How to Choose Your Word of the Year (and Transform Your Goals)
There’s something magical about the space between Christmas and the New Year. You know the one—that blurry, liminal week where time feels like a flat circle, your calendar is both full and empty, and you're not entirely sure if it’s Wednesday or Saturday.
And yet, it’s also the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and imagine.
If you’re someone who sets goals (or wants to start), choosing a Word of the Year might be the simplest, most powerful shift you can make for a more intentional, joy-filled 2024.
Let’s talk about how to find yours—and why it matters.
What Is a Word of the Year?
A Word of the Year is exactly what it sounds like: one single word that becomes your guidepost for the year ahead. It can reflect your values, intentions, desires, or simply how you want to feel in the coming months.
Think of it like a compass. It doesn’t dictate every decision, but it gives direction.
For example, maybe your word is:
Courage – because you're ready to take bold action
Peace – because you're tired of burnout
Grow – because this is the year you finally step out of your comfort zone
The word you choose becomes a filter for what to say yes to, what to walk away from, and what to create space for.
Why One Word Can Be More Powerful Than a Resolution
Traditional resolutions tend to be all-or-nothing. They’re rigid. And let’s be honest—they often fizzle out by February.
But a Word of the Year isn’t about perfection. It’s about direction.
Here’s why it works:
It keeps things simple. No 10-point plans. Just one focus.
It makes room for realignment. If you drift off course, you can return to your word.
It activates creativity. Instead of obsessing over “how” to achieve a goal, you start imagining new possibilities.
And let’s not overlook this: a word can unlock joy. In the same way a child lights up while pretending to be a superhero or pirate, you might find yourself re-engaging with life in a more playful, hopeful, imaginative way.
How to Choose Your Word of the Year
If you’ve never done this before—or even if you have—there are countless ways to choose a word that resonates with you.
Here are some of the most fun (and surprisingly insightful) methods:
1. Take an Online Quiz
A quick Google search for “Word of the Year quiz” will yield dozens of options. These lighthearted assessments can spark ideas you might not consider on your own.
2. Scroll Your Search History
What have you been searching for lately? Are there patterns or themes? If you’ve been looking up decluttering tips, maybe your word is simplify. If your tabs are filled with business ideas, maybe it’s launch or brave.
3. Reflect on Last Year
What worked? What didn’t? Do you want more of something—or less of something? Let your past experience guide your future intention.
4. Free-Write or Journal
Set a timer for 10 minutes and journal on these prompts:
What do I want more of in 2024?
How do I want to feel each day?
What would I pursue if I knew I couldn’t fail?
Look for recurring words or themes.
5. Let Your Imagination Play
Think back to when you were a kid. What made you light up? What made you lose track of time? Your word doesn’t have to be logical—it just has to mean something to you.
Why “Imagine” Was the Word of the Year That Changed Everything
One example of this in action? Choosing the word Imagine for 2024.
Imagine is playful. It's expansive. It's a word that invites dreaming beyond the limitations of logic or current circumstances.
And it’s especially powerful when paired with a goal-setting process.
Because before you can do something new, you have to see it first. You have to let your brain run wild with possibility. The financial breakthrough, the debt-free vacation, the career pivot, the peaceful home life—all of it starts with imagining what could be.
What If Goal Setting Has Scared You in the Past?
You’re not alone.
Sometimes, the goals we set are so big, they end up paralyzing us. We see the mountaintop and immediately feel the weight of every steep step to get there.
Here’s what to do instead:
Step 1: Anchor your goals to your Word of the Year
Instead of writing, “I want to pay off $20,000 of debt,” try, “I want to imagine what life feels like with financial freedom—and take small steps toward that every month.”
Let your word reframe the pressure into possibility.
Step 2: Break it down
Dreaming doesn’t have to mean drifting. Once you imagine what’s possible, break your goals into 6-month, 6-week, and weekly targets. That’s where momentum is built.
Step 3: Don’t go it alone
Everyone needs someone who’s brave in the places we feel afraid. Whether that’s a coach, a friend, or a supportive community, surround yourself with people who believe in your dragon-slaying power—even when you don’t.
Imagination Is a Budgeting Tool (Wait…What?)
It might sound strange, but imagination is a secret weapon in money management.
Here’s why: most people associate budgeting with restriction. But what if you reframed it?
What if your budget was a tool to design the life you’re imagining?
Imagine:
Spending more time at museums, hikes, and theme parks with your kids
Having fun for free—like feeding ducks at the park or making up stories at bedtime
Building margin to say yes to opportunities that align with your values
When you use imagination to guide your financial decisions, budgeting becomes empowering, not limiting.
Want More Joy in the New Year? Make Room for Play
In a world that’s constantly pushing productivity and performance, rediscovering the joy of make-believe might be exactly what you need.
And no—you don’t have to be an actor or a screenwriter to make this work.
Just try:
Playing a silly game with your kids (or borrowing one from Bluey if you’re stuck)
Imagining what your week would look like if you weren’t stressed
Saying yes to an adventure, even if it’s not “practical”
Remember: you’re allowed to do things just because they bring you joy.
In fact, the more joy you let into your life, the more likely you are to stick with your goals. Because it stops being about hustle and becomes about purpose.
What Dragon Are You Slaying?
Every year brings challenges. But naming your personal “dragon” can help you face it head-on.
Maybe it’s:
Getting out of debt
Setting boundaries around work
Breaking through a plateau in your business
Rebuilding confidence after a hard season
Whatever it is, give it a name. Picture yourself conquering it. Rally support. Get creative with your strategy.
Because the truth is: you were made for this.
You can slay dragons. You just need a clear vision, the right tools, and a spark of imagination to start moving.
Final Thoughts: Let This Be the Year You Imagine More
Goal setting doesn't have to be boring. It doesn't have to be rigid. And it definitely doesn’t have to feel like a punishment.
This year, try starting with one simple, powerful question:
What can you imagine?
Let your answer guide your word. Let your word guide your goals. And let your goals be infused with creativity, play, and purpose.
No matter what the calendar says, it’s never too late—or too early—to start imagining a better version of your life.
So take a breath. Grab a journal. Close your eyes.
And just imagine.
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