Have You Let A Word Pick You For This Year?

I have had amazing conversations tied to a “single word” process that I am following this year.

Before I dive into the details, I feel it’s important to share that this process of picking a word is new for me. 

At first when I learned about the “single word” idea, I thought it was hokey. But, I’m always open to learning new techniques for growth, so I continued to explore, research and reflect on what this idea meant to me. What I discovered with the single-word method of goal setting is a system that helped me identify a BIG idea with no end point for completion.

My Word For 2021 (And Perhaps Beyond) Is ‘Connection.’ But, I Didn’t Select The Word; It Selected Me.

“Connection” represents my desire to go deeper in all parts of my life to create growth and expansion. I want to feel “connection” with myself, my wife and kids, my family, my friends, my colleagues and the present moment.

Why Is ‘Connection’ My Word?

Because when I am connected, I feel energetic, I am having fun, I am enjoying the present moment, I am creating. When I feel connected, I enter my peak/flow state.

Conversely, when I feel disconnection, I feel more stress, more anxiousness, less fun. Disconnection causes me to miss out on the opportunity to be present, right where I am, with whoever I am with.

To create more connection, I must share, be open, be vulnerable, explore and seek in all parts of my life and within myself.

Connection is my word for 2021, but seeking connection will not end for me at the end of 2021. This one isn’t getting crossed off my list because there is no end-point for achievement. The idea of connection is so BIG that it wraps around all parts of my life, allowing me to continually move toward it.

For me, connection is a purpose / mission / feeling that sits above my goals. Connection is aligned with how I will achieve my goals. Connection for me represents the intersection of everything I’m working toward. It is a place of magical alignment. 

Throughout the week, I have shared my word in one-on-one conversations, and I have learned the words of others, which include “abundance,” “better,” “expansion,” “intentional,” “release,” “thrive”... Each of these words has a story behind it. And there is pure joy to feel the energy and passion connected to these words.

I believe we each have a word. I believe we can each create our own magical alignment.

About the author

Fernando Borghese

Fernando Borghese is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Digital Media Solutions (DMS), the fastest growing independent agency focused on performance marketing. In this role, Fernando is responsible the day to day leadership and management of the company, encompassing all lines of business. He has a successful track record of building high-performing teams that that deliver measurable impact for Digital Media Solutions and its award-winning vertical-specific brands within highly complex and competitive industries. Under his leadership, DMS has achieved incredible year-over-year growth, which has earned recognition on the Inc. 5000 list in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.