Did you have a word of the year for 2021? Have you chosen a word for 2022?

This is a practice I started nearly 10 years ago.

Back in 2013, I chose three words — joy, communion, and gratitude.

Through the years I’ve chosen words such as “magic” and “faith.”

I usually spend the first half of December choosing my focus word for the upcoming year. December is such a peculiar month for us all as we find ourselves simultaneously looking back and longing to move forward. For me, choosing a word of the year is a part of this.

I believe all writers should have a five-year plan. So, it might surprise you that I don’t have one.

Let me explain.

I’m ditching my 2021 goals. Sort of.

I recently joined a mastermind being led by my friend and fellow writer Carrie Rollwagen. And in this mastermind, we’ll all be working together through The 12-Week Year by Brian P Moran and Michael Lennington. The premise is simple: get more done in 12 weeks than others do in 12 months. It’s all about setting and slaying goals, so when Carrie emailed me about it, of course, I was like, “Sign me up!”

To be honest, it feels like I was screaming “Happy New Year!” just yesterday and here we are already welcoming March.

I’ve decided this will be a month for big dreams.