My Word for 2026: Exponential
Choosing a word of the year was a practice my friend Lisa introduced me to. We were high school friends who reconnected after many years of being out of touch, and I’m grateful that reconnection brought so many meaningful things back into my life.
Lisa invited me to a workshop hosted by Jen Jones Donatelli. I attended virtually during the pandemic, selected 3 words of the year, and was immediately hooked. Lisa even made me a beautiful totem to memorialize my word selection. I still keep it nearby as a reminder of where I started and what I was calling in at the time.
I’ve come to love the idea of choosing a word or phrase as a lens—something that helps me evaluate opportunities, make decisions, and stay grounded in what matters most.
How I Learned About Choosing a Word of the Year
That first workshop opened my eyes to a different way of marking time. Instead of rigid goals or long lists of things to fix, a single word created focus. It gave me language for what I was growing toward and a steady reference point throughout the year.
Why I Keep Choosing a Word Instead of Resolutions
Resolutions tend to focus on outcomes. A word focuses on orientation. It shapes how I think, how I move, and how I decide—especially when things feel busy or uncertain.
For me, that shift has made all the difference.
Returning to the Word Up! Workshop
This year, I returned to the Word Up! workshop to select my word for 2026. The process was thoughtful, engaging, and full of people intentionally choosing how they want to operate in the year ahead.
From Dream Brain Dump to Direction
The workshop began with a journaling exercise focused on what I want to create this year. I gave myself permission to do a full dream brain dump. No editing. No constraints.
I ended up with 8 ideas.
From there, I narrowed those 8 ideas down to 3 goals.
What I Noticed When I Narrowed My Focus
Once I reduced the list, a pattern emerged—one I couldn’t unsee. The goals weren’t random. They shared an underlying theme about how I want to grow and operate.
The Being of It All
My favorite part of the workshop came next. Jen calls it “The Being of It All.” This exercise shifts the focus from doing to becoming.
It uses a Mad Lib–style prompt with fill-in-the-blank sections that help you articulate who you are choosing to be.
The Mad Lib That Changed Everything
Mine looked like this:
If I 10X then I will reach my personal and professional goals and become more purposeful in how I move and make decisions.
After completing the prompt, I listed words connected to that idea of being.
And there it was.
Why My Word for 2026 Is… Exponential
Exponential captured everything I was trying to name: abundance, growth, optimization, mastery, and excellence.
It reflects how I want to build, how I want to lead, and how I want to show up this year.
Turning a Word Into a Daily Reminder
To bring the word to life, I used my AI assistant to create an image that visually represents Exponential. I’ve set it as my phone's unlocked screen saver, so I see it every day—a reminder of what I’m creating and who I’m becoming.
Your Turn
How do you mark the passing of another year?
Have you ever chosen a word of the year?
Are you more of a resolutions person?
There’s no right answer. But if you have a practice that helps you reflect, reset, or refocus, I’d love to hear about it.
Leave a comment or reach out—I always enjoy these conversations.
Carry This Intention Forward
If choosing a word of the year resonates with you, you’re already doing the kind of reflective work that creates meaningful momentum.
In 2026, I’m continuing to support women who want to be more intentional about how they show up in their careers, how they evaluate opportunities, communicate their value, and make decisions that align with what they’re building.
Whether that looks like refining your résumé and LinkedIn profile, preparing for a performance review, or simply creating space to think more strategically about what’s next, you don’t have to do it alone.
Reach out when you’re ready to take the next step, and schedule your Reinvent Your Career Strategy Session. I look forward to meeting with you soon!
