Hey marketers! As we enter the new year, it's time to start setting some goals and making some resolutions. But let's be real, it's easy to get excited about the new year and all the possibilities it brings, but it can be tough to stay motivated and actually achieve those goals. That's where the concept of a "word of the year" comes in.

A word of the year is a single word that serves as a guiding principle or theme for the year ahead. It can be a powerful tool for focusing your efforts and staying motivated throughout the year. By choosing a word of the year and incorporating it into your daily routine and decision-making process, you can set yourself up for success in the coming year.

I’ve created several over the past 10 years, though — funny enough — I didn’t for 2020, which is fine, because, as we all know, the world turned upside down with the pandemic (and my cancer treatments).

For me, the word "refigure" has been particularly meaningful in the past year.

It's all about recalculating, rearranging, and adapting in order to improve and optimize. As a marketer, I've found that refiguring my approach to various tasks and challenges has helped me stay flexible and adaptable in the face of change. And you know what? I'm sticking with it for another year. I don't feel like I'm done with it yet, and I believe it still has a lot of value and relevance for me as I continue to grow and develop in my career.

But what if you're not sure what word of the year to choose? No worries, here are a few steps you can take to find the right word for you:

1. Reflect on your values and priorities: What's most important to you in your personal and professional life? Consider choosing a word that aligns with your values and priorities and will help you stay focused on what matters most to you.

2. Look for words that inspire and motivate you: Choose a word that resonates with you and makes you feel energized and motivated. You might want to consider words that relate to growth, creativity, or resilience, for example.

3. Consider your goals for the year: What are your goals for the coming year? Think about which words can help you achieve those goals and keep you motivated and focused along the way.

4. Experiment with different words: Don't be afraid to try out different words and see how they feel. You might find that a particular word doesn't work for you, or that you need to switch to a different word as the year progresses.

Once you've chosen your word of the year, here are a few tips for incorporating it into your daily routine and decision-making process:

1. Set specific goals and action steps: Use your word of the year to guide your goal-setting and planning process. Consider how your word can help you achieve your goals and what specific action steps you need to take to get there.

2. Use your word as a reminder: Place your word of the year in a visible location, like on your desk or in your planner so that you can see it every day. You can also set reminders on your phone or use a daily planner to help keep you on track.

3. Share your word with others: Consider sharing your word of the year with your colleagues, friends, or social media followers. This can help you stay accountable to your goals and get support and encouragement from others. By sharing your word of the year with others, you can also inspire them to set their own goals and choose their own words of the year, which can create a sense of community and accountability.

4. Use your word as a filter: When faced with decisions or challenges, ask yourself how your word of the year can help guide your actions. For example, if your word is "resilience," you might ask yourself how you can approach a situation with determination and perseverance.

5. Seek out opportunities to practice your word: Look for opportunities to put your word of the year into action. For example, if your word is "innovation," you might seek out new projects or initiatives that allow you to be creative and try out new ideas.

6. Reflect on your progress: Periodically check in with yourself and reflect on how your word of the year has helped you stay motivated and on track. Consider what has worked well and what you might need to adjust in order to continue making progress toward your goals.

Choosing a word of the year is like the ultimate New Year's resolution. It's your way to set goals for yourself and stay motivated throughout the year. So pick something that resonates with you, whether it's about growth, creativity, resilience or whatever else speaks to you. And if you don't stick with this one-word resolution? Well, there's always next year! 

And remember, be flexible and adaptable – you might need to adjust your goals as the year goes on. I know I have, especially over these past few years.