What is a word of the year?
While there are many ideas that I can credit my growth to, there has yet to be one as powerful, simple, and transformative as a “word of the year.”
I learned this idea from one of my mentors, Whitney Johnson, a director for a program where I’d mentored other students at the University of Houston. During an annual planning exercise, she had me pick my first word in 2019 for the upcoming year.
That year, I’d felt absent. My grandmother was ill, my mother was undergoing chemo, and my academics weren’t going well. So naturally, I blurted out “Present” as my word. What happened next, we all know… In 2020, the theme of being present kept me afloat when I needed it the most when the entire world underwent a major collective stress of a pandemic. Being present meant being present for my mother until her last breath, refocusing on my academics, and putting in continued effort. It was transformative.
In 2022, “Intention” helped me land an internship in one of the world’s largest software technology companies, earn a congressional certificate of recognition for energy education advocacy, build my personal brand, and create this blog.
I’m now in my fifth year of doing this exercise… Why? Because IT WORKS.
While reflecting on the prior year, I journaled that in 2023, I needed “to connect with my mind, body, spirit, work.” so I made 2023 the year of “Connection.”
2023: Lessons on Connection
Beginning Within:
When selecting my new word, I first reflected on the previous year. I saw what I lacked the most and where I needed to make room for improvement. In 2022, I’d just graduated and entered a fully remote role. My peers, too, had begun their careers or moved away. I’d spent most of my time at home – lacking connection. I had very little of the true, genuine connection you can only experience when you are at arm’s length of someone.
Engaging with Curiosity:
Suddenly, I noticed “connection” popping up everywhere, where I’d never expected. On the covers of books I’d normally pay no attention to, in work meetings, on social media, and in everyday conversation. (Hey Google, what’s the Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon?)
I read books that helped me learn more about my word. A favorite was “Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides” where Stanford professor of social psychology Geoffrey L. Cohen, discusses the power of “situation-crafting” and how it can highlight our underlying human connections.
I took up daily meditation and journaling. I experimented with different times and methods of doing so and landed on a routine I now use daily.
I attended events that changed my life, all to connect with my interests and like-minded people. Climate Week NYC, for example – where I attended over 14 panels and conferences and connected with many professionals in my field of interest.
At each step of decision-making… When I was presented with two options – I decided based on which afforded me most connection with others, or myself.
And when the right time came, taking a huge leap of faith.
When my brother called and told me that my 96-year-old grandfather was coming to visit him in the Republic of Georgia from Iran, I knew I had to go, too. This was the first time I had a chance to see him in over 16 years. (I could not visit Iran as it is a risk to my life)
This decision wasn’t as easy as it appears now – my company was undergoing organizational restructuring, I couldn’t just pause my life here, it was all so last minute, and very expensive. But I knew what I had to do. It was the best opportunity for me to connect, with myself, my family, and my roots. Then, a teary-eyed moment, four generations of Rahimi all gathered in our ancestral homeland – Georgia… that was a once in a lifetime moment.
On my way to Georgia, I traveled to 8 other countries in Europe, visiting my coworkers in Copenhagen and Barcelona – finally connecting with them beyond the Zoom call chit-chats and coffee hours. (Consider that to be the cherry on top)
Choosing your word of the year:
The word of the year is a guiding pinnacle, a northern star, for your actions in the upcoming year. It is neither a goal nor a resolution. In the best sense of the word, it is vague – it can be applied anywhere. The best part? It’s never too late or early to start.
While some in the top percentile have great success with resolutions, a significant majority forget about them far too soon. Just look at how many “Days” are devoted to forgetting resolutions in January and February… (Think: “Jan 17: National Ditch Your Resolutions Day”, “Feb 14: Quitters Day”, and if you’re still hanging on, there’s “Feb 28: Discouragement Day”)
Conversely, it is not a replacement for specific and measurable goals. While those are inarguably more important, they require greater commitment and planning. For some, a word of the year encapsulates their goals in a digestible way – acting as a simple and clear reminder to help you stay on course.
Take a moment to think and jot down where you want to be and what you wish you could improve upon in the next year. The word will jump at you as you write or think to yourself – and done! At each step of the way, consider how your actions can guide you closer to achieving your word, and by extension, your goals!
