Word for the Year
- Andy Robinson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
ONE WORD. ONE YEAR. ONE DIRECTION.
As we look ahead this year, there’s a powerful discipline I encourage leaders to consider:
Choose a WORD (or PHRASE) for the year.
Not a resolution.
Not a laundry list of goals.
A single, clarifying lens through which everything else runs.
When chosen well, a Word for the Year becomes:
A filter for decisions
A compass for priorities
A governor for behavior
An anchor in moments of stress or distraction
WHY A WORD WORKS
A great Word for the Year:
SHARPENS FOCUS — It cuts through noise and complexity
DRIVES BEHAVIOR — You can ask daily: “Did I live the word today?”
ALIGNS GOALS — Every objective either supports the word… or it doesn’t
ELEVATES THINKING — It invites you to operate at a higher level, consistently
EXAMPLES (NOT PRESCRIPTIONS)
Your word might be:
DISCIPLINED — in health, thinking, execution
COURAGE — in conversations you’ve been avoiding
SIMPLIFY — in strategy, calendar, communication
EXPAND — your thinking, influence, or impact
INTENTIONAL — about how you lead, listen, and decide
Or a phrase:
“PLAY THE LONG GAME”
“LESS, BUT BETTER”
“LEAD FROM CENTER”
THE REAL POWER
The magic isn’t the word itself.
The magic is when you:
WRITE IT DOWN
REVISIT IT WEEKLY
ALIGN YOUR GOALS UNDER IT
USE IT AS A CHECK-IN QUESTION: "Is this decision consistent with my word for 2026?"
CALL TO ACTION
Before you finalize your goals for 2026:
STEP BACK
GET QUIET
ASK THE HARD QUESTION
What is the ONE WORD or PHRASE that, if lived fully, would make 2026 a breakthrough year?
Choose it deliberately.
Commit to it publicly or privately.
Then let your goals, habits, and behaviors fall in line.
ONE WORD. ONE YEAR. CHANGED TRAJECTORY.
Andy Robinson, Executive Coach
239-285-5575
"Helping CEO's and executives maximize their influence and impact."
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