Word of the Year: Intention

Word of the Year as a Goal

How did the Word of the Year trend start? Turns out this is credited to English professor Allan Metcalf in 1990, then Executive Secretary of the American Dialect Society, eager to capture the spirit of the year with language, inspired by Time magazine's Person of the Year. Merriam-Webster began its lists in 2003 and the College English Dictionary in 2013. 

Over time, it evolved into a self-improvement goal concept. The Bright Balloon shares an extensive article about the concept. #oneword became a trend beginning in the 2010s.

The Power of One Word
It's not a bad idea. Goals are hard to come up with let alone to stick with. Quitter's Day is now a recognized thing - 2nd Friday of January. For the concept of New Year's Resolutions beginning 4,000 years ago, Strava conducted research in 2019 leading them to predict the 2nd Friday of January as when goal motivation begins to seriously drop. More recent research indicates about 2/3 abandon resolutions in the first month. 

Maybe a single word is easier to sustain than one or more goals! 

• One word can be a broad reference covering multiple aspects of your life. (for the skeptics in the house, admittedly something generic like a horoscope)
• Goals are more structured typically - think SMART goals which have Specificity and Time involved.
• Less pressure to achieve specific items which may lead to guilt and a sense of failure. 

Intention
I'll admit, I do struggle with the rigidity of goals, numbers, and specificity. I resonate more with the flexibility of an overarching word covering many aspects for my year.

Intention feels right for me this year.

• I'm beginning my 4th year in business as a solopreneur. I've explored a variety of paths, keeping myself open to clients and jobs that suit me, and sort of going where the wind blew me—my version of "vibe marketing." 
• It's time to be a bit more directed in my business, making a point to be where my ideal clients are, whether that's online or in person. 
• It's easy to be too flexible in a work-from-home solopreneur's schedule, especially when I have a family to tend to. Intention will help me prioritize client work and set specific daily minimum plans while allowing plenty of flexibility. 
• I do aim to set a few business goals - no more than 2-3 - in short time spans that are achievable (monthly/quarterly), where I can see the reference point and can keep moving the goal posts forward. 

Your Word of the Year
If you do Word of the Year, what's your word? I'd love to cheer for you to stick with it!

While Intention may not be your word this year, as a small nonprofit, solopreneur, or nonfiction author, do you approach your business with Intention? How do you hold yourself accountable and stay on track? Let's Chat or find me on LinkedIn!

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