught me what I needed.
Ooh this is such a good idea in place of resolutions! A good way to keep the momentum going throughout the year, as well as allowing yourself to make changes and improvements in multiple aspects of your life!
exactly. It’s something that grows with you through the year.
I’ve always loved the idea of a vision bird but have never made one. Reading this post really motivates me to give it a try. Thank you!
Glad it helped. I love making vision boards.
I tend to do a little bit of both. I pick a few words that I want to guide my year, but also set goals for the year.
I set goals, but have my word in the forefront. Goals come and go depending on relevance. The words generally growth with you during the year.
My word is health. Overall mental, physical, emotional health!
HEALTH is a great word! Wish you the best health!