It Only Takes One Word
The word “health” adopted me for 2014. I used the “One Word” concept and just listened. Health is the word that stuck.
One Word isn’t a resolution. I haven’t made one of them in years.
One Word is a focal point that gives direction and purpose to what I do. It’s not a have-to. It’s a want-to. It’s already surprising me.
What comes in:
Physical health begins with what we put in our mouths. Leadership health begins with what we let into our hearts and minds.
Health is about what I see, hear, and think about.
Health includes the people I let in. Hang with energy givers as much as possible. When you find a friend, treasure and nurture them.
Questions:
When I make decisions or engage in activities I use my word health:
- Is it healthy?
- Does this promote healthy relationships?
- Am I leaving people more healthy than when I found them?
Perhaps you would enjoy the One Word idea?
“One Word,” summarized: “Don’t Make a Resolution; Find a Word.”
“One Word,” applied: “The Secret to Focusing on What Matters.”
The book: “One Word that will Change Your Life.”
How might One Word impact your leadership?
Enjoyed reading this. My one word chose me. I didn’t choose it. Funny how appropriate and affirming it is to have one word inspire everything you do. It’s a movement man are taking on I can’t wait to see how it unfolds for each of us.
Thanks Marvia. Best wishes on the journey.
You nailed it. It seems to me the single concept of “health” cuts through the clutter we collect with concepts like “wants” and even “needs”. When health is the focal point all become healthier. Keep up the great work.
Thanks John. I appreciate the affirmation. When I first thought about health, I thought of it in traditional ways like diet and exercise. Then it started growing. I’m having fun with this concept.
Didn’t we do this the other day?
Oxytocingeneratingmachine is my word.
And here are four more
Raw Foods. David Wolfe
SP
Thanks Scott. Yes, I think we did.
Encouraging health in ourselves and others is a terrific pursuit
Thanks Karin. Happy New Year
After your post on One Word, many others posted the concept on Facebook as well. My word is path. I will use the word to think about my intentions as a leader and ask if my potential actions will lead our team on a path toward our desired outcomes.
There is no one right path, but some will take a little longer than others.
Thanks Teresa. It’s cool to see this idea getting traction. I’ve seen posts on Facebook as well.
It’s fun to see the diversity of words people choose and to see how they work them out.
My word is fiece..to do things that are far above me, that let me be a whole different person and achieve things I wouldn’t dare dream of on a regular day. Thanks for The One Word, gives so much more meaning to 2014. Cheers!!
Thanks Sharon. YOur word made me smile! Thanks again
yes attitude
great!
At the beginning of a new year faced with professional opportunities and challenges my word is “courage.”
Sent from my iPod
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One thing I like how one word brings a unifying effect as well as a guiding influence.
I can see where you might be asking, “Where do I need courage?” Or, “Does this activity call for courage?” If it doesn’t, maybe it isn’t for you. 🙂
Fantastic, all encompassing word, Dan.
Thanks be to God, I’m honored to work with a group of high IQ students at a university here in Pasadena, CA., who just last week discussed lifetime goals. Here’s how they answered:
1) Peace of Mind (freedom from anger, fear and guilt)
2) Health and Energy
3) Loving Relationships
4) Financial Freedom
5) Worthy Goals and Ideals
6) Personal and Professional Fulfillment
7) Love, Faith and Hope
Thanks Rick. I love the simplicity of the seven statements. Simple, yet profound. Glad you shared.
Beautiful.
Thanks.
“Peace” is the word I selected to focus on during 2014. I believe with peaceful mind, we can stay away from negative feelings carrying from the past experience, re-check what are really valuable to us, and re-build positive relationship with our surroundings!
Peace to everybody in new year!
Yan
http://cxianliu.wordpress.com/
I’ve had One Word for the last couple of years, and they do have a habit of choosing me. This year’s word is Sufficient, a reminder that I have everything I need to get to where I want to be. I’m sure more will be revealed as the year progresses, it’s always fun and interesting 🙂
My word for 2014 is Intent. I will look to evaluate the true intent of my thoughts, words and actions. If they are not of positive value to others or me they will not take place.
Thanks for sharing your positive leadership all year long. Best to you in 2014 and your good Health.
Jim
Really like it Dan. What a coininsidence, my New Years resolution for 2014 is “Stewardship”. Like you, once I made this decsion a myriad of ideas and personal goals have been set. I strongly believe the only way to achieve the best for yourself, is to GIVE the best of yourself to others. “I’ll bet if you look out your back door it’s a (Winter-Wonderland)”! Cheers Dan
A wonderful way to start the year Dan!
I love this concept. I recently wrote an article for the handmade market about figuring out what your “one thing” is. Too often in our business, we overstretch and spread ourselves too thin. And when it comes to applying for shows (and I suspect other jobs) it’s almost a death sentence to not be clear on what your specialty actually is. “I do everything” is a good way to not get into a juried event. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need clarity to thrive. And without that, you tend to make unhealthy business decisions. So easy when you’re a one-man show.
I also like to take every January to evaluate the last year and meditate on how to move forward in the new year, chucking things that didn’t work, adding new ideas, keeping successes and finding renewed direction. Not huge changes, but always using changes.
So I love the idea of clarifying everything down to one word for the year. I have not meditated on it yet, but I suspect mine will be “waste.” As in removing it, from time, being and space. I know that’s not a pretty word and it may not feel positive to some, but I feel a need to make every moment and action count this year. And I have physical things to remove from my life (and garage) as well. If I don’t focus on it, and if I don’t clear things out, I won’t have room for some things I really want. Including some memories with my kids before they leave the nest!
Thanks again as always for the wisdom you facilitate in all of us!
Blessed wishes for the New Year!
Thank you, Dan, for spreading the WORD idea. Love to hear of others joining in.
In hindsight, I notice that my one focus word for the past several years—embolden, release, radical, willing, open, pursue—has been a progressive stepping stone along my journey. Surprisingly, each one has served to prepare and lay the foundation to confront the next year’s endeavors. Each word has had that kind of profound invitation, refocusing and energizing influence throughout the year, and beyond.
This year, I have been resisting my new word…thinking that it is too large a leap for me. And it could very well reveal my lacking in this area. Yet, if I were only to accept words within a comfortable reach, or ones that made me look good on the outside, I would be missing out on a greater calling.
I share it now, allowing this word complete access in and through my life. My 2014 Focus Word is….loving.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GatherRoundOneWord/
Wonder why you, or someone chose a stethoscope to be in the picture. Not sure what the relevance of a medical device is in this post?
Listen to your heart
My word for 2014 is “execution”. Actions speak louder than words. Doing the right things, the right way, at the right time is the focus of flawless execution.
Always inspired by your posts Dan. Cheers to good health!
I love the idea of one word resolutions. Health is a great word! Thanks!! Another great word.
Ponder or Pondering
Thank you for posting about the One Word movement. I don’t believe in New Year’s Resolutions; if it’s important enough to do, why wait for an arbitrary date? That said I’m recovering from several huge challenges that I’ve faced in the past few years and decided over Christmas that it’s time to move on….. I read your posts daily, and find so many insightful, but this one has moved me. My word is RENEWAL. And my word found me as well. Thanks for what you do.
Dan,
I love the clarity of your message. It’s to the point, clear and powerful. It immediately started to make my mind kick into high gear of contemplation and thought. I appreciate that and the value you are bringing.
My one word this year, “Growth”
Talk soon,
Karl
Gratitude
Encourage.
A great idea. I choose “vision”, because without a clear picture of what I want to achieve, I’m just a water-treader… and it takes courage and tenacity to clarify vision (for me anyway, because, as a pastor wryly told me thirty or so years ago when I proposed a wonderful idea of some sort, …. “s/he that getteth the vision, getteth the job”!)
That word for me this year is Discipline. I tend to, like many, reach for the next Shiny Object and need more discipline in my daily activities and more focus on my goals.
My word is fitness….not just physically… but spiritual, mental, and emotional fitness. What can I do to boost my spiritual fitness, or what do I need to LET GO OF to boost my spiritual fitness. Often we think of things to DO, but maybe more often it is a surrender of something that will lead to better fitness.
I love the simple questions you ask yourself about decision making. I want to be sober minded enough to STOP and ask the questions BEFORE I find myself in the middle of something that I feel like I Didn’t really decide.
Great Word. My favorit is “balanse”