What’s Your Word for 2026? How One Simple Word can Shape Your Year
It’s that time of year again folks. A new year is on the horizon and we’re all talking about the garden of leaves we’re going to start turning over in 2026 to be better, happier, healthier, more successful human beings than we’ve ever been before. T’is the season of resolutions!
Now don’t get me wrong, I am HERE for it…. Anyone who knows me knows that I love a goal, possibly a little too much! But of course, January arrives, it’s dark and cold, life is busy… As motivated as we are in the excitement of a new year, we can’t always rely on our motivation to show up day-in-day-out in Real Life.
I believe that very often we can’t stick to resolutions because they’re either too big, too vague or just not aligned with who we are, what we want and the reality of this life that, let’s face it, doesn’t always go the way we think it will.
So this year, I’m taking a different approach. One word.
Instead of a long list of goals, your “word for the year” is a North Star — one simple theme that helps you make intentional, focused decisions throughout 2026. It’s not a goal in and of itself (therefore no pressure), but a lens through which you filter your choices and decisions, both business and personal.
(Disclaimer – credit for this idea must go to my own amazing coach – you can see her Instagram post about it here).
Myself and my family have got a big year of change coming up – personal, professional and logistical. I needed a word that can gather all of those things up in a big warm hug, and keep me centred, regardless of what chaos comes my way. It’s not necessarily about achievements, more of what you want to feel at the end of next year when you reflect back.
So for 2026, I’ve chosen the word connected. After a few bumpy years post-covid, plus a house move, the addition of our daughter in 2023, and a lot of work stress for both myself and my husband meant that I’ve been in survival mode for a long time, getting through rather than actually enjoying or thriving. As I move forward into whatever this year holds for us, I want to be connected – in my work, to the place that I live, to my friends and family, to the world around me and to myself.
One word sticks. It’s broad, flexible, and guides your decisions in a way that feels intuitive rather than forced. It’s like having a personal GPS for your year, guiding you in the right direction and reminding you to take a different route if you get off-track.
Of course, we’ve all got our own situations, pressures, ideas, dreams and focus for the upcoming year ahead. Your word will be completely different depending on what you want to achieve and how you want to feel. Maybe you have one word for your personal life and one word for your business – it’s entirely up to you!
I’d love to hear what word you choose!