I decided that whatever I was, wanted to do with my life, it would have to have something to do with exploration and doing new things.
– Duane G. Carey, American Astronaut
This is the 10th anniversary of my sharing the concept of One Word. My colleague and friend, Jeanie Burke, introduced me to this idea at the end of 2015. It involves choosing one word to express your resolutions/hopes/wishes/goals for the coming year. I’ve been amazed at the impact of this seemingly simple exercise.
There’s a lot of information available on the One Word concept. My research indicates that the idea became a movement due to the writings and work of Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page, and you can find more information on their website, Get One Word. Simply, instead of making a list of specific resolutions, which are often abandoned or forgotten by February, choose one word as your theme for the coming year.
What’s the impact of choosing one word? And what’s my choice for 2025?
Committing to one word as an annual theme has been transformative for me. While I retain the all-important “to-do” lists that remind me of the urgent, necessary and creative tasks of my life, my one word helps me determine my priorities.
For example, my word for 2024 has been FOCUS. My ability to focus has been one of my superpowers for most of my life. But as I’ve aged, taken on more responsibilities and accepted the arrival of new technologies, I’ve definitely become someone who’s more easily distracted. I find this extremely annoying!
Here’s a sample of what I discovered by keeping FOCUS top of mind:
- I’m much less distracted when working with pen and paper. While this isn’t always practical, it’s essential for me when I do long-term planning or want to do my best creative work.
- List-making has always been part of how I get things done, but these days, my lists are often so long they can create inertia – a temptation to procrastinate. Not helpful! After working with several types of planners, both digital and paper-based, I finally found Creator’s Friend. It is a small family-run notebook studio based in far north Queensland, Australia. The company’s Fast Brain Daily Productivity Planner helps me plan my day, choose my priorities, and re-ignite my focus after unexpected interruptions.
- My focus is at its best when I take the time to exercise, even for 10 minutes. It is amazing what a quick walk in my neighbourhood or tapping into my Justin Agustin videos does to re-ignite my focus.
For 2025, my word is EXPLORE.
It comes to us from the 1580s, “to investigate, examine,” a back-formation of exploration, or else from French explorer (16c.), from Latin explorare “investigate, search out, examine, explore,” said to be originally a hunters’ term.
There are so many things I want to do and need to do that spark my curiosity. For example, I need to update my book, The Phone Book. While it’s filled with great information, a lot has changed about phone communication since it was first published.
And my clients’ needs have changed. While both companies and individuals remain ready and interested in improving their communication skills, I want to research new ways of delivering the information. Evergreen training is something I’ve begun exploring to support my clients who have consistent onboarding needs.
Then, there are all the challenges we encounter in our communities and in the world today. I’m curious if my skill set can contribute to long-lasting solutions.
I’m setting myself up to explore a wide variety of ideas and activities. I look forward to sharing the results with you at this time next year.
And speaking of “next year,” I want to wish each of you a lovely holiday season, whatever that means for you. And that 2025 contains laughter, friendship and moments of great joy.
As part of how I honour this time of year, I’ve supported Feed Nova Scotia through the Case of Compassion 2024 fundraising campaign organized by Bishop’s Cellar, creating 113 meals, and making a donation to Soul’s Harbour Rescue Mission that will provide about 150 meals.
Now, what I want to know is … what’s your one word for 2025? What does it represent? Do share in the comment section below. Hearing from you year after year continues to motivate others to give this powerful practice a try.
#InspireConversation! If you’d like to learn more about my journey with choosing one word, you can read about the impact of past words here:
- 2016: https://thephonelady.com/the-one-word-resolution/
- 2017: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-2017/
- 2018: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-2018/
- 2019: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-for-2019/
- 2020: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-for-2020/
- 2021: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-for-2021/
- 2022: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-for-2022/
- 2023: https://thephonelady.com/one-word-for-2023/
Hi Mary Jane. I look forward to hearing your “word” each year. Explore is a great word.
I connected with the Focus last year and the magic of pen and paper. It removes much of the distraction with Apps and open programs on the computer. One of my favourite ways to focus is to close my email for a couple of hours and turn off my notifications.
I have a phrase for 2025 that I will share with you.
“And then what…” this is my word(s) for 2025.
Each step of my plan in 2025 leads me to open a new door and step up to create the next step. The path is upward and with each step up achieved the view allows me to see more of the horizon for new opportunities. All the best, Glenn
Ooooo … thanks for sharing this, Glenn. I really like the idea of moving through the year asking yourself this question which, as you say, will open new doors and work to illuminate next steps. I’m looking forward to hearing how this impacts your year.
Interesting since I was just working on this, and chose Focus, which was your word for 2024.
In the last few weeks a few incidences and webinars I listened to have slowly guided me towards this.
Like you, I have found myself distracted more often than in the past and the consequences were significant enough that I see that it would be extremely beneficial to be more intentional and focused.
Great word, Aviva. It certainly supported me throughout this past year. The history of this word is fascinating. In the 1640s it’s primary meaning was “point of convergence” and, from the Latin, focus was related to “hearth, fireplace, home, family”. It was introduced into English 1650s and the meaning “center of activity or energy” was first recorded in 1796. That idea of “centre of activity or energy” helped me always return to my priorities of the hour, day, week, etc. and accomplish the things that were most important to both the company and to me personally. I look forward to hearing how it guides your throughout the coming year.
I’ve been thinking about my word for 2025 – I think it’s Initiate! Thanks for introducing me to the concept. 2024 was Determine and a lot changed!
Initiate is an interesting word. Here’s some background on the origins and meanings of the word as a verb: It comes to us from 1600, meaning to “introduce to some practice or system,” also “begin, set going”. In classical Latin the meaning is “to instruct in mysteries or sacred knowledge.” Also it is connected to “initium” meaning “a beginning; an entrance”. Sounds to me like you’ll have a lot of interesting new adventures in 2025. Thanks for sharing, Jo.
Empathy
“the ability to share someone else’s feelings or experiences by imagining what it would be like to be in that person’s situation”
Thanks for this great exercise – it really makes me think in retro of 2024, what I would like to focus on in 2025. Wish you and yours all the best. Hugs.
Empathy is not only a powerful word but, for me, an essential skill in helping us navigate life. Here’s what I wrote about it in a blog post in 2021: There’s a simple logic to empathy that makes it one of the most powerful skills we can develop. And it’s available to everyone … with a little practice. And here’s the link to that blog post: https://thephonelady.com/the-logic-of-employing-empathy/ Thanks so much, Lars, for sharing your thoughts on this one-word exercise and for sharing your word. Hugs right back to you.
I’ve started to write here 3 times now and the words that keep bubbling up are “re” words, like refocus, rejuvenate, re-energize, even relax 😉 They are all a ‘re’flection of the past year. So I’m going to share your word ‘explore’ because it’s way more fun and inspiring.
I like all your “re” words, Linda. And I think it is insightful that you acknowledge they are a “re”flection of aspects of your world in 2024. So now it is time to explore. As you and I work together regularly, we’ll be able to compare notes on how our exploration is going, what areas we are diving into. For example, part of my exploration is going back to basics in learning how to speak fluent French. It is something I’ve wanted to accomplish forever. I wonder what my exploring the language at this stage will create/accomplish?