I’ve had several words over the years that were cornerstones in my professional nursing career. Certainly caring and competence were significant words for me as a new clinician. I remember when I was first promoted to a nurse manager position, communication was the foundational word I leaned on to develop my staff. Teamwork and leadership were words at other major focal points. There were other words over those 43 years and differing roles. I ended my employed nursing life with “relationship” as my word, it flowed across all aspects of my life.
My niece, Cassie, gave me a lovely necklace for Christmas with the title of this blog engraved on it, *These Three Remain*. On the reverse side she added *2018 Love*. On the card accompanying the gift she wrote she would be looking forward to the 2019 *Word*. In the section “About Me” on this blog I share how Love was my word last year and the significance it played in my cancer journey.
Several years ago, I became familiar with the leadership and motivational coaching of Jon Gordon. (You can find out about Jon at www.jongordon.com.) Every December for the past eight years Jon would use at least one of his weekly e-newsletters to encourage his followers to select one word instead of resolutions, as he himself practiced. Here’s what he wrote last month:
“9 out of 10 people will fail with their resolutions.
50% of resolution makers will fail by the end of January.
But one word sticks!
That's why 8 years I ago I stopped making New Year's resolutions and started picking one word for the upcoming year. No resolutions, no goals... just one word that gives meaning, mission, passion and purpose. One word that will help me be my best.” (J. Gordon, 12/10/2018)
Jon with others have written books and developed a website about One Word (www.getoneword.com).They don’t help you select your word for the year but they provide other helpful tools and resources.
I hadn’t actually given much thought to my 2019 Word until I received Cassie’s card. I liked Love and was willing to stick with it but decided to go back to the site which helped me select last year’s word. This year my word is Courage! I’m not sure why that wasn’t the word for last year as it might have seemed a logical fit while starring down cancer, but I didn’t need courage last year. I needed love, to receive love, give love, and understand Love more. I’m excited to discover what I will need courage for! (I think.)
What is one word that will give you meaning, mission, passion, and purpose? What word will help you be your best?
