Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that fizzled out by February? Me too. That’s exactly what One Word That Will Change Your Life by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page is all about. It’s a small book with a simple but powerful idea: instead of chasing multiple resolutions, focus on just one word that shapes every area of your life—spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, and financial—for the whole year.
A neighbor first told me about it five years ago. I didn’t wait until January to get started—I read the book in August and decided to begin in September to align with the school year since I work in education. It felt like a fresh start.
Praying for My Word
The first thing I did was pray. I asked God to show me the word He wanted me to focus on. Once I had it, I sat down at my computer and typed out answers to three questions:
- What do I need?
- What’s standing in my way?
- What needs to go?
I answered these questions in all six areas of my life. Then I got creative—because I love art, I made a poster of my word and hung it where I’d see it every day. It really helped me keep that word front and center all year long. Let me show you how this works in practice.
My “Renaissance” Year
One year, my word was Renaissance. To stay focused, I reviewed my word and my goals every week. Sometimes I stuck with the same challenge for several weeks to build a habit. It wasn’t about being perfect—it was about growing.
That year, I took an Art Ministry course and explored ways to serve others through painting, drawing, and writing. God led me to create watercolor paintings with Bible verses as gifts for my family. I didn’t know how they would respond to these gifts. I prayed over each one, hoping the verses would speak to their hearts. Several of them really loved the paintings.
I’ve wanted to use my skills in writing, painting, and drawing in a vocation for what seems like forever. I hoped the Art Ministry course would help me get there. So far it hasn’t, but it has given me creative ways to serve people.
That year also deepened my connection to God through nature. I found that when I slowed down on walks, I could hear Him more clearly—through how every tree is different, just as every person is unique.
Want to Try It?
If you’re curious about starting your own One Word journey, here’s what worked for me:
- Pray. Ask God for your word.
- Reflect. Write out answers to: What do I need? What’s in my way? What needs to go?
- Create a visual. Make a poster or collage—whatever works for you—and place it somewhere you’ll see it often.
- Check in weekly. Review your word and set a small challenge. Even a tiny step forward counts.
- Find support. Doing this with a friend or family member can make it even more meaningful.
One Word isn’t just about goals—it’s about letting God shape your year through one powerful focus. And sometimes, one word really can change everything.
For more on Journaling check out How to Start Journaling here.