Welcome to the end of January - a time for big goals to become meaty challenges and progress to become a daily reality. So it’s nearly one month down and the gym is slowly emptying out and Cadbury’s sales are going up and you think to yourself - what’s happened?

New Year’s Resolutions are notoriously short lived. Why is that?

The team at You & Co were fortunate enough to happen across Dr Jason Fox late in 2015 and his master theory on creating a ‘Word of the Year’. This stroke of genius is the difference between setting goals and setting intentions.

As Dr Fox puts it:

“Rather than manufacturing a forced delusion of certainty and clarity, choosing one word for your year was a way in which you could cast ahead a fuzzy beacon — something to guide and rally you through a series of projects that matter. My hope was that people might think differently about how they project themselves into the year ahead.”

So without further ado… I introduce You & Co’s 2016 Words of the Year: 

Jonno @jonnoweiss 

Emerge

ɪˈməːdʒ/

verb

1. move out of or away from something and become visible.
2. become apparent or prominent

I thought about what was going to be significant about this year, both personally and professionally.  In my personal life, amongst a few smaller things, I’m moving out of home and we are selling our family home as well, which we’ve lived in for almost 20 years. Professionally, I feel like I’m turning a corner. Last year I learned a whole range of new things, whereas this year I’m looking to really take my skills to that next level. Particularly towards the strategic side and proving more to myself than anyone that I can eventually become a leader in this space.

And for me, emerge fits perfectly, because the definition is a) to become visible or prominent, and b) breaking out of an egg/cocoon (i.e. home). Time to spread those wings.

Harrie @harrietruscott

Move:

muːv/

verb

1. go in a specified direction or manner; change position.
2. make progress; develop in a particular manner or direction.
3. influence or prompt (someone) to do something.

Mostly - “Move” felt both calm and energetic. Fluid and intense. As a “middle brainer” I need both sides of that to sit well with me, which makes choosing just one word a near impossible task. Move has resonated well with my desire to remember to move my body for my health, move my perspective to a lighter place, move my challenges to successes - both in my  business and personally. “Move” is such a good word that I am worried about ever finding one as good for next year!

Amy (too cool for twitter - we’ll suck her in eventually)

Curiosity:

kjʊərɪˈɒsɪti/

noun

1. a strong desire to know or learn something.

I chose “Curiosity,” because I spent 2015 trying to be perfect at what I already know or what I already do.  If something challenged me and I found it hard I would find another familiar way around it.  I’d still do it but I would manipulate it so that I couldn’t fail.

I really want to better myself this year and by being curious I want to read more and take notice. I’ll look into things that make me feel uncomfortable and I’ll strive to do things in a new way - trying to be perfect at what you know becomes exhausting. Plus you don’t move forward.

Being curious takes me into the unknown and as a person that likes structure and routine it will feel very foreign. The aim being that 2016 will help me become a more spontaneous, open and relaxed family leader, friend and colleague.

Andy @andy2me

Lighthouse:

ˈlʌɪthaʊs/

noun

1. a tower or other structure containing a beacon light to warn or guide ships at sea.

I chose a few words this year - it was a tough one to cement all of the dreams I wanted to anchor with just one word. The focus was to learn from issues, challenges and pitfalls. To draw strength from being alive and simply well. Invest in myself and project a helping and caring attitude to everyone who surrounds me. Knowing that I can do anything when I give myself the time and focus.

The word “Lighthouse” just made sense when I thought of all the challenges it helps others through as a beacon. It’s often working hard in unfavourable conditions, committed to providing a favourable outcome. It knows what it’s limitations are and what its job is - especially when the ocean is dangerous and ominous. A lighthouse is reliable, strong, focused and consistent.

Bernadette @bernadettemung

Bridge:

brɪdʒ

verb

1. be or make a bridge over (something).
2. make (a difference between two groups) smaller or less significant.

After ample deliberation, I’ve settled on “bridge” as my word of the year. You can imagine the metaphorical connotations of a bridge, connecting two divided places together. However, I more often mean bridge in the sense of connecting two people together. The focus is on creating and nurturing the meaningful connections in life, rather than being distracted by the superficial. I also think of bridging the gap between the who/where/what I am now, and the who/where/what I want to be. 2016 won’t be so much about miracles, more about taking the small steps, everyday.

So after a little deliberation, we came to our intentions. We felt good about them too.

How are you feeling about your New Year’s resolutions? Have you collected your thoughts towards a Word of the Year? We’d love to hear all about your word in the comments below!

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