4 Strategies to Leverage the Power of a Single Word 1️⃣
Last week, I shared my favorite phrase to ponder as I reflect and plan on the year ahead, in business and in life – “At this phase of my life…” (or, “At this stage in our development…”).
It’s a reminder that all planning should start with understanding the intersection of who we are today and what our present context is. Only then can we properly discern what we should do in light of that.
Today is about words. More specifically, one word.
I’m a fan of words. If you asked me in high school or college, do you want to be a writer? I would have said HECK NO! That sounds boring and tedious. And yet, when my mom would come home with the latest copy of Reader’s Digest, my favorite column was “Word Power.”
(For my younger readers, Reader’s Digest was/is a popular print magazine that curated and condensed 31 articles per month of “enduring value and interest.” Incidentally, it just celebrated its 100th birthday, founded in 1922 in the aftermath of World War 1.)
While words are powerful, too many can obfuscate what you are trying to say. (I learned obfuscate from Reader’s Digest! To obfuscate is “to render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.”)
In other words, the wrong words or too many words can hurt clarity.
So today, as we stand at the dawn of 2023, let’s talk about the power of a single word focus.
Single Word Focus
A single word focus is a single word that clarifies and focuses everything you do or plan to do around a central theme.
It’s a powerful tool because used properly, it becomes a guiding light. It cuts through the fog of decision-making and setting priorities.
One of the mistakes leaders make in strategic planning (and in New Year’s resolutions) is too many focuses. They want to do many things but their ultimate goal is lost. There is no focus.
A single word focus is hardly a new idea. Any number of books recommend it. Our church has encouraged a word of the year for many years. For me, the person I’ve learned the most from about the power of a one word focus is Bobb Biehl.
The benefits of having a single word focus include:
A single word cuts through the clutter. It focuses the mind.
A single word is easy to remember.
A single word can be used as a filter in many situations.
My word for 2023
Let me share how I come up with my single word focus for the year, and then we’ll end with four practical next steps.
Over the holidays, I start thinking about my single word focus for the next year. I review my journals for the past year, and write down significant milestones, both positive and negative. And I look at my priorities, for my lifetime and the next year. In light of all that, I asked the question - “what is one word that encapsulates where I want to focus this next year?”
Some years, that word will come to me immediately. Other years, I find myself considering 2 or 3 words. But either way, it typically takes me a few weeks to settle on one single word. I think of it as auditioning each word. Does this word make sense? Can I see it applying to the most important areas of focus for the year as an overall theme?
In December, the word I kept coming back to was EXPERIMENT. My thinking was that this year is primarily about trying different things, not being too attached to any one thing, but trying many things and learning what gets traction.
But as I’ve thought about it, I think ESTABLISH is a better single word focus for me for 2023. 2022 was about LAUNCHING, in many ways… Launching into a new season of life. Launching this Wave Report, launching Imago Consulting, launching my eldest child into middle school (scary, I know! It’s going very well, thank you.).
If 2022 was about LAUNCHING, my focus in 2023 is ESTABLISHING things for the long term. Setting into place the right systems. Establishing sustainable rhythms of work and family life. Establishing relationships.
Once I have finalized my word for this year, I’ll put it in several key places: At the top of my weekly to-do list. On my calendar. And I’ll start to refer to it regularly.
If you have a word of the year, or if I’ve convinced you to consider a single word focus for 2023, here are four strategies to leverage the power of a single word:
1. Choose your one word
Step back and take a few minutes to consider 2023. What do you most want to accomplish? If you could only do a couple of things, what are the three things that will make the biggest difference?
Now, consider – what word encompasses the theme you are focusing on this year?
If it helps, here’s a list of words to get you started.
2. Talk about it with someone
Take what you are thinking, and talk about it with a friend, a spouse, or a co-worker. Someone who knows you. This has a couple of benefits:
Feedback – if this person knows you and wants the best for you, they can provide you with good feedback, be a listening ear, and maybe even help you process.
Accountability – if it’s the right person, they can help keep you accountable. That could be as simple as asking them, “would you mind asking me periodically how I’m doing with this single word focus?”
3. Write it down in a visible way
In my experience, if you don’t put it in places where you will see it and interact with it at least weekly, it’s likely to be quickly forgotten. But by putting it in places where you will see it, you are more likely to remember it when making decisions, or deciding on priorities.
4. Use it!
Don’t overthink this. Ask yourself - “is this [decision, task, priority, goal] going to get me closer to the goal of my word for this year?”
For me, words like this help me when I’m reviewing my to-do list and setting priorities – for example, should I prioritize writing a particular piece, making a certain phone call, or scheduling time to set up a particular system?
I also will refer to my word when I’m journaling. Am I making progress? Have other priorities come up that have caused me to reconsider? Do I need to refocus?
Everyone is different, but you should look for ways that work for you. The point is to do what works for you to keep your word top of mind and help you make quality decisions all year long.
Until next week… Surfs Up! 🌊
- Dave
About the Author | Dave Raley
Consultant, speaker, and writer Dave Raley is the founder of Imago Consulting, a firm that helps non-profits and businesses create profitable growth through sustainable innovation. He’s the author of a weekly trendspotting report called The Wave Report, and the co-founder of the Purpose & Profit Podcast — a show about the ideas at the intersection of nonprofit causes and for-profit brands.
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