Consistency

My 2023 Word Of The Year

Words really do have the power to change us.

‘Finish’. My word of the year for 2022 guided me in pushing many things over the metaphorical ‘finish line.’ Books. Projects. Goals.

It also gifted me the clarity to let go of things that no longer served me (as in ‘to finish with’). I let go of my identity, social media, business.

And so as I sit in this ‘in-between’ part of the year, I have been trying to decide on my word of the year for 2023.

After all, the word I use will guide me, give me direction, a focus. It will become my anchor.

Not just any word will do. It has to be something that fits with who I am right now, and set my intention for the coming year.

The words I have been mulling over are:

Show-up (yes I know it’s not a single word but decided it could work)
Discipline
Progress
Consistency

These all fit with this next chapter of my life and yet I know only one of them has the power to lead me in the way that my previous words have.

Show-up

This to me means a few things. Show-up in terms of sitting down daily to write. Showing up with my piano practice. Showing up to train no matter how I feel. It means showing up and being present with those around me. As well as showing up for myself.

The good thing about this is that there are no ‘goals’ or targets attached. It’s just a case of showing up and trusting that good comes from this practice.

After all, Woody Allen did say that “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”

But it just doesn’t sit right because I know right now, it’s not enough to just show up. I need to do something.

Hence I’m ruling out ‘Show-up’.

Discipline

Maybe the word I need is discipline? The word reeks of achievement right? To have discipline means I will reach my goals. And yet the word scares the life out of me.

I guess when the words synonymous for discipline include control, strictness, self-restraint, obedience it makes sense why it scares me. This is not a word that motivates me in the slightest. Except to run away that is!

I’m ruling this one out too.

Progress

What about the word progress? The act of moving forward (as toward a goal). Doing a little more each day. The incremental actions that build over time, the gradual improvement, growth (that was another word that I kept playing with).

And yet, the word doesn’t quite fit simply because I need a word that is going to motivate me. A word that reminds me to ‘do’ something.

I think I can cross this one out too.

My intentions and goals for 2023 require consistency. Small behaviours that are repeated again and again and again. It’s not about doing something with intensity every once in a while.

It’s about ‘showing-up’ and actually doing the work on a regular basis. It’s unwavering from my values and beliefs, being a constant in my daily life.

Past experiences have taught me that the more inconsistent I am the longer it takes for me to progress, to grow, to see changes. Which is why this word fits perfectly for me right now.

That being said, I need to remember that consistency is more important than perfection.

Final thoughts

The word that encapsulates my intention for 2023 is ‘Consistency.’ This word will serve as an anchor and a reminder of the actions that I need to take in order to reach my goals. It will guide my behaviours, my attitude, and my daily life.

Consistency will be the one thing that stands between me and my achievements, and I’m ready to embrace it.

Now I ask you…What is the one word that will guide you in 2023?