My word!

About ten years ago, someone somewhere talked about choosing their special word for the year, a word by which to live to be a better version of yourself. I’d never heard of this before and so adopted the idea. 

I thought long and hard for my word, the one word to rule them all *cough*, the word by which I’d live for the entire year. I’m sure I was gung-ho for the first few days or weeks, but much like a January gym membership, gave it up and thought no more about it. I have no idea what word I chose.

I was reminded of the practice at the end of that year and, not to be daunted (my stubbornness is genetic), once again chose my magical word. The word that would change my life (for the better). 

I’ll bet you a slice of my fruitcake that you can guess what happened. *

And so it went. Every year I’d choose a word, a word that would stand for who I would be or what I would accomplish for the next 365 days. And every year, poof, I’d forget all about it. Even if it was on a sticky-note at eye level above my desk where I sat every single bleeding day!!!!

Then two years ago, I had a brainwave. An entire year governed by ONE word? That was ridiculous. 

Now, I’m a follower of the author and planner extraordinaire, Sarra Cannon, and have implemented a good bit of her HB90 system (extremely helpful for me). As the name suggests, HB90 focuses on setting goals and implementing tactics to achieve those goals within 90 days, i.e. a quarter of the year. So, what if I chose one word per quarter? Only 90 days to live under the rule of the one word that would guide me toward achieving my goals. I thought longer and harder and chose four words.

Pfft!

Clearly, I was doing something wrong. And lest you think I chose silly words like millionaire or bestseller (wanting bestseller status is a laudable & achievable goal for some, but for me it would be silly. I still dream of breaking even on publishing costs), my words were FOCUS and ACCOMPLISH. (Great words for the Queen of Procrastination, eh?) 

Last year (a week ago – ha!), the time arrived to choose a word-of-the-year. I sighed. I harrumphed. I procrastinated. Why bother? It doesn’t work. (Imagine voice of whiny brat.) But genetics being what they are, I refused to be defeated. I was stronger than a measly word. I was determined to—

Ah ha!

Could it be?

Why, yes, Virginia, there is a word that best sums up what I hope to achieve this year while, at the same time, making use of one of my better personality traits. (I am NOT stubborn!)

Ladies and gents, I give you my word-of-the-year:  DETERMINATION

Do you ascribe to a word-of-the-year? Would you like to share?

*Gambling prohibited.

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her characters, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and five hens.

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Door knocker - Photo by Chiara Guercio on Unsplash

Crown - Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Cake - Photo by lindsay Cotter on Unsplash