A Vision Worth Planning For: Navigating 2024 with Purpose

As the New Year will soon be upon us conversations about resolutions, goal lists, mantra selections, and mission statements, one unique approach stands out—the practice of choosing a guiding word for the year. My sister Jackie and I, along with a handful of friends, have found success in the power of a single word to set our intentions. Different ways of embracing focus for a new year resonate with different people. What matters most is discovering the formula that speaks to you.

Since 2014, I've embraced the tradition of selecting a word to set the tone for my year. It aligns a variety of goals under a specific focus. While the experience of keeping the word the focus throughout the year has not always been the reality, success lies in growth, adapting to new ideas, and the willingness to change direction as needed. It is not possible to know what October will look like in January, so saving space for the unknown is important. January is not just the start of a new year but the belief in the possibilities that lie ahead. 

Each year my word has come about differently. Typically, as November approaches I try contemplating next year's word brainstorming and trying on different words until one fits perfectly. One year during a frantic search for my word as December was nearing the end, a Christmas shopping bag bearing the word "believe" grabbed my attention. It was a clear sign, and I knew it was meant for me. 

The book One Word that Will Change Your Life by John Gordon, Jimmy Page, and Dan Britton does a great job explaining the process of choosing a word to frame the year. This insightful book provides not only a formula for selecting a word but also ways to live the word over the year. Last year, the word "enough" found its way to me, prompting reflections on the abundance. A focus on the word enough has taught me the balance between being human, giving my best, and recognizing that, ultimately, what I am doing is better than enough. 

Starting the new year strong is also about reflecting on how the last year went. Reviewing last year's goal list, I realized the drawback of measuring too many things. Meghan Lawson, author of Legacy of Learning, emphasizes that some of the most important pieces in education are tough to measure. The richness lies in moments that cannot be quantified. I thought about Lawson’s wise words as I reflected on a student excitedly sharing a wrestling medal with me, the students who linger a few minutes after class just to talk, the students asking to borrow novels from the classroom over the break, or a former student proudly discussing their first-year college achievements with me at the drive through of a local restaurant. 

Reflecting has reminded me how good things are. Recently, I was listening to Craig Siegel's podcast, The CLS Experience. And the word "conquer" resonated with me, suggesting a call to action, a "go time" energy that instantly captivated me. This word transformed my approach to tasks, leading me to create a conquer list rather than a traditional to-do list. The result? A surge of energy and excitement, a commitment to not just accomplish but complete tasks with pride. While realizing that not everything can be conquered as I am human, I am determined to conquer exactly what I am supposed to. 

Playing small is dangerous, as playing big may not guarantee the accomplishment of every goal. Author and educator Jill Siler's words on The Dave Burgess Show reinforced the importance of thinking big and living out the great vision within each of us, every single day. Siler reinforced my desire to think big and keep focused on an extraordinary vision for 2024. 

As we step into 2024, educator Sean Gaillard urges us to "Activate the Dream," compelling us to do the thing, face the impossible, ignore the naysayers, set the scene, write the book, give the talk, build the bridge, and collaborate with those who understand our journey. This is the year to embrace the word "Conquer," a focus on incredible accomplishments and the pursuit of dreams that remind me how abundant life is.