Every year, millions of Americans will set goals for the coming year, and by February, the vast majority of them have given up. 

One of the things I like to do is focus on one thing for the year. One goal, one thing I want to grow in or learn. While I might hit more than one thing, focusing on one thing not only helps me accomplish what I set out to do but also brings a lot of focus to my life. 

Over the years, I have loved the power of having a word for the year. A word that describes the kind of person I hope to become, the kind of follower of Jesus, husband, father, friend, sibling, and boss. 

One word. One focus. 

How do you come up with that? Here are a few simple steps to do one your own:

1. Ask the question: What kind of person do I want to become in the coming year? Another way to ask this is, If I become more like Jesus in the next year, what would that mean? I would encourage you to make a list. You don’t need to narrow it down yet, and your list can be as long as you want.

You can focus on your most important relationships: parent, spouse, friend, boss, employee, child. 

Your list might have words like generous, patient, joyful, calm, faith, etc. But, again, you aren’t narrowing it down yet; you are brainstorming what God is putting on your heart. 

I think it is good to have this be your own word because it might be different from your spouse or your family. I think it is a good idea for each person to do this on their own and then come together to see what God might be saying to your spouse or family.

2. Pray through what comes to mind. Now is when you want to start editing your list and asking God for help.

Are there words that stand out? Are there words you’d like to avoid? I often find my word is one I’d rather not focus on. 

Maybe as you think through this, you will start to see words around or come up in conversations. If that happens, that’s a way of God speaking to you for your year. 

You can also share your list with your spouse or a friend to ask if they have any insight. God will often use someone else to speak to us. 

3. Find a Scripture connected to your word. I’d encourage you as well to find a verse related to your word, a passage that you want to focus on for the year. It might also be a verse that you plan to memorize. Put this verse in a place where you will see it often. If you need help, you can search here.

4. Share your word. Once you have it, please share it with your spouse, small group, and online.

When we verbalize something, we are more likely to remember it, focus on it, and live it out. You can use it as wallpaper on your phone or a screen saver.

5. Live your word. Look for ways to live out your word. Maybe try to find a book or podcast about your word that you can read and spend intentional time growing in.

I’d also encourage you in your community group to pull your words out each month and share how you are doing, celebrate how you are growing, and encourage each other when you fall behind.