Resolutions are brittle. If you resolve to "Never eat sugar again," and then you have a piece of cake at a birthday party, the resolution is "broken," and most people give up entirely. But a Word of the Year is different. A word is a theme. A word is a filter. A word can't be "broken," it can only be practiced. Today, we are choosing the heartbeat of your 2026 design. This word will be the lens through which you see every opportunity and obstacle.
One word is powerful because it is memorable. In the heat of a busy workday, you won’t remember a 10-point manifesto, but you will remember the word "Focus." When an invitation comes in that doesn't fit your plan, you'll remember the word "Space." When you're afraid to take a risk, you'll remember the word "Brave." Your word is the "How" of your year. It describes the spirit in which you will pursue every goal. It’s not about what you do; it’s about how you do it.
In Your Guidebook on Page 15 (or page 14 in the free sample version) use the brainstorming space to list 5 or 10 words that represent the "energy" you need this year. Don't pick the word you think you should want; pick the one that feels like the missing piece of your puzzle. Once you've selected your "Winner," write down three ways that word will change your daily behavior. If your word is "Resilience," how will you act when a project fails? If your word is "Abundance," how will you view your bank account?
BONUS | The 10-Minute Reset: Claim your word publicly. Post it on social media, tell a friend, or comment on this blog post. Use the hashtag #DesignYourYear2026. There is a strange, beautiful power in stating your intention to the world. It moves the word from a private thought to a public commitment.
Share with us: What is your word for 2026? Put it in the comments below! There is something so powerful about saying it out loud to a community.
