Defining your year: What’s the one word you would choose to help guide you in your business?

By:  Melanie Colusci

I am a pretty goal oriented person. I like having a plan that I know will help me get to the next level or help me accomplish something I wasn’t sure possible. There have been many times when my plans or sets of goals were a complex web of action items and deadlines. At any given point in time I might have five or more goals I am working on. It never dawned on me until recently (with the help of a business coach) how much power there could be in choosing just ONE word for the year.

In 2017 my word for the year was VISIBILITY. By choosing that one word it became my highest most important goal. It was my vision for the year. It helped me with clarity and focus as all of the plans I created and other goals I set were all designed to help achieve that one word.

How do you choose your word? This was a question in the beginning I struggled with. Have you ever seen the posts on some of the different social media sites that look like a word search and usually say something like the first three words you see, etc.…? Sometimes finding your word can be just like this, it comes to you when you are least expecting it. Sometimes finding your word requires you to sit down and write every word that comes to mind. There is no right or wrong way to choose your word. However, the word you choose should resonate with you. This word should help give you laser focus and a deep desire to accomplish it no matter what. If you find you are feeling just so-so about your word sit with it for a couple days. Think about it and go back through the process you originally did when you chose the word in the first place.

My word for 2018 snuck up on me, smacked me over the head and basically said SURPRISE you get me this year. My word is BALANCE. What I found interesting about this word and the fact that it chose me was I now feel like I have been given permission to create more balance in my life. I am now able to have more “me time” and the space to recharge. This word felt like a light in the dark for me. I am not suggesting we will always have that strong of a reaction to our word when it’s chosen, but I wanted to make sure your word is truly one that has an impact on you.

So as I sit writing my plan and the subsequent goals, action items and deadlines for 2018 I do it with balance in mind. It is my vision for the year, the biggest most important goal I will accomplish in 2018. It is the word that will guide me until I sit here this time next year with a new word.

In my recently released book titled “From Start-Up to Success: Navigating the Journey to Becoming (and Staying) a Successful Entrepreneur” there are many other helpful ideas to becoming the best entrepreneur you can be. Make sure you check it out and watch for more to come. You’ll be happy you did!

Here’s to you. All my love,
Melanie