Picking a word of the year is a popular thing for business owners who want to stay focused and set clear goals for the year. Instead of making New Year’s resolutions that you forget by February, a single word can be your go-to reminder or motivator whenever you need direction.
Why choose a word of the year?
Is it woo woo, or can it really work? When you’re running a business, you make hundreds of decisions every week and having one clear word stuck on your wall, in your diary, or in your phone notes means you’ve got a constant reminder of what matters most to you right now.
It helps you set intentions without overwhelming yourself with complicated strategies. Your word becomes the filter through which you evaluate opportunities, manage your time, and make tough choices. Should you say yes to that new project? Does this align with your word? Is this task helping you embody what you’ve chosen to focus on?
You can build your goals around your word, making them feel more achievable. Instead of having separate objectives for marketing, finance, operations and personal development, your word can tie them together into one clear path.
Choosing your word
The best words are ones that resonate with where you are now and where you want to be. Here are some examples to inspire you:
- Growth
If you’re ready to scale your business, attract more customers, or expand your offering. - Focus
When you need to stop spreading yourself too thin and concentrate on what truly matters. - Balance
For those who’ve been working too hard and need to create better boundaries between work and life. - Courage
If you’re planning to take risks, try something new, or step outside your comfort zone. - Simplify
When your business has become overly complicated, you need to strip things back. - Connection
If building relationships with customers, collaborators, or your community is your priority. - Consistency
If you recognise you struggle to maintain regular habits and want to show up reliably. - Profit
When it’s time to stop undercharging and focus seriously on your bottom line. - Quality
If you’re ready to do fewer things but do them exceptionally well. - Visibility
If you’ve been hiding and need to put yourself out there. - Rest
When you’re burnt out and need to prioritise your health, recovery and sustainability. - Innovation
If you want to shake things up and bring fresh ideas to your industry. - Clarity
When you need to cut through confusion and get crystal clear on your direction. - Resilience
For building the mental and emotional strength to handle whatever comes your way. - Freedom
If you’re working towards more flexibility, independence, or time off. - Confidence
When imposter syndrome is holding you back, and you need to trust yourself more. - Flow
For creating systems and routines that make your business run more smoothly. - Impact
If you want to focus on the difference you’re making rather than just the money you’re earning. - Momentum
When you need to keep moving forward consistently. - Authenticity
If you’re tired of trying to be something you’re not and want to show up as your true self. - Efficiency
For those who want to outsource, automate and achieve more in less time. - Joy
When you need to remember why you started your business in the first place. - Discipline
If you know what you need to do but struggle to follow through. - Abundance
For shifting your mindset from scarcity to believing there’s enough for everyone. - Transformation
When you’re ready for a significant change in how you operate. - Purpose
If you need to reconnect with your deeper reasons for running your business.
Or choose your own word…
Making it work
Once you’ve chosen your word, write it somewhere you’ll see it daily. Put it on a sticky note by your computer, make it your phone wallpaper, or add it to the top of your weekly planner. When you’re setting quarterly goals or planning your week, check in with your word. Are your actions aligned with it?
Your word can change over the year – it might mean different things or be used differently as your business grows. The idea isn’t to be strict, but to have something to keep you grounded.
Let us know what your word is going to be for 2026 by tagging us on Instagram @InformiUK.
