So you’re trying to choose a new word to focus on during 2018. You want something that captures all of your hopes, dreams, and inspirations for the New Year. If you’re struggling to choose a theme, it can be helpful to think of one word or phrase.

Here are three reasons you might want to consider this method:

1. One word or phrase invites simplicity.

2. There’s something about a brand new year that encourages you to become an overachiever.

3. You’re ready to start a fitness regimen, get a new job, be open to love, get out of debt, eat healthily, spend more time with loved ones, go back to school, or any number of other goals.

But having just one word or phrase to guide you can simplify your resolutions. Not only does this decrease stress, it also makes it easier to focus. You’re more likely to achieve big things when you’re not feeling pressured to do it all.

One word or phrase challenges you to be intentional.

It’s easy to think of resolutions like a dessert bar filled with cakes, candy, cookies, ice cream, and other goodies. You want one of everything, so it’s easy to load up on the things you think you’re supposed to want.

But what if you flipped the script? What if instead of trying to take a bit of everything, you just picked up one decadent dessert like a creamy cheesecake topped with a sweet cherry glaze or a slice of melt-in-your-mouth peach cobbler? What if you embraced the sweetness of now with a simple choice?

One word or phrase shifts your focus.

It’s easy to fixate on what you don’t like about yourself or your life. For example, if you’re in a bad situation that you can’t change, you may keep throwing around the word “stuck.”

But choosing one word to embrace can shift your focus. What if you used the word “purpose” to remind yourself that there’s a purpose for the situation you’re in? Or what if you chose the phrase “this too shall pass?”

A lot of creative people enjoy choosing a single word to act as focal point. Elizabeth Rider has a blog post with a list of words you might want to consider. Gretchen Rubin shares the words she and loved ones have used in the past few years on her blog.

You can let others know the word you chose by going to My One Word and posting your word. You can even browse what words other people are picking for 2018 to give you some inspiration. Regardless of what word you pick, just have fun and enjoy doing it!

My new planner creates a way for you to name it, claim it and plan it this year! To learn more click here.