See Your Word Through Someone Else’s Eyes
{One Word 2026 August Linkup}
One reason I love choosing a word to guide my year is because I get to spend twelve months thinking about what it means to me.
But the same word doesn’t mean the same thing to every person.
So this month, get a fresh perspective on your word by having a few conversations about it.
You don’t need a One Word to try this. Pick a value, question, or idea you’ve been thinking about and ask three people what it means to them.
We often learn something new about things that matter to us when we hear what they mean to others.
Start Three Conversations
Over the next week or so, choose three people—from friends, family, coworkers, neighbors—and start a casual conversation with each one about your word or topic.
Here are some questions you might ask to get the conversation going about your word or something you’ve been thinking about—a value you’re living by, a question you’re considering, a quality you admire.
- When you hear about this, what comes to mind?
- What do you think is the opposite of it?
- How often do you encounter this in everyday life?
- What’s one way you think I could practice it?
Just go wherever the conversation takes you.
What Will You Discover?
You may be surprised to discover that someone else thinks differently about your word in a way you haven’t even considered.
That’s part of the joy of conversation. We don’t have to figure out everything on our own. We’re designed for community, so let’s take advantage of it.
You may discover something new about the person you’re talking with as well.
Shifting Thoughts
Here are a few things I learned when I had three conversations about my One Word Shift. Not surprisingly, none of these people noticed Shift as often as in their daily lives as I do since I’m listening for it.
hubby gave me some “Shift” stickers
Define Shift
I love the range of meanings I heard. All three people had different definitions. Each person approached it from a different perspective, which is exactly the kind of input I wanted.
- Gear shift on a car
- A change in direction
- Off-kilter
Opposite of Shift
Again, I got three different answers, giving me even more to think about.
- Automatic
- Stagnation
- Stable
Practicing Shift
Suggesting ways to practice Shift is harder, but I did get these suggestions.
- Buy a vehicle that’s not automatic (this one is from my husband, lol)
- Change the way you believe or react to something
- Do something out of the ordinary
Fittingly, after hearing someone else’s perspectives, I’m shifting the way I think about Shift.
Sometimes a shift can be dramatic, like a complete change in direction. Or a shift may be more subtle, like changing from “automatic” to “manual” mode in my thinking. Or a shift can be action-filled, breaking me free from a stagnant season to try something out of the ordinary.
Share With Us
If you have conversations too about your word or topic, I’d love to hear about them. Share your experiences in a comment below, in a blog post for our linkup (open now until September 9), or in our One Word Facebook group.
Sometimes our words grow more meaningful when we stop considering them alone and start talking about them with others.
Our September monthly linkup opens Saturday, September 26.
Question for you:
Who is someone you would like to have a conversation with about your word or a topic that’s on your mind? Share in the comments.
If you’d like to receive our monthly One Word emails and ideas for 2026, join here.