Reflecting on my 2024 Word of the Year, strength, I’m reminded of my journey in powerlifting. Strength guided me through building my physical power and resilience. But now, I know I need to refine and adjust—to “dial in” the specific exercises and techniques that will help me grow further.
As we approach the start of 2025, it’s time to pause and reflect on the year behind us and look forward to the one ahead. While New Year’s resolutions often fall by the wayside, choosing a Word of the Year can provide a meaningful, focused direction for your growth. Unlike resolutions, which often feel like tasks or obligations, a word acts as a guidepost—something that stays with you and grows with you throughout the year.
Why Choose a Word of the Year?
Your Word of the Year is a reflection of your goals, values, and aspirations. It can serve as a daily reminder to live with intention and align your actions with your priorities. Instead of the pressure of sticking to a rigid resolution, a word offers flexibility—it evolves with you, gently steering you toward what matters most.
If you’re new to this practice or unsure of where to begin, I’ve created a guide to help you choose your word. You can find it here. This guide includes reflective prompts to help you assess your year, think about what you want to focus on, and choose a word that resonates with you.
As we approach the start of 2025, it’s time to pause and reflect on the year behind us and look forward to the one ahead. While New Year’s resolutions often fall by the wayside, choosing a Word of the Year can provide a meaningful, focused direction for your growth. Unlike resolutions, which often feel like tasks or obligations, a word acts as a guidepost—something that stays with you and grows with you throughout the year.
My 2025 Word: Dial
This year, my word is dial. It’s a word that resonates with the small but intentional adjustments I want to make in various areas of my life.
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Dialing in my nutrition: I want to focus on refining my eating habits, ensuring they’re aligned with my health goals.
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Dialing in on what matters: Whether it’s relationships, personal goals, or professional projects, I aim to pay closer attention to areas that need more care and precision.
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Dialing down...the sarcasm: Just kidding about reducing sarcasm—we’ll keep that dial turned all the way up!
Making Your Word Visible
To keep my Word of the Year top of mind, I use a visual reminder called a “Word on Wood.” This small wooden sign stays in my kitchen and on my desk at work, serving as a daily nudge to reset my intentions. There’s something powerful about having a physical representation of your word nearby. It anchors your focus and inspires you to realign with your goals throughout the year.
If you’re looking for a similar reminder, I highly recommend checking out Word on Wood signs. These were a key offering of Simply Stained Shop, the custom sign company I founded.
In 2024, I sold the business to Heather Lamb, one of our longstanding employees. She’s taken the reins and made it her own, continuing to employ my parents and her family while carrying on the heart of the business.
Thank you for supporting small businesses like Simply Stained Shop. Your purchase of a Word on Wood sign not only brings intentionality to your life but also supports families like ours.
Reflect and Choose Your Word
Now it’s your turn. Take a moment to reflect on the past year. What did you learn? What challenges did you overcome? What do you want to focus on in 2025? Use the Canva guide to help you find a word that resonates deeply with your aspirations.
Remember, your Word of the Year is more than a goal; it’s a mindset. Place it where you’ll see it daily, and let it guide you through the year with intention and purpose.
Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, focus, and inspiration!
