You’ve chosen your One Word for the New Year that embodies your future relationship, happiness, health, family, work, and life goals. What do you do next? Here is a “how-to” in creating, reaching, and keeping your New Year’s resolutions with your One Word.
The first few weeks of the New Year have flown by and as quickly as your resolutions have flown out the window (I mean being rich, thin, and perfect is way overrated, anyway) the eagerness that you had for your ONE WORD theme for the year is probably starting to wane too…
Welcome to the club, sister…the backslide is real! * (If you haven’t chosen your ONE WORD, it’s never too late…I’ve shared how to make it an easy, fun, and meaningful process here)
So, how the heck do you keep up the momentum and stay focused on your ONE WORD for the whole year??
Well, you are in luck, because I have some kick-ass ideas of how to stay the course that are easy and more importantly…MEGA FUN too!! Get the Glitter Ball Ready!!
HOW TO STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR ONE WORD
1. Make a Mind Map
Mind mapping is a creative way to brainstorm how you can practically incorporate your word into all the most important areas of your life.
If you are not familiar with mind mapping, you are probably thinking “What the hell is that? Sounds painful”!!
Well, I can assure you it’s not going to cause any pain!! I’ll walk you through how I mind mapped my word “Alignment” from 2019 (because I’m trying to erase pretty much everything from 2020 from my memory!), so you get a concrete visual of the process.
A. First I placed my One Word in the middle of a blank sheet of paper.
B. Secondly, I labeled the 8 main components of my life (Family, Home, Friends, Health, Community, Financial, Career, Spiritual/Emotional)
You can use whatever categories resonate with you so feel free to create your own customized headings. (Click on download link below to get my printable PDF version)
D. I chose to print mine and frame it, so it’s a constant physical reminder of my word.
I’ve attached my completed Mind Map from a past year below to give you some ideas – feel free to use the blank template above to make it easy peasy!
The most important part of the process is to have fun with it and reignite your enthusiasm for your word.
2. Create a Vision Board
Unless you’ve been living under a rock (and it’s totally cool if you have been), you are fully aware of what a Vision Board is…my hubs (AKA Mr. Organizen) and I have been vision board practitioners and enthusiasts for over a decade and honestly, they are super powerful tools!
I’m pretty sure my vision board from 2008 got a certain someone elected (Barry, you can thank me later in person).
One of the biggest fears people have around vision boards is that they think it will take a long time and/or feel like they need to be Picasso to create one.
PSA – ATTENTION PLEASE: Don’t stress if you are not a crafty person…you can make vision boards on Pinterest, you can cut and paste images on a word document, and you can even create vision boards by making a PowerPoint presentation and watching it each day. #noartexperienceneeded
I hang my vision board above my meditation alter so it’s a constant reminder that I see daily.
3. Read Motivational Books
Create a reading list of books that will continue to inspire you and keep you on track throughout the year.
My word for this year is “Magic” and look at all of these books I’ve added to my reading list to help me maintain my focus on making this year the most magical one yet!
4. Wear It
Okay, I know this suggestion sounds super cheesy, but if you’ve ever met me, you’ll know I’m a total cheese ball (like you haven’t already noticed if you’ve read my other posts)….so, here it goes…buy and wear clothing that reflects your word.
I am a total sucker for inspiring t-shirts, and honestly, I feel like my energy shifts when I’m wearing my “open heart, open mind” t-shirt…it’s like I am a walking billboard for my positive vibe….that’s why I’ve gotta get one of these shirts…oh yeah!!
Just for the record…no one is stealing the “Queen of Cheese” crown from me…not today, or anytime soon!
If t-shirts are a bit too over the top for you, you can even go for something a little more subtle…like a mantra band…aren’t these such pretty reminders?
5. Add it to your To-Do List
If you are a “To-Do” List kinda chick, then add your word to your list!
Yes, I’m a total To-Do Diva, so you know it’s on my daily “To-Do List”. It’s pretty darn powerful to write down the word M-A-G-I-C every single day!
6. Choose and Look for a “Sign”
In our family, the number 11 is a sign that all is well and we are in alignment with the MAGIC of life, so anytime I see 11, I think of my word!
Want to see where I’ve happen to see it over the last week 2 weeks…
The address of the cabin we just rented for our family vacay in Big Bear, CA.
The time of the moment our new Madam Vice-President walked down the stairs at the inauguration.
Magical reminders are around everywhere if you are just receptive to see them!
Another one of my “signs” is a butterfly so anytime I see a butterfly, I take a breath, smile, remember my word, and remind myself to trust the MAGIC of life.
7. Print a Sign
Since I am a very visual person, having a physical, printed sign is super helpful for me.
Each year I print a quote that has my word, frame it, and put it somewhere in my house that I will see every day…here are my last few years…
“Happy”, “Self-Care” and “Enough” were my words and these little reminders are still in my bathroom and office space.
8. Find a Partner
Maybe it’s your spouse, friend, neighbor, or random person you met on Meetup…find an accountability buddy to check in with on a daily or weekly basis to share how you are incorporating your word into your life and how you are showing up as your word!!
I’m a bit over-zealous on this one and have two accountability partners, one for family life and one for business!!
9. Set a Daily Reminder
Last but not least, and certainly the easiest suggestion I have for you…
Set a reminder on your phone every day at a time that simply reminds you of your word. I send myself a reminder every day at 11:11 “All I See is Magic” (notice the time ?).
I also decided this year to set my phone screen saver as a reminder:
So just remember…it’s all about embodying your word and creatively reminding yourself about it as often as possible. Engage in activities and thoughts that prove you are “living” your word and truly feel it. BE YOUR WORD!
Until we catch up again…cheers to your ONE WORD and cheers to MAGICAL, magnificent YOU!
XOXO,
Magan
