Choosing one word that "shapes your year" can be more effective than trying to keep New Year's Resolutions, said Chele Gillon, mental health professional for Barren County Schools, in a recent interview with WCLU Radio. Illustration by Will Perkins/Glasgow News 1
By WILL PERKINS
Glasgow News 1
Even though some ambitious yearly goals may not have made it past Super Bowl Sunday, there’s still hope for a positive and productive 2025.
New Year’s Resolutions can “sometimes put us in a box,” said Chele Gillon, mental health professional for Barren County Schools, in a recent interview with WCLU Radio.
“When we set these hard-and-fast goals, sometimes it’s sheer will power that keeps us going, and that will run out,” Gillon said, adding that there’s other ways to tackle these goals, including the concept of choosing one word to focus on throughout the year.
“Have one word that shapes your year,” she said. “Thinking about a general term, but what is it that I want to make changes in my life? What do I value? What is something that I want to put into practice that does allow me to grow personally or in my relationships?”
Choosing one word, an idea inspired by author Jon Gordon, can help people achieve their personal goals, Gillon said, especially “with those resolutions that have fizzled out.”
“I think it’s really good to stop and take inventory of where am I right now?” she said. “What do I value? What do I want to possibly improve on? What word would help shape that, to get me to that point?”
As an example for students, Gillon said choosing a word like “courage” could help them make decisions and life choices.
“Maybe you’re in the hallway at school and you see somebody being mistreated,” Gillon said. “The courage within you, if that’s your word, you use your voice to stand up and be that voice for that other person that maybe is not using there’s.
“Just saying a kind word to someone who looks a little down can make a big impact.”
Gillon said focusing on one word can also “help you be present.”
“Being present is hard,” she said. “Sometimes it’s really hard because, like we mentioned, we’re so fast-paced all the time. But stopping and just pausing and being present can make a lot of difference.”
Gillon encourages families to participate in these goals together.
“It’s for all ages,” she said. “It could really bring families together. Whoever you live with in your home, if everybody chooses a word, and then maybe even if it’s five or 10 minutes and you check in with one another and share: ‘Here’s my progress.’”
Gillon also emphasized the importance of “progress, not perfection.”
“We want to see growth,” she said. “Sometimes resolutions put us in that perfection box, and nobody’s perfect and we want to celebrate the progress.”
After choosing a word to focus on, Gillon recommends writing it down.
“I have my word posted on my bathroom mirror and I see it every day,” she said. “It’s just a general reminder.
“There’s my focus. There’s my wrap-around. That’s my anchor as I move forward.”
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