Are You Choosing One Word of the Year? Join Our Community!
If you’re looking for accountability for your One Word journey, !
Need help finding your One Word? See 7 tips for choosing your One Word of the Year.
When You Lose Your Word
Instead of New Year’s resolutions, a modern trend is to choose one word (or phrase) to concentrate on for a year. It’s often easier to keep up with one word than a list of resolutions.
Did you choose one word last year?
Were you excited when you chose it?
How long did it last?
If you’re like me, you get excited for a fresh start. Turning the corner into a new year brings hope.
But as the year drags on—or speeds by—our One Word can get tangled up in the barrage of words that assault us on a daily basis.
Sometimes we forget all about the word we’ve chosen. It gets lost in the noise.
And when we don’t intentionally watch for our word, we also can miss the gifts that can come through our words.
A Monthly Nudge for One Words
To encourage you, you’re invited to our small intentional community specifically for discussing our individual words.
It is a place to nudge each other at least once a month to remember our unique words we’ve each chosen.
- To hear and be heard
- To ask, “Where have you seen your word?”
- To share ideas
- To stay alert for gifts found through our words
Sign Up for One Word Community
If you’d like to engage with us monthly, sign up here.
On the 17th of each month, I’ll send you an email reminder.
On the 24st of each month, we’ll meet back here at the blog to catch up and chat.
Also, if you blog or instagram or write a Facebook post about your word anytime during the month (but not required!), you can add your links here in the comments. Others can benefit by following along your journey.
If you’re interested in joining our private One Word Facebook group, join here. We can talk about our One Words there anytime during the month.
Ready When You Are
Sometimes we choose our word. Sometimes our word chooses us.
However you receive your word of the year (or if you’re still waiting for it), we’d love to hear about it in our community.
For myself, I appreciate your accountability.
I’ve seen our words do some amazing things in years past. I’d love to see it happen again this year. Together.
And if you’d like, join our Facebook group here.
Read more:
- 3 steps to choose One Words
- Take this quiz from Dayspring to get your Word of the Year
- Questions to ask yourself about your One Word
- 7 Tips for Choosing Your One Word of the Year
Did you have one word last year? Do you have one word for the upcoming year? Please share in the comments.
This is just the push I needed to start listening.
And I need more focused listening myself. I keep hearing several different variations of a word but haven’t settled in on one yet. I’m so glad you’ll be joining in, Michele! You’re always an asset to any group.
Me too, Michele. I needed to read the post and to get nudged back to doing this. Thanks, Lisa.
I’m very happy you’ll be joining us, Linda!!!
Thank you for forming this wonderful community to help keep us all accountable for our word. I’m in! Looking forward to it.
Yay! So glad you’re in, Laurie! I know your word is going to challenge me as well.
What a marvelous idea, Lisa! I’ll sign up for sure. And yes, I believe my word for 2021 has found me; I’ll disclose later. 🙂
Blessings!
I look forward to hearing your word, Martha! Thanks for joining in with us. Your wisdom and faith will be valuable here.
I don’t have a “one word” chosen and I’m not sure if I will do it this year, Lisa. I do find that I lose sight of it after at least two or three months. I see the value in it though. It really has pushed me to try harder in the areas where I’ve chosen. But I will have to think and pray on it before I decide to do it this year. Thanks for the gentle nudge and may God bless your community of support. What a great idea!
Not every year is meant to have a word, so I totally understand what you’re saying, Beth. I hope that you have a blessed Christmas season and if you’re like me, looking ahead already to NEXT Christmas when hopefully things can be more normal again with our sweet grandbabies.
Lisa, I start well and just don’t continue. I wondered if I were to focus on my purpose instead–encouraging transparency–if that would be better. Your thoughts? I love the idea of it, but never end up continuing. Ugh.
Lynn
I think that’s quite common, Lynn. And even more so with a list of resolutions–to start strong but fade off. Having just one word (or phrase) has been more manageable to me. 🙂 I love your premise though of focusing on your purpose–that’s definitely a worthy goal for all of us every year.
(And “purpose” is a great one word choice as well as “transparency”. lol. You may have just given some ideas to someone!)
Ha! on my purpose encouraging someone’s one word!!! I do love the premise. And sometimes I think (being perfectionist that I am), I make lots of goals beneath one word, and want to look up *all* bible verses, hymn/song lyrics containing it, know the word etymology, look up quotes, and on and on and on. So I discourage myself w/ research! 🙂 I’m praying about it, b/c I love the idea, but again, my purpose is focus enough perhaps. It would also be a blog idea for your to write about purpose. 🙂 Just a thought. I love ALL you write, the way you think, and how you apply. And, of course, I’m sure I join other commenters in looking forward to your own personal one-word reveal!
xo
L
My One Word? It doesn’t come always in January – sometimes it’s June, Sometime’s September. Last year, it came in December – and it was the word Prayer. I’ve realized that one word (or sometimes a phrase) is a class my dad has enrolled me in and uses the year to teach me about it. Instead of digging in to tons of theology and all sorts of books over the word or phrase – I let Him lead. I’ve learned not to feel behind – but to understand He’s taking me places I’ve not been yet with that one word! Looking forward to it!
That’s a beautiful way to frame it, Maryleigh! We can’t box God into a set timeframe. Some years my words have spread over several years, and sometimes the “class” gets cut short midsemester and God moves on to a new topic. 🙂 Being open to his guidance and presence is the main thing, whatever form or structure (or lack thereof) it takes. Thanks, friend.
…hope is my word.
Hope is definitely an apt word for our times, Tom!
I have chosen “one word” for the past 7-8 years. And while I have not yet finalized my word for 2021, I look forward to being a part of a community that encourages one another to remain faithful to the word … and His guidance. Thank you for this opportunity.
That’s awesome, Molly! We’ll be blessed to have you as part of our community here. I haven’t yet finalized my word either; I thought I had it, but God keeps nudging me to see it from more angles, so I haven’t settled yet.
I used to do a word activity with my students when we returned each new year!
Your students are definitely blessed to have you as their teacher, Tamar. I love reading on your blog how you make learning fun and meaningful with them.
I don’t have a one word yet, but this sounds like a fun accountability group. You have a great idea here.
Thanks, Theresa. I’m still working on my word myself. I’m looking forward to hearing what everyone settles on!
I haven’t done a 1 Word in years because I forgot about it in no time flat.
But there is a word that’s stayed with me for most of this year. I guess I need to decide if I should make it official.
I love the prompt and invitation to accountability, Lisa …
Good stuff!
Hmmm…you’ve got me curious, Linda! 🙂 Let us know if you make it official. I’m sure it’s a heavyweight.
Yes, of course a have a word,
my choice can’t be improved;
after I with God conferred,
we settled choice on “Dude!”
It has a jolly ringing tone,
a roughly-hewn insouciance,
and can be used to answer phone
(though it makes of one a nuisance).
My word last year was ‘whatever’,
and it really seeme to fit,
so I expect”Dude!” will deliver
more than a little bit
a spirit of bright summer fun
now that 2020’s done.
Ha. Very fitting for you, Andrew! Glad you’re here to provide some levity as well as perspective to our group. “Whatever” would definitely have been a helpful philosophy this year to stay flexible (not my forte, sigh).
I haven’t done a One Word since 2016, but I always love to read posts of those who take it seriously and follow its impact in their lives that year. So this is a wonderful idea, Lisa. I have been wondering if I should start up again this year, but no definite word has come to me yet. I will have to pray about it some more. Since I’m not on Facebook, I’m so glad you’ll be sharing here at your blog. Love and blessings to you!
I know; it’s fun to follow other people’s words too! I love watching how God unfolds it in our lives in ways we couldn’t see coming at the beginning of the year. (He really outdid himself with surprises this year!) Hope you’re doing well, Trudy, and have a wonderful Christmas.
Signed up! As well as accountability — I could do with ideas of what to “do” with the word. Great idea to have a place to meet around the activity.
Great! I’m honored that you’re going to be joining us, David. I always appreciate hearing your perspective on things so I’m glad you’ll be part of the group. Hopefully as a group we can help each other come up with ways to “do” our words. That’s important to me as well.
This is such a great idea! It is easy to start with enthusiasm and then to forget about our word along the way. I’ve had a word for the year since 2016 and some years it’s had a huge influence, others not so much. My word for 2020 was “vision” which has seemed like a bit of a joke at times, though I do believe God has spoken to me through it as well. I may have a word for 2021 but I’m not sure yet. If I do go with it, I’d love to join in with your group.
It’s been especially interesting to see our 2020 words in light of the pandemic! Crazy. Vision was definitely an apt pick, and I can also see how it would be confusing this year. 🙂 If you do end up with a word for 2021, please do join us, Lesley.
It sounds like an interesting challenge. I have seen these in the past, but I’ve never played along.
Yes, I’ve joined a group or two in the past but the ones I joined didn’t have much interaction past January. So I’m looking forward to engaging with each other here all year long.
This sounds like a good plan for one-word choosers. I’ve never made resolutions or chosen a word for the new year. A few years ago, the Lord led me to a Bible verse that was my verse for the year. Acts 17:28b, “In him we live and move and have our being.” (ESV) And the Lord really helped me remember to focus on it throughout the year. Not sure what I’ll do for 2021. I’ll revisit this post if a word chooses me. 🙂
I love the idea of choosing a verse for the year too. I try to choose a verse to accompany my word of the year, but I haven’t always done that. Thanks for reminding me that I need to do that this year, Karen! Please do revisit and join if you decide to choose a word or a verse for 2021.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, Lisa. I have my word for 2021; I just need to figure out how to introduce it. 🙂 I’ve had a word for several years now but this is the first time it’s a word that already has inspired several blog post ideas in my mind. Being part of your group will be just the motivation I need to actually write them!
Yay! This makes me smile, Lois. I look forward to hearing what your word is! You’re good at incorporating your word into your life and your blog posts. We’re blessed to have you in the group!
Ahhh, Lisa. I LOVE this idea. I’ve focused on one word for a number of years. Some years I have done better than others in being intentional to focus on said word. This year, God kept bringing it to mind and helping me to learn lessons in the midst of hard things and COVID and everything else. I’m looking forward to joining this group and hearing/reading others’ thoughts about their words!
I know exactly what you mean, Jeanne. I laughed when I looked back at my word from 2018 (Mystery) and could remember hardly anything about it! I guess it’s still somewhat of a mystery. 😉 My 2020 word really stuck though, and I have a feeling that our 2021 words will stick as well. Thank you for being a part of our community!
Lisa, FANTASTIC Idea! I have been sporadic at best with my word of the year, but this group will help me not only with my own word, but learning from others as hey walk through 2021 with theirs! So excited!
We’ll definitely benefit by having your experience and wisdom in our group, Donna! I love the things you bring to the table. You’d be a wonderful next door neighbor to have in real life I’m sure. 🙂
Lisa, you’re a sweetheart! Such kind words, thank you. I believe I will benefit greatly from this group, so excited! Funny about the next door neighbor comment, I have thought that about YOU!! That’s why I love your videos, I feel like I’m here with you…LOL
Two words are stirring.
I’m trying to narrow it down as well. I heard one word early on, but kept revising it. But I’m thinking I may need to return to the original word! 🙂
Of course I want to join this idea. Thank you for organizing it. Haven’t really decided my word for sure yet but am leaning towards GO. Will continue to pray the next few weeks about this. Actually I am just now diving deep into 2021 planning and that is often where a word emerges. Looking forward to exploring our words together in 2021. Thanks Lisa and Merry Christmas
Ooh, I think “GO” will definitely suit you, Jean. It’s a challenging word but I know you would be able to tackle it with a strong faith. I look forward to seeing what word you choose and how God moves through it in you!
Last year my one word was “good” – I thought how bland, how ordinary…and yet that word has carried me through the rollercoaster year that has been 2020. Through everything, my word has helped me find the “good” and hold on knowing that with God, all things work together for my good and His glory. Has this year been “good”, maybe not in ways we expected, but yes – it has been good. And I think it will be “good” to see it end. LOL!
I know what you mean that “good” may sound so ordinary, yet when we attach God to it, it becomes profoundly important! If I didn’t trust his goodness, I’d be hopeless. I’ve noticed that MANY songs that I save on my playlist all center around God’s goodness. I need those reminders. What a wonderful word you chose for 2020, Donna.
I agree with you that it will be “good” to see this year end. 🙂
I’ve been wondering about all the one word 2020’s I’ve been seeing on fellow bloggers sites. And, I had been wondering how I could Join in. And, here you are. I will be joining in. You say a phrase or a word correct? I just became involved with link-up’s for the first time this summer. I participate in just a few. Blessings to you.
Visiting from #TellingHisStory
I’m so glad you found a way to join in, Paula! We’re happy to have you. You can do it however you want to. Most people choose one word (or two), but it’s all up to you. I usually pick one word, and add a verse to go with it.
My word came to me about a month ago. “Challenge” Not exactly the word I wanted after 2020! I’ve resisted it, even praying for a different word. But I keep feeling God nudging me back toward it.
You are a brave woman, Beckey. 🙂 And I hear you. I’ve been resisting my word the past few weeks, yet God keeps returning me to it again and again, so like you, I’m giving in and going with it. God knows what he’s doing more than we do, and he knows what will help us the most. I’m sure he will bring you blessings through Challenge as he stays at your side with it.
I love One Word! Hello, this is one of my favorites for Encouraging Hearts and Home, this week! I hope you stop by and say hello, this post has been pinned! Thank you for being a part of Encouraging Hearts and Home, we appreciate all that you share. Have a great week ahead!
Thanks, Melynda. I appreciate you sharing about our One Word group! I’ve been encouraged by those who have signed up for it. Thanks also for hosting the Encouraging Hearts and Home linkup. I always enjoy seeing the links there and visiting around.
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I am so late with my One Word.
I have decided today (after reading a blog about it) to choose a keyword this year: obedience (based on faith in Jesus Christ)
God bless you all.
You aren’t too late, Aritha! There is no timetable for when God gives you your word, so I’m glad you are sharing your word “Obedience” and that you joined the Facebook group! May God bless you too as you focus on obeying him.