Rather than creating typical new year resolutions (that typically don't work), many people pick one or a few words that represent the value(s) behind their new year goals. These one-word resolutions become a check and motivator throughout the year.

Your power word(s) set your intention or theme of the year. (Of course, you aren't stuck with them. If you want to change mid-year you can do that too.)

One of my clients had great success with this concept. She had been picking a word-of-the-year for several years before I met her. She lit up when she talked about the words she had used in the past and her planned word for the next year. 

In this post, I'll give you some questions to ask yourself to help you hone in on your desired new year goals, ideas on how to use your word-of-the-year, and a list of 200 word-of-the-year words to help you start brainstorming the possibilities. 

How to Find Your Word-of-the-Year Power Words for Your New Year Goals

You may want to start with a longer list and then hone it down until you get to from one to three words. (If you use too many, the focus is easily lost.)

Think about:

• Your goals for the year

• What you'd like more of in your life

• What you'd like less of in your life

• Core values you embrace or strive to embrace

• How you'd like to be (It could be more of something you're pretty good at now, something you struggle to be, or something that you haven't thought much about trying to be in the past.)

• How you'd like to feel

What to Do With Your Word-of-the-Year Power Words

After you've picked your words you can consider how to keep them in mind and use them throughout the year.

You may want to:

1. Write your word(s) and spread them around. Write them on pieces of paper or sticky notes. Put them on your mirror or fridge, in your purse wallet or pocket. Engrave them on jewelry.

2. Use them to inspire choices for your phone or computer wallpaper.

3. Make a vision board using your word(s).

4. Start a journal inspired by your word(s).

5. Start a Pinterest board for your word(s).

6. Notice people around you who are doing things related to your word(s). Notice what works and doesn't work for them.

7. Art your word(s). (Draw, paint, photos, collage . . .).

8. Visualize success achieving what you aspire to achieve through the word(s) you chose.

9. Make affirmations with your word(s). (See this post for more on affirmation how-tos: Simple Positive Morning Affirmations for Confidence.)

To make yourself accountable, schedule reviews (ie quarterly) of how it's working out having your power word(s). 

200 Word-of-the-Year Power Words for Your New Year Goals

Here are 200 words to give you someplace to start coming up with your word(s). 

40 of these words are the qualities/skills that I use as the basis of my Relationship Booster card set. The relationship booster words have an asterisk (*) after them. If you pick any of these words, you may find the Relationship Booster cards particularly helpful as there is a card for each of these qualities/skills and some exercise ideas.

For help reaching your goals, check out my workbooks, journals, planners, and other self-help books:

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