It’s the time of year that many people make specific New Year’s Resolutions for their personal lives or their small business. I made them in the past but now I really don’t think they are effective.
An article by Tara Parker- Pope in the Washington Post suggested an alternative approach. She says to pick a nudge word!
Instead of picking specific actions or goals, she believes that picking a single word will help you “reflect on your values, intentions and hopes for the new year.”
“It reflects how you want to live in 2023. It’s a word that will “nudge” you toward your positive change when you think of it.”
Tara gives these examples:
Words of reflection: awareness, awe, breathe, pause, reset, gratitude, resilience, optimism, focus
Words of change: reset, renew, nourish, energize, growth, recharge, evolve, bloom, adventure, travel
Words of connection: relate, reconnect, experience, balance, engage, cherish, comfort, listen
Here is how Tara suggests you decide on your nudge word:
- Write down the things that made you happy this year. What felt good? What do you get excited about? What would it take to feel this way all the time?
- Next, think about what parts of your life could be better. What causes you stress? Are you thriving at work or feeling bored? Do you wake up excited about your day? What’s happening in your relationships?
- Finally, check in with your body. How is your physical health? How is your mental well-being? How do you feel when you look in the mirror?
I decided that my nudge word for 2023 is “awe”. I wanted to be able to stop and appreciate all the wonderful things around me everyday instead of rushing around to complete my daily goals or get stuck in a anxiety loop about not meeting them or focusing on other short comings.
What is your nudge word for the year?
