What’s Your ONE WORD for 2020?

Why Pick One Word?

A few years ago, I was introduced to a book that would change my thinking and focus for the coming new year. The book: One Word by Jon Gordon and co-authors Dan Britton and Jimmy Page.

The concept of the book is to pick one word to create purpose and model your ideal year in all aspects of your life. Here’s how the authors describe the book:

(From the Inside Flap)

Just One Word.

What if one thing could improve your life in incredible ways? What if One Word could mean the difference between repeated failure and newfound success?

In this beautifully illustrated, full-color revised edition, One Word That Will Change Your Life will inspire you to simplify your life and work by focusing on just One Word for the entire year. That’s right! One Word can create clarity, power, passion, and life-change.

Each year, resolutions are rarely kept, and goals are easily forgotten. But One Word sticks. By living a single word that embodies the essence of your life at this moment, you’ll find renewed purpose and meaning throughout the year. Join thousands of people and hundreds of schools, businesses, churches, and sports teams who have found their One Word… and discover how to harness the transformational power of your One Word.

Perfect, right? They are 100% correct, resolutions are rarely kept and if not seen daily, goals are easily forgotten. While I still set goals (both personal and professional ones – look for another blog post about this soon), I also pick One Word. The book goes into greater detail on HOW to pick your perfect word for the year. The authors describe how this process can be done in three simple steps:

1. Prepare your heart by looking in.
2. Discover your word by looking up.
3. Live your word by looking out.

(page 20)

To discover my One Word, I usually think about how I want to grow and live my life in the coming year. In previous years, I have selected words like FOCUS, PERSEVERE and BELIEVE. It always takes me a few days to select the perfect word each time. This year was no different. Many words came to mind, like JOY, SIMPLICITY, BALANCE, and PURPOSE, but ultimately, this word stood out the most to encompass my life in 2020 is:

(this image can be made by visiting getoneword.com) 

Why did I select this word? I was recently reminded that the sum of your choices will dictate your greatness or weakness. It is my CHOICE to hit the snooze button or get up in the morning to hit the gym. It is my CHOICE to eat healthily or unhealthily (and then get mad because I gain weight). It is my CHOICE to work hard and go to work every day giving 100% of myself to my company. It is my CHOICE to write this blog and hopefully make a difference in someone’s life. Life is all about CHOICES. It is the most powerful tool we have. At any point, we can change the direction of our lives by one simple CHOICE. As my word for 2020, I will remind myself daily that it is the CHOICES I make in my life that determines my success!

So, what about you?  What will your One Word for 2020 be? Grab a copy of the book and share the power of One Word with others! Comment on this post with your One Word for 2020! 

Coming soon, the importance of setting Personal Goals and crushing them each year as well!

 p.s. If you haven’t read any of Jon Gordon’s books, I HIGHLY recommend you check them out. He is an amazing author and professional. http://www.jongordon.com/