“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”  Proverbs 16:3

Well, here we are again … crossing the threshold into another New Year. 

When I was younger, my friends and I would make New Year’s resolutions – lose 5 pounds, drink more water, exercise daily, eat better, and so on. You know how it goes. Generally, those resolutions lasted 4 – 6 weeks – maybe three months max – before they were pushed aside and forgotten.

Later, as an adult, I abandon those empty resolutions and adopted the practice of choosing a verse of scripture from the Bible for the year. Something to read and focus on throughout the year as a means of self-improvement. I liked the positive motivation I gained from my choice each year; however, I again found myself falling into a pattern of either choosing a similar verse each year or just relying on some of my favorites:

This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It just wasn’t pushing me to branch out or stretch myself in new ways. That trend ran its course and I found myself in need of something different to find, set, and maintain my focus for self-improvement in each New Year. That’s when I came across the idea of choosing a word for the year. 

Just one word.

I love words. I love the challenge of finding just the right word. I love committing to that word and seeing how I can apply it to different aspects of my life using it in various contexts encouraging growth, reflection, and renewal. I feel like choosing just one-word challenges me to take action, engage with, and apply that word and its meaning. 

In the past, a New Year’s word would just come to me and be my word. I just knew what I wanted it to be. Most recently, it has been the word Intentional … for two years. I had a lot of work to do in that area apparently. This year it hasn’t been as easy to choose. Those words considered include impact, value, identity, vision, and I (I like the challenge of this short word that means so much). 

How about you? Have you made a resolution? Have you chosen a verse of scripture from the Bible? Have you chosen one word? 

Maybe you should consider it. 

You may be wondering which word I picked.

Worth.

I want to be cognizant of what is worth my time, energy, and resources. What in my life is really worth it?

I also want to remind myself of my worth. I am deserving. I am valuable. I am worth it.

To begin my exploration of this word and what it means to me in my life and work, I found some scriptures that support it and give me a foundation for reflection and motivation in this new year:

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”    Philippians 4:8

^“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”    Luke 12:6-7

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” Proverbs 31:10

So, here we are again crossing the threshold of a New Year. A New Year of possibilities and opportunities. Open Doors that are mine to close. What will you do with this gift of the present? What will keep you positive, focused, and motivated as you head into the unknown days ahead?

Just one word may help you sort it out, accomplish your goals, and stretch you farther.

Happy New Year! 

* Jon Gordon, speaker and author of The Power of Positive Leadership (along with numerous other books) is promoting the One Word Challenge. He even co-authored a book about it – One Word that Will Change Your Life. I encourage you to accept the challenge. Choose your word and see how you can use it on your journey through this New Year.