SELECT ONE WORD TO GUIDE YOU IN THE YEAR AHEAD

For years I have encouraged my coaching clients to select one word to guide their lives for the next year.  It can start at any point in the year—New Year’s, Birthday, or any significant date that has meaning. I have noticed that people overburden themselves with New Year’s resolutions and soon lose motivation on what they wanted to achieve.  Selecting one word to influence your choices is a simple technique that can prompt you to change behavior.  Think about one word that resonates with you.  A word that if you concentrated on, would transform you or something in your life.  Examples of words that my clients have chosen include Action, Listening, Grace, Kindness, Miracles, Love, and Positive.

Decide on a single word that will support, guide, and motivate you.  Reflect on how you would speak and act differently if you manifested this word in your daily life.  Create reminders for yourself and place them in multiple locations–mirror, computer, or refrigerator.  Start conversations with friends and family about what their word would be for the year and discuss the benefits of change.  If you are truly motivated, keep a journal about how you applied your word to guide you, how it transformed you, or how it made a difference in others’ lives.   Your journey is to empower yourself with valued words that inspire you.

QUESTION: What is your personal motivational word?  

Share your stories with us on how you have changed or inspired others.

WORDS ARE POWERFUL

Words can soothe a broken heart or pierce one’s confidence in a moment.  Seldom do we pause to notice the impact our words have on ourselves or others.  When we mumble a critical self-judgment about something we did or said and then destructively ruminate for hours or days, we limit our wellbeing, our health.  Dr. Andrew Newberg, MD and Mark Robert Waldman in their book Words Can Change Your Brain state that “a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.”

A single word is all it takes to impact your internal or mental health.  Select your words wisely.  Think of each word as a flower from a garden and that you are harvesting the best specimens.  Seek the beautiful words that empower you, boost your wellbeing, and connect you authentically with others.  Become the Master Gardener of your life by using words that are respectful, empowering, and loving.  Do not let the weeds of negative thoughts or utterances suppress your inner beauty.

QUESTION: What powerful words will you use that stirs the greatness within you?

PATIENCE IN A MOMENT OF ANGER

 An ancient Chinese Proverb says, “If you can be patient in one moment of anger you will escape 100 days of sorrow.”  Hurtful words reverberate deeply in our hearts and words spoken in anger linger in our psyche.  Therapists’ offices are filled with people who have been wounded by angry and unkind words.   I trust that you may harbor hurts that have been caused by cruel words spoken to you.  Healing ourselves with positive affirmations or compassionate thoughts facilitates the restorative journey.

Transforming memories of hurtful words into respectful and thoughtful behaviors towards yourself can be a catalyst of change. Mindfulness of how you behave when angry is the starting point of transformation. When in the heat of emotion, carefully choose words that are neutral, positive, hopeful, or encouraging.  You will benefit greatly when you have internal self-control as it is a sign of maturity and accountability.  Challenge yourself to have patience in a moment of anger and you will be rewarded with fewer regrets, less apologies, and minimal wounded relationships.

QUESTION: What are the benefits to you when you display patience in a moment of anger?

PLAYING WITH WORDS

For the next seven days play with the following words by selecting one word from this list each day:

1) Whimsical
2) Wise
3) Wellbeing
4) Winning
5) Wholehearted
6) Worthy
7) Witnessing

Each day be creative in how you apply the word you select.   Think about phrases, wits of wisdom, or quotes that inspire you.  Consider starting a conversation with co-workers, friends, or family about what these words mean to them.

When are you whimsical?  Who is the wisest person you know?  How will you enhance your wellbeing?  When do you feel like a winner? What does it mean to be wholehearted?  Where does worthiness show up in your life? How do you witness your life and the world around you?

While you are “playing” with words you will also discover new things about yourself and others.  Have fun sharing your philosophy and appreciating diverse perspectives.   Use your words to help, heal, and celebrate life.

QUESTION: Which word had the most impact on you?