Every December for the last few years I have spent time reflecting on the past 365 days and looking ahead to the coming year. In December of 2017 I knew that the word possibility was going to be my word. It was through my reflective process that I added the supporting phrase of “adventures that stretch” to my word of the year.

Even though I’ve only blogged about possibility twice this year (Possibilities are Everywhere and Lessons Learned Skydiving), I’ve thought about my word often, and used it to guide my decision-making throughout the year. Possibilities presented themselves to me personally and professionally, and there were a few adventures that definitely helped me stretch. There were also some possibilities that I chose not to engage in, for my own sake. It’s interesting how not doing something is as much of a choice as doing something is.

It’s almost time for me to start thinking about a new word for next year. Even writing 2019 feels weird – how did we get here already? I’m not sure where my reflection will take me next, but I enjoy the process every time. I truly feel that the right word comes to me when I need it, for the right reasons. Some years I lean into my physical well-being or my personal life. Other years my professional growth is calling to me. Stay tuned on January 1st for what my next word or phrase will be. Will you be choosing a word for 2019?