Last year, instead of setting goals or resolutions for 2010, I selected a word of the year. This proved to be an extremely powerful tool for me. I wrote a post all about my 2010 word (ease) and was honored to have my post featured on the amazing Christine Kane's blog a couple of weeks ago. I hope you'll click over and check it out. (And she's been sharing word-of-the-year guest posts every day for a few weeks, so lots of great inspiration over there.)
As a new year draws near, I want to invite everyone to choose a word for 2011. (For those of you going through the process in The Love Your Life Creation Kit, I suggest choosing one of your "yes" feeling states as your word of the year.) Once you've selected your word, you can use Christine Kane's discovery tool for delving more deeply into the meaning of your word.
I encourage you to explore your word in as many ways as possible. I've found that engaging my right brain in the exploration process helps me intimately connect with what I'm hoping to move toward and opens me up to embodying my word in all sorts of interesting ways. I've put together some questions for exploration that were helpful to me personally and might help you as well. You can grab the questions in the form of a worksheet, and I'm also listing them below with my own answers for my 2011 word, which is flow.
Explore Your Word:
How does your word sound? like waves, like rain, like a whisper, like a babbling brook
How does your word taste? like honeydew, like garden tomatoes, like fresh herbs, like summer berries
How does your word feel? cool, soft, smooth - like a seashell.
How does your word smell? like cucumbers and fresh mint
How does your word move? like liquid, like a stingray, like chiffon scarves in a gentle breeze
If your word was a color, what would it be? teal
If your word was a fabric, what would it be? silk
If your word was a place, what would it be? the beach at dusk
If your word was an animal, what would it be? a dolphin
Brainstorm any other words, phrases, images, etc. that come to mind when you think of your word. hot tea, calm, open, sand, linen, white, free, alive, fresh, pure, spring, soar, blue, green, serene, receptive, moon, starfish, palms open, meditation, breathe, lavender, clean, sensual, sky, rest, peace, energy, wings, love, connection, juniper, sincere, authentic, creative, poetry, piano, shower, allow, honest
I would love to hear all about your word in the comments! And if you think of any additional questions that might help us explore our words, please share those as well.
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This is a GREAT idea. As you know, I used Christine Kane’s tool to come up with a word (awe) for 2011, and I am creating a vision board around it. But I like the exercise you did here and I am going to do the same! Thank you!
KCLAnderson (Karen)´s last [type] ..What If We Took Control Out Of The Equation
Yeah! I would love to hear more as you explore! Hmmm.… what color is “awe”?
And I’m doing my “flow” vision board this week! Fun stuff!
Thanks so much for what you share, Joy
The kit is not something I am able to get, but I am going to keep coming back (and going back) to look at your posts for all the helpful journaling types of things you post. I haven’t really thought of “resolutions” per say. I like the idea of a word and then the changes I actually want to make seem to fall under that word w/out pressure. And I really do mean “no pressure” b/c the changes I have made in my life that have lead to a healthier mind & body really have just been natural… Just by starting to love myself w/the way I am: acceptance. I guess that must have been my word last year 
Hey baby. I’m so glad you are seeing the power of self-love. It’s really at the heart of everything good in this world and has been key to every positive shift I’ve made in my life.
By the way, have you ever read Karen’s blog? (She commented right before you. Click on her name in her comment to go to her blog.) I think you would really enjoy her stuff. Check out her awesome guest post on Mizfit’s blog yesterday. It tells her whole story of weight loss through self-love: http://mizfitonline.com/2010/12/28/first-comes-love/
I chose “slow.”
This is a great exercise, Joy. Thanks for giving me a way to explore something new.
taylorgirl6´s last [type] ..The Completed Gingerbread Farm
Great word. Keep me posted on how it unfolds for you!
Fabulous!!! I already have my word for 2011 — unapologetic. Now I am off to do this exercise with it : )
Jessica´s last [type] ..resolutions
OOOH! Nice choice! I’d love to hear how the exercise goes for you!
I think my word will be fearless, since fear has been present with me all my life. I like the way I feel when I think of fearless. I will keep that feeling present as much as possible.
WOO HOO! Love it, Jean! Watch out, world! I can’t wait to see what 2011 holds for you!
I love this. At first I felt like I couldn’t pick a word — there are so many things I want to explore this year. And just as I was about to email you and ask for help, it came to me.
My word this year is OPEN. I can’t wait to explore it!
I am VERY drawn to this word. Almost picked it for my own!
okay, I’ll bite. what’s an RSS feed?
It’s a way to get blog updates in a reader, rather than email. I think most people probably use the Google version (http://www.google.com/reader) though there are others. It puts all the blogs you choose in one easy to access place, and it shows whenever there is a new post. It’s pretty handy if you read more than a few blogs.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Joy Tanksley, Joy Tanksley. Joy Tanksley said: Exploring Your Word — Last year, instead of setting goals or resolutions for 2010, I selected a word of the year. Th… http://ow.ly/1aE9Pl […]
For my 2011 word-of-the-year, I chose ‘presence’ [alternative spelling: ‘presents’
] Thank you for the worksheet, Joy. It’s the first thing I’ve looked at this morning, which has set me up nicely for a day of inspired creativity. Bless you, kind lady. Happy New Year’s Eve!!!
Megan´s last [type] ..Has it happened to you
That’s a wonderful, powerful word, Megan. It’s going to serve you very well! I’d love to hear more after you finish the exercise…
[…] Joy chose flow […]
Happy New Year Joy! I came up with my word for the year and it’s CREATE! There are so many ways to create and not just about art; although that is part of it. But create more space in my environment, create a healthy body and life, create time for fun and spending it with friends and family, and the list can go on. I like this idea so much more than resolutions. I gave those up several years ago because if I didn’t reach the goal (which was usually weight loss) then I felt I’d failed (yet again). I don’t like that roller coaster ride thank you very much. I’m looking forward to seeing how this plays out in my life this year.
Happy New Year, sweet Rita! I love your word. You are so right that our entire lives are acts of creativity. I, too, am looking forward to watching this play out for you! XXOO!
Hi Joy!
I love the idea of picking a word for the year. After much contemplation I have decided on the word EASE for me for 2011. I am looking for less struggle and more natural flow to my life. I did the “explore your word” exercise this morning and found it exhilerating! 
Here are some of “words, phrases or other images that come to my mind when I think of my word”.…
I’ve recently discovered your blog and am so happy that I have!
calm, earthy, strong, free, gentle, confident, natural, smooth, crisp, humble, laid back, relax, authentic, happy, clear, simple, peace, flow, laughter, bliss, fun, ahhhh
LOVE it!
Thanks a bunch!
Wendy
Hey Wendy! Thank you so much for reading and commenting! It’s great to have you here! Ease is a word that’s very near and dear to my heart (my 2010 word) — you’ve picked a good one. Watch out — it’ll change your whole world if you let it! (And I love your brainstorm list. So, so delicious!)
[…] – New Year’s Day, 1/1/11 – I used the Explore Your Word of the Year worksheet, created and offered by Joy @ Being Joy (Thanks, Joy ) to delve into my chosen word. […]
I really enjoyed your Word of the Year worksheet. I used it alongside Christine’s and it added a new dimension to it. I wrote about it in my blog today. Thanks for the wonderful tool!
Yeah! So glad you found the worksheet helpful! And thanks for sharing the link on your blog. Happy new year. XXOO!
Excellent exercise!!! Okay, here we go .…
Word = POWER
Sounds like the rush of Niagara Falls
Takes like sharp cheese, like old cheddar
Feels like sinewy muscles in motion
Smells like the electricity in the air before a storm
Moves with the speed and grace of a wild cat
Is the colour electric blue
The fabric is kid leather … soft but strong
The place is on the tidal rocks of the ocean
And the animal is a feline mountain lion
Eliza´s last [type] ..Employment Law For Job Seekers
WOWEE! Reading that got me all fired up, girlfriend! 2011 is gonna be fierce!
Surrender
Sounds like tinkling bells.
Feels like a warm breeze.
Tastes like clear mountain water.
Smells like warm apple pie.
Moves like a fluid snake
Surrender feels strong, like peace in my body.
The color is white, pure and cleansing.
The fabric is satin– silky and delicious on my skin.
The place is in the woods, where beauty surrounds, envelops and blankets me in all directions.
Ooooooooh YES. I can feel it in my whole body. Thank you so much for sharing this, Jill. XO!
Wow, what interesting questions, Joy.
My word is FOCUS. I wrote about it here.
Now I am eager to spend a little time with your questions, to develop a fuller sense of FOCUS for me. The ladies above who shared their answers have inspired me!
I know, Jet! I have LOVED reading everyone’s explorations. Very cool stuff. I can’t wait to see what “focus” brings up for you!
Joy, I’ve chosen a different word from last week! Remember, at first I chose “unburdened” but was not completely comfortable with it? I am changing my word to “contentment”. This word in no way, negates the vision board that I did with you last week, in fact, it seems to fit better. As I look at my life, I have so much to be thankful for and happy about. I tend to let the occasional glitches rob me of contentment and in doing so, I realize that I think, BUT only think, that I am discontent! I hope to allow myself to see and feel and experience contentment. I really think that I have allowed contentment to be hidden within me? Maybe?.… ALSO: I’m looking forward to our family getting back into a regular routine in a few days and will delve into the “Love Your Life Creation Kit”.
I LOVE contentment, Mom. And that really hits what you described with your board. I’m excited for you!
Hi Joy,
I just signed up for the newsletter and am loving it! Thanks! I usually prefer to read rather than watch videos, but I couldn’t resist your friendly face and great smile, and I loved being able to see your vision board. My word for the year is CREATE, and I’m very excited about creating even more writings and art this year. My partner and I have a free e-newsletter too, called Dream Journal, and I’d love it if you wanted to check it out (go to http://www.felinedreamers.com and click Join). We seem to have a similar approach to personal growth. Thanks again for sharing your wisdom!
Peace,
Nikki (aka Starcat)
Thank you so much for this sweet comment! It’s great to have you here! And I will definitely check out what you have going on. XXOO!
I found your site through Eliza and I liked your suggestions about picking your word for the year. I have a couple in mind right now—trust and balance.
I copied your worksheet and will go through it with the words and see which one feels right.
I like your site very much. It’s positive, fun and uplifting; a perfect combination of “joy.”
Thanks:~)
Hey Sara! Thanks so much for coming over and commenting! It’s great to have you here. I hope the worksheet sparks some exciting things for you! XXOO!
Took me a long long time to come up with one. Narrowed down the field. Found one that fits.…Acceptance.
Will have a lot of use with this word this year I do believe!
That is a freakin’ AWESOME word choice. And it’s gonna yield amazing things for you, my dear. I just know it.
[…] word thing is a thing right now, and with good […]
[…] that this word was too specific. I needed more room, more flow. (Which is funny, because that – flow – was Joy’s word last […]