My 2020 Word Of The Year + How To Choose Yours

Let me start by being totally honest. I've never chosen a word of the year before, but I'm totally digging the motivating vibes surrounding this concept.

So... I'm doing it! I'm choosing a word.

My Word Of The Year

Consistent.

Being busy moms typically means our schedules depend on everyone else's schedules. This fact alone makes being consistent seem far fetched. But, my schedule isn't what I'm talking about. Why try to change something that we just can't? Rather, throughout 2020, I want to be consistent in my efforts.

Among other things, I want to...

• learn about myself consistently so that I am able to be a better wife and mother (and all around person)
• act in a consistent and intentional way
• be consistent with healthy physical habits- eating and exercise
• make a consistent effort in practicing self-care
• consistently write and promote Mom of W.A.R.
• be consistent in pursuit of my long-term professional goals

Consistent. This word resonates with me at this point in my life. It seems that I have made a pattern of using my ever changing and unpredictable schedule as an excuse for not being consistent. Although my schedule may never be consistent, the effort I put forth can be.

Will it be perfect? No way. Will I get it all done? Who knows. Can I put in the same amount of effort every day to achieve my goals? Absolutely.

This year... I will strive to be consistent.

How To Choose Yours

If you're like me, simple tasks can become overwhelming due to overthinking or indecisiveness. Technically it's just a word, so it doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be meaningful to us.

1.) Do some prep work.

Write down all of the goals you want to accomplish for the year. Include everything- short term and long term. This is a total brain dump of goals. When you're done, look over your list. Do you notice any themes? Maybe majority of your goals include your professional life or maybe they revolve around a side hustle. If you're able to determine a theme, it may be a good idea to choose a word that meshes well with it.

2.) Research.

There is no exact science to finding your word of the year, so don't stress if it feels like it's not working yet.

Do a quick Google search or check out some ideas on Pinterest. Let other's words inspire you in the process of finding your own.

3.) Process of elimination.

By now you probably have a list of words you want to choose from. Most of the time, a quick look at the list will make it possible to scratch off a few that just don't stick for you.

Sometimes you just know, and that may happen for you. Your word may stand out above the rest. If it doesn't, try to narrow it down to a solid 3 to 5 words. From here, you want to consider each word individually.

Let's say your word is consistent. Ask yourself some questions:

• How do I want to be consistent throughout the year?
• In what ways do I want consistency to impact my life?
• Why is consistency important to me?
• Where do I want to see consistency in my life?
• Will consistency aid in my personal growth?

The questions don't have to be exact, but try switching out your words with questions like these. As you go, you will begin to notice that some answers hit home more than others.

4.) Put it into practice.

You've chosen a word! Yay! It's got to feel good...

Now it's time to put it into practice. Like with all great things... it takes time. Don't expect to be one and the same with your word by tomorrow.

Look up some quotes centered around your word. Find inspiration you can keep with you throughout the year to help keep you motivated when you just aren't feeling it.

Take it one day at a time and enjoy learning about yourself and evolving!

I would love to hear what your word for 2020 is in the comments below. Let's talk about it!