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4 Steps to Pick the Perfect Focus Word

 

It is no secret that I love goal setting and I know that getting more focused on tracking my goals has been a huge part of my feelings of success over the past couple of years. One of the goal setting tips I love is choosing a focus word to guide your year.

 

Last year, my word for the year was PURPOSEFUL. I had wanted to make sure that all of my goals lined up with what I believed God’s purpose was for me and do carry out all of my actions with that specific purpose in mind. It was a fantastic year and I do feel like overall, my year was filled with purpose and joy.

 

Please note that you don’t have to just pick a word for the year. If you don’t feel like committing to a focus word for a full 12 months, maybe try for 6 months or even just a month at a time.

 

 

HOW TO PICK YOUR PERFECT FOCUS WORD

 

STEP 1: REFLECT ON THE LAST YEAR

 

I have shared a full post on working through a personal end of the year reflection, so be sure to check that out for more details. In short, completing a personal reflection will have you going through your past highlights, reviewing what worked and didn’t work and listing what you are grateful for.

It may seem like looking at the past isn’t beneficial for your future, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! Having a strong foundation to build on is key and this is your defining step!

 

STEP 2: PRAY

 

Once you have finished your reflection, spend some time in prayer or reading a devotional to help get your mind in the right place. Your word of the year should really tie back to something that you are working on with God. He is the one who will fuel you through the next 12 months, so be sure to spend some time praying about what God wants your next year to look like instead of painting your own picture.

 

 

STEP 3: IMAGINE YOURSELF 12 MONTHS IN THE FUTURE

 

What have you done? How do you feel? Write it out!

 

This step will also help you start thinking through a few of your yearly goals, so be sure to take some time here and not rush it!

 

 

STEP 4: REVIEW YOUR RESPONSES AND LOOK FOR TRENDS

 

The hard parts are over! Now, take a few minutes to look through the things you wrote down and search for trends. Do any words pop up multiple times?

 

Circle similar words or phrases in your notes or highlight anything that pops out at you.

 

 

I went through all of these steps and ended up with 4 words that caught my attention.

 

FOCUS

 

STABILITY

 

STEWARDSHIP

 

WELL

 

 

To help me work through those words, I went to Dictionary.com and looked up the definitions. I also did a search through the index of my Bible to find verses that related to each word.

After looking up definitions and verses, I decided on my word for 2018.

 

 

STEWARDSHIP

 

Definition: The responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth caring for and preserving.

Verse: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10

 

I started this process thinking that FOCUS was going to be my word for the year, but after going through the steps and looking up definitions and verses, I knew that Stewardship embodied what I want my 2018 to look like.

 

The Lord has given me unique gifts and testimonies that I am responsible for overseeing and protecting.

 

I want to be a good steward of my daughter and my marriage and help my family grow closer to Jesus. I want to be a good steward of our finances and make sure we plan well for the future.

 

I want to be a good steward of my writing, and help and encourage you, as readers through your next 12 months. I want to be a good steward of my health and strengthen my body after a couple of intense surgeries last year.

 

Picking a focus word for the year has helped me a great deal in setting up my yearly goals and I love keeping a card with my word on in next to my desk to remind me daily of what I am aiming for.

 

So that is how it is done, folks! 4 simple steps to picking a focus word for the year.

Be sure to write your answers to all of these steps down! It will be really helpful to look back on what you wrote down when you get ready to pick your next focus word. I like to use my Powersheets Goal Planner to document my process, but feel free just to use any journal you have! (I love this journal from Target)

 

If you need some extra help, DaySpring made picking a focus word as easy as taking a 7 question quiz!

Take DaySpring’s #LiveYourFaith Quiz to find your 2018 Word of Truth – one word that will help you focus on what God is calling you to accomplish in the year ahead.
What is your focus word for the year? 

I would love to hear about it in the comments below!