Choosing One Word for Your Wellness Goals
Happy New Year!! We are 4 days into 2016, have you set your wellness goals for the year?
Before setting new goals, it’s always nice to look back to see how you’ve changed, what you accomplished and how well you did on reaching last year’s goals.
Sometimes it leaves you feeling flat, other times you feel proud and inspired. Often the results are simply how you worded your goals for the year.
A few years ago, I discovered Jon Gordon‘s (along with Dan Britton & Jimmy Page) concept for choosing One Word for the year’s goals in place of typical New Year’s resolutions. One Word 
The first year I tried this out, I chose LOVE as my theme. That was the year I dedicated to love….of myself, unconditional love of my husband, parenting with unconditional love at all times (especially those times I wanted to run away!) and treating everyone, including strangers, with love.
It included choosing love over fear. Choosing love over anger. Choosing love over self-doubt. Choosing love over negativity.
It wasn’t always easy, but I was constantly aware of my theme & noticed a difference when I wasn’t acting with love.
I didn’t go into the year with set goals, I just knew I wanted to feel lighter. Love is light. Love feels free. My overarching theme made it easier to set goals throughout the year that coinciding with my theme. That year of love resulted in inner peace, gratitude as a natural state, compassion, faith, presence, confidence, joy and an awakening of the critical role of passion and purpose in my wellness.
Which led me to my 2nd year’s One Word goal (that I merged into two): Passion/Purpose.
After I graduated from college and began working in corporate fitness, my mom was pursuing her graduate degree in Spiritual Psychology and my passion for holistic wellness and inspiring people was burning.
I enrolled into graduate school to pursue a doctorate in health psychology. My mom and I decided we were going to hang up a sign and go into business together. Changing the world, one client at a time.
Things didn’t go as planned…as often happens in life.
She finished her degree only a few months before cancer took her life. Her leaving took a part of me, as well.
I changed paths and instead completed masters degrees in physical education and public heath. I worked in a variety of settings including local and state public health departments, private sector, university and rural health.
All of the experiences were perfect for me, at the time. I was surrounded by supportive and positive people in a field that I love, but I was always yearning for something more. I wanted a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment.
I have know for years that I still wanted to hang that sign out. Although it couldn’t be with my mom, I knew I had to do it for my mom.
And for myself.
So, over 15 years later and a critical year dedicated to passion and purpose, I have arrived back where I wanted to begin.
Love Well Live Well, a platform to spread love, positivity, inspiration is up and running. My sign is officially out, as I am now certified as a health and wellness coach. I have collaborated with two amazing local wellness mavens to host a my first retreat in a few weeks, the Wellesley Wellness Retreat, and lots more is in store for 2016!
It is a dream that is finally coming to fruition beginning with creating my One Word goal for 2015.
Now, onto 2016 when love is a not only a way of life, but is the basis for my coaching business. I have a clear path for fostering my passion and feel purpose, meaning and fulfillment.
The problem, like I’ve mentioned before (5 Steps to Achieve Your Dreams), is figuring out a way to do it all, without sacrificing sleep, self-care and a peaceful home.
I love being a mom to my 4 beautiful kids and helping to foster their passions (which take a lot of time!); I love being a coach’s wife and supporting my husband’s passion and career (did I mention he’s only home 4 nights this month?!); I love volunteering and doing meaningful work; I love spending time with authentic friends; I love and know it is a necessity to make time for my self-care, but it is a struggle to figure out how to do it all.
That is why this year’s One Word goal is: Prioritize.
I’m not sure exactly what it will entail, but I know it will include saying no, asking for help, outsourcing, and letting go.
I know that with a clear purpose for the year, it will help me focus my quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily goals to get the results I want.
My past two years of one word goals turned out pretty well, so I’m more than excited for 2016!
How about you?? Do you set One Word goals? What are your dreams and wellness goals for 2016?
Love,
Molly
