Six years ago I learned about the one-word initiative Jon Gordon wrote about in his book, "One Word that will Change Your Life" that encourages people to identify one word that will be their driving force for the year (instead of a list of resolutions that are often hard to accomplish/attain).
I selected the following words over the years: believe (2016), wonder (2017), trust (2018), empower (2019) and see in 2020.My one-word for 2021 is hope. I chose this word after reflecting on living and leading through a pandemic and spending several hours watching and rewatching this commencement speech given by William McRaven, US Navy Admiral to the graduates at the University of Texas seven years ago. I thought about the current needs of everyone in my life- my family, my friends, my colleagues, my students, and my community. In his speech, Admiral McRaven suggests that one person can change the world by giving people hope. Right now- in the midst of so much unknown- we all need hope. Admiral McRaven's words have truly inspired me to enter 2021 with a positive mindset despite the challenges and unknowns I am sure we will all face. His words lead me to select hope for my one-word and I am committed to living and leading with hope every day in this new year.
