Transforming Your Future: The Power of a Single Word
Written on
Chapter 1: The Excitement of Goal Setting
Are you thrilled by the idea of setting new objectives?
I find great joy in the goal-setting journey. Each year, before my birthday in December, I dedicate time to reflect on the areas of my life that could use some improvement. By the time my birthday arrives, I’m equipped with a comprehensive list of ambitions for the year ahead.
Historically, my success with these ambitions has varied, with some being accomplished while others missed the mark.
Last year, I decided to approach things differently. Instead of outlining numerous tasks, I focused on a single, meaningful word that captured the emotions I wanted to experience throughout the year.
This minor shift had a profound impact on my year.
The challenge with traditional goal setting is predicting how you will feel about them later on. Life can throw unexpected challenges our way that might make us reconsider our initial ambitions. However, when we base our future plans on desired feelings, we gain much-needed flexibility.
Moreover, achieving a goal doesn't always equate to happiness.
As we strive for our objectives, there's often another, more alluring goal waiting just beyond the horizon.
We’ve all experienced this cycle: you lose some weight, yet confidence remains elusive; your salary increases, but you still feel stuck; acquiring that dream car doesn't alleviate feelings of inadequacy.
It’s a continuous loop of dissatisfaction.
Rekindling Your Enthusiasm
Danielle LaPorte, the author of "The Desire Map," suggests reevaluating your goals from a fresh angle. Instead of fixating on what you want to accomplish, consider how you wish to feel when you achieve those goals. By reshaping your objectives around these desired emotions, you can gain a richer and deeper perspective.
For me, last year’s objective was to inject excitement into every facet of my life. I wanted every endeavor to inspire a sense of enthusiasm within me.
If an experience felt merely satisfactory or somewhat off, that was a signal indicating it wasn’t right for me. This shift in perspective allowed me to assess my career and social interactions more clearly.
I began to ask whether these areas contributed to my desired feeling of excitement. If they didn’t, it became evident that a change was necessary.
Choosing Your Guiding Word
My method is akin to creating a vision board. Start by gathering magazines and cutting out images that resonate with you. Don’t overthink their significance; just begin collecting.
Alternatively, you can create Pinterest boards or save posts from Instagram. After gathering a variety of images, reflect on the emotions they evoke.
These feelings could range from excitement and comfort to happiness. Whatever they are, jot them down to compile a comprehensive list.
From this collection, select words that will guide you in the upcoming year. Feel free to revise your choices or add new words until you arrive at a concise list that feels right.
Once you’ve chosen your words, consider how they might shape your year. For instance, if one of your words is ‘joy,’ ask yourself whether your work brings you joy.
What changes would need to be made to ensure that your year is filled with joy? Would it be time to seek new job opportunities or delegate tasks?
You might find yourself setting a few concrete goals, which is perfectly fine as long as they align with your desired emotions.
The key is to engage in activities that uplift your spirit and bring you joy.
If your goal is to achieve tranquility, focus on establishing objectives centered around peace.
Getting Started: Embrace Your Desires
- Consider Your Desired Feelings: Reflect on how you wish to feel in your lifestyle, wellness, relationships, and social interactions. Write down your thoughts freely for each category.
- Identify Patterns: Look for repeated words or emerging themes within your lists.
- Select One Word: Explore your emotions deeply. For example, what you perceive as “success” might actually be tied to freedom, love, or creativity.
- Self-Reflection: Ask yourself what actions, possessions, or experiences are necessary to nurture your core desired feelings.
The goal is that the next time you establish your objectives, you’ll be driven by what makes you feel good—there’s no better motivation to stick to them.
As December approaches and I prepare to celebrate my milestone 50th birthday, I’m ready to apply all the lessons learned from the past year.
This marks an exhilarating new chapter, an opportunity for reinvention and personal growth.
I am eager to meticulously plan and passionately chase my grand ambitions and dreams. Turning 50 isn’t merely about celebrating a birthday; it’s about embracing a stage of life filled with potential and promise.
Here’s to setting ambitious goals, embarking on thrilling adventures, and achieving great things. Here’s to turning 50—fearless and fabulous!
Chapter 2: Embracing Change Through One Word
This first video features Jon Gordon discussing how a single word can profoundly alter your life. He shares insights on focusing on that one word to drive your goals and aspirations.
In this second video from the Positive University Podcast, the concept of “One Word That Will Change Your Life” is explored, providing practical tips on how to select and implement your guiding word for the year ahead.