Beautifully Brave.

For the last few years, I have spent time reflecting on where I want to go for the next year and choosing a word of the year that helps me guide my focus and attention. In 2020, my word of the year was intention and it turned out to be the perfect word for a year when things were continuously turned upside down and as unpredictable as they have been in awhile. As I began reflecting forward to 2021, I had a good-sized list of words that resonated with me and where I wanted to go in 2021. As I considered the list and the goals that I was setting, the list narrowed and I had three options I was contemplating. I shared my three finalists with my wife and she shared her perspective, also asking me when I was going to decide the word. I responded that I would select it sometime in the next few days, when I felt like something spoke to me about the right word.

And, here’s the thing - I could have picked any of the three words - they all have power and meaning to me and aligned with where I am going in 2021. But, I knew that I wanted to give each of the words a feel in my brain before selecting one of them. Then, on Christmas morning, we opened our stockings, and I knew my gift would be an ornament, because it is a tradition my wife has every year for me. What I did not know was the ornament would be my sign for my word of 2021. She got me an ornament that said ‘beautifully brave’ on it. And she selected that ornament long before she knew what any of my contenders for word of the year were, so she had no idea that one of my top three finalists was brave. And so, for many reasons, but also because of this moment, my word of 2021 is ‘brave’.

I captured the definition of brave from Merriam-Webster (having or showing mental or moral strength to face danger, fear, or difficulty; having or showing courage) and also this one from Free Dictionary (brave is a general term that suggests fortitude, daring, and resolve) and a few of the synonyms to brave (courageous, fearless, bold, undaunted, daring, adventurous, audacious) as reminders of how I want to use my word for 2021 to propel me forward.

In 2021, brave will mean these things to me:

• I will be bold in pursuit of my goals

• I will be brave in facing my fears

• I will be audacious in helping women leaders find their confidence

• I will be undaunted by obstacles and roadblocks

• I will be courageous in being unapologetically me

• I will bravely experience everything 2021 offers

• I will be daring in how I lead, listen and learn

As I reflect forward, I know that being brave will take commitment, it will require vulnerability and it will push me to really be honest with myself where I’m succeeding and where I have opportunity. But I know that finding ways to show up as brave will create the results I want and help me take on 2021 with confidence.

What word will help propel you to achieve your goals in 2021?