Choosing Your Word for 2025: A Catalyst for Personal and Professional Growth
By Coco Sellman
What word, insight, or idea will be the wind beneath your wings in 2025? Selecting a "Word of the Year" is more than a ritual; it's a profound practice that aligns your deepest values and aspirations with your everyday actions. It's about crafting a guiding beacon that not only illuminates your path but also drives the momentum behind your personal and professional endeavors.
As an entrepreneur and advisor, I’ve found incredible value in this practice, which helps clarify and motivate through times of transition and growth. Whether you are refining your business strategy or seeking deeper personal fulfillment, the right word can frame your mindset and prepare you for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Why Choose a Word of the Year?
Choosing a word of the year sets a theme that encompasses all your actions and decisions for the next twelve months. This word becomes a lens through which you view your decisions, ensuring that each step you take is infused with intention and purpose.
In 2024, my word was "cultivate." This word helped me navigate significant life and business transitions—such as preparing to sell my business, writing a book, moving to New York City, and launching new projects. These experiences underscored the power of having a focal point that aligns with my evolving circumstances and goals.
How to Choose Your Word
Reflect on Growth Areas: Consider what parts of your life or business you wish to develop. This might involve expanding certain areas or deepening others, and your word should reflect these priorities.
Identify Desired Characteristics: Think about the traits or qualities that will support your growth and enhance your leadership. Choosing characteristics that bolster your personal and professional identity will make your word a true pillar of daily living.
Anticipate Challenges: Look ahead at potential hurdles and think about how a singular focus can guide you through them. Words like 'resolute' or 'adaptable' might resonate if you foresee a year of change or challenge.
Seek Joy and Fulfillment: What makes you feel fulfilled and happy? Identifying these elements can help ensure your word encourages engagements that enhance your well-being and satisfaction.
Embrace New Opportunities: Consider what word or phrase will encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace growth. This should be something that pushes you towards new experiences and broadens your horizons.
Living Your Word
Integrate your chosen word into every aspect of your life. Let it influence your business decisions, shape your personal interactions, and guide your strategic thinking. It’s about embodying the qualities that your word espouses, making it a foundational part of your daily existence.
This practice is especially powerful for us as leaders because it centers our actions on clarity and purpose. It’s a call to lead not just with actions but with our whole being—being present, being intentional, and being impactful.
My Invitation to You
I invite you to join me in this enriching yearly practice. Select a word that resonates with your aspirations and let it guide you through the complexities of entrepreneurship. Share this word with your team and integrate it into your company’s culture as a source of inspiration and direction.
Choosing your word is just the beginning. Living it out loud every day is where true transformation occurs. It’s where your leadership evolves, your business thrives, and your impact grows.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to learning about the words you choose and the remarkable ways they will guide you in 2025. Together, let’s make this year a time of purposeful growth and significant achievements. Remember, the right word can sometimes be all you need to confidently step out of your comfort zone and into your greatest potential. Let’s make it happen!
Here’s to a transformative 2025 filled with success, fulfillment, and joy, all steered by the word that speaks to your heart and your ambitions.
To learn more and experience a guided experience to help you choose your Word of the Year, watch or listen to this episode of the Force for Good Business Show – The Unplugged Series:
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About the Author:
Coco Sellman believes business is a force for good, especially with visionary women at the helm. With over 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, she has launched five companies and guided over 500 startups. As Founder & CEO of A Force for Good, Coco supports purpose-driven women founders in unlocking exponential growth and prosperity. Her recent venture, Allumé Home Care, reached eight-figure revenues and seven-figure profits in just four years before a successful exit in 2024. A venture investor and advisor, Coco’s book, A Force for Good, reveals a roadmap for women to lead high-impact, high-growth companies. She is the host of #WisdomOfWomen Show and the Force for Good Business Show. Coco partnered with ChatGPT and Perplexity to write this article.