Happy New Year and hope it is a great one!
One little New Year ritual I have been doing for years is choosing ONE word as a theme for the year. Most New Year’s resolutions fade fast — but one clear word is simple enough to remember and strong enough to guide you.
Take some time to think of ONE thing you would like to do more often this year so you become a better version of yourself. This is not about setting a goal. It is about giving your soul what it needs.
One word gives you meaning and mission, passion and purpose. One word helps you focus on what matters most.
Some questions to get you thinking. Do not spend a lot of time on this. Go with what comes into your mind straight away.
What do I need to do more of, be more of, have, enjoy, become…?
What do I need to say No to more often?
How do I want to feel at the end of the day?
What little action would make the biggest difference to my life?
Just sit in silence or go for a walk in nature and reflect on what you really need to focus on in 2026. Let your intuition guide you. Take a pen and paper. Create a list of what comes into your mind. No editing. Just write down what comes in. Don’t spend longer than 5 minutes on this.
If you want some help, here are some suggestions below.
Energy & Wellbeing
Radiance Calm Vitality
Nourish Rest Balance
Ease Healthy Sleep
.
Mindset & Performance
Focus Courage Trust
Confidence Flow Consistency
Composure Discipline Resilience
.
Life & Leadership
Prioritise Simplify Boundaries
Organise Presence Purpose
Clarity Freedom Momentum
.
Connection & Character
Gratitude Kindness Integrity
Love Grace Service
Respect Humility Compassion
Now pick what feels right for you. Don’t analyse this.
Does your word make you feel excited? Is it perfect for you? If that is not an immediate YES, then it is not your word. Sometimes your word might make you feel uncomfortable. That’s ok. Change is scary at first!
Choose one word and make 2026 a winner.
Sit with this word as long as you need and you will know if it is the right word for you.
My word for 2026 is RADIANCE.
Radiance, to me, is not about being “on” all the time or pushing harder. It’s about living with an inner light — the kind that comes from being connected, energised, and organised.
So I’ll be asking myself often: What would radiance look like today?
And then I’ll act accordingly — even in a small way.
What is your word? Are you totally committed to that word? If not, it is not your word and you will find excuses. If you are, you will do whatever it takes to bring more of that into your life.
Doing this exercise with your family and your coaching team is a lot of fun and very meaningful. Just imagine if everyone in your family and team knew their word and they lived it each day to make themselves and their team better.
Make it even more powerful and create a little poster or post-it note where you see it daily. Put it somewhere you can’t miss. Let it become your reminder.
Choose your winning word — and let it guide you all year.
Wishing you an Extraordinary year.
Love Ann
