Choosing one word to describe an entire year can be challenging. It seems so one-dimensional for a world that has infinite facets and angles—more than we know what to do with.

And that is precisely why choosing just one word can be so liberating. It’s easily remembered, not overwhelming, and above all, clear.

Last year, I chose the word Patience. I don’t know how well I really did with remaining patient (my kids may have a thing or two to say about that), but it brought into focus my need for more of it in my life, and also what was holding me back (you can read more about that here).

Despite not being the picture of patience in 2018, I still believe that choosing one word to define your year is incredibly useful and valuable.

Should Choosing One Word This Year Replace Resolutions?

Now, that is up to you. Some people prefer to stick to one word and one word alone throughout the year, giving them an easy focal point. But I’d like to suggest something else.

Instead of replacing our goals and resolutions for this new year with one word, let’s make goals that are representative of that one word.

Like a book that has multiple chapters, your one word is the title and your resolutions are listed in the table of contents.

Instead of stretching ourselves over many varied goals, let’s focus on one central theme that all of our goals lead back to.

Let’s choose depth over breadth.

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My hope this year is that instead of stretching myself too thin and trying to do too much (see where patience could be an issue?), I want to go deep in the areas of my life that matter most.

It can be easy to choose superficial goals for superficial reasons. I’m not talking about the “lose 20 pounds” goal that so many of us make because there can be real and heartbreaking reasons why we choose to change our outward appearance, from health to self-esteem.

Choosing to dive deeply into one word that defines our goals and our year gives us the opportunity to make true changes in our lives that last.

So, what word did I choose this year?

Savor.

As I was thinking about my goals for the new year, I was sipping coffee on my family room couch. My Christmas tree is still up and the lights make me happy, even as so much of the Christmas loveliness is being stored away for another season.

Looking around, but not really seeing, my eyes caught on a stack of devotionals. On top was the Shauna Niequist book, Savor. The word resonated inside me and I knew it was what I was looking for.

I try to do everything fast. I pride myself on efficiency. But after many years of multitasking, I am starting to see the value in singular slowness. In being present for every moment instead of rushing to the next.

Merriam Webster defines savor as: to delight in. Which made me think, when was the last time I really delighted in something? I like things and I love people, but do I delight in them? Do I savor the most important people and things in my life?

Not enough. And hopefully, this year, I can change that.

I chose the savor as my one word this year, and I have four resolutions that center around it. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share with you how I plan to savor and find delight in each one, but here’s a quick overview.

How I chose my goals this year

My goals tend to revolve around the same general themes each year. They have to do with what I love most and the things I want to put more time into.

Sometimes they are about self-improvement. Sometimes they’re about focusing on something that was important to me in the past, but got waylaid by the busyness of life with kids and bills.

And sometimes they are a way to make sure I focus on what I need, but too often pass up for the more urgent (though less important).

When picking goals, don’t just choose what feels urgent today. Consider what will make you a better version of yourself tomorrow, next month, and next year.

Our goals should be the steps that lead us to our best selves.

For me, these four goals are things that I most want to savor, to delight in, this year. They are both important for my outward self and to my inner self—my body and my soul.

1. Family
2. Faith
3. Health
4. Passions and Hobbies

Family…

…who I love, but rarely sit down and really enjoy because of other pressures and commitments, some in my own mind. They deserve and need my whole attention.

Faith…

…which can be pushed aside by earthly matters or result in a check on the to-do list when I complete a study or scripture reading or prayer time. I need God like oxygen, but I usually don’t realize it until I’m gasping for breath.

Health…

…which I take for granted. I want to care for my body and health like God would want me to, preparing it for whatever work He sets before me.

Passions and Hobbies…

…which are the things that I love doing, but rarely spend any time doing. I want to read and write more, spend an afternoon creating, learn another language, and play an instrument. I want to delight in the gifts I’ve been given, rather than just squeeze them into my spare time.

 

Each week, I’ll go into how I plan to deeply savor these aspects of my life. I hope you’ll join me as I share not only my own goals, ideas, struggles, and successes, but also ways that you, too, can spend this year focusing on your one word and diving deep into your goals.

 

Happy New Year, friends!

 

What word did you choose to define this year? How do you plan to go deep into your goals and resolutions? I’d love to hear in the comments!

 

If you’d like to read more about Choosing One Word and Making Resolutions, check out these posts:

Why I Picked One Word to Define My Year

New Year’s Resolutions: How to Make ’em and Not Break ’em

How to Set Goals that Really Matter

 

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