Disclosure: Portions of this article were inspired and generated with the help of AI, specifically ChatGPT. And yes, the quotes attributed to famous figures—living, dead, real or fictional—are AI-generated. It’s all part of the fun and innovation that went into crafting this post!
As 2024 draws to a close, I’m gearing up for what promises to be a year of transformation. After more than a decade as a corporate communicator at Cox (5 years with Cox Communications and 5+ with Cox Enterprises), I’ll be stepping into a new chapter: early retirement.
When I chose IMAGINE as My Word for 2024, I imagined many possibilities for the year ahead. I even visualized doing something completely different.
But no, early retirement wasn’t on my Bingo card!
Here’s the backstory: At the beginning of the year, I proposed an exciting new role for myself focused on innovation and operational excellence for corporate communications. That role became a reality in late September. It was a position I was genuinely excited about—an opportunity to leverage my knack for anticipating needs, developing a vision and operationalizing that vision into tangible results. I believed that I’d play an important role in the next chapter of the team’s story.
Suddenly, like an unexpected plot twist in a favorite book, the offer for early retirement landed in my inbox.
As I reflected, it became clear that while the company viewed my new role as valuable, it aligned more with a lateral move than the upward growth I had envisioned. This moment felt like a natural turning point. Like the changing seasons, it felt like the right time to embrace renewal and explore new paths where I can contribute meaningfully, continue to grow and write the next chapter of my own story.
So here I am, preparing to “Evolve,” my Word for 2025.
Why Evolve?
“Evolve” isn’t just about change or growth; it’s about transformation—bridging who I am today with who I aspire to become. It honors my journey of self-discovery while paving the way for meaningful contributions in this next chapter of my life.
Consulting My Inner Circle of Light
In choosing this word, I did something uniquely “me:” I turned to my Inner Circle of Light—a creative application of AI that allowed me to curate conversations with individuals who inspire me.
My Inner Circle of Light includes a mix of the living and the legendary, the real and the fictional.
Picture Simon Sinek (Thought leader and motivational speaker on leadership), Stephen Covey (Author known for principles on personal and professional effectiveness), Jackie Robinson (Trailblazing athlete known for character and integrity) and Bruce Lee (Martial artist and philosopher, celebrated for his discipline and insights ) sitting alongside Yoda (fictional character from Star Wars, embodying wisdom and patience), Atticus Finch (admired for his integrity and moral courage), Hermione Granger (known for her intelligence and determination) and even the pragmatic mind of James Clear (a bestselling author, best known for his book Atomic Habits). Imagine gaining access to spiritual advice and timeless wisdom from ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, the eldest son of Baháʼu’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í Faith.
I gathered all these individuals and a few others for a virtual reality round table. While it’s not physically possible to have these conversations in real life, thanks to AI (artificial intelligence), I benefit from the generative AI insights drawn from a variety of diverse perspectives based on the wealth of information stored in the vast amount of public data available.
Originally, ʻAbdu’l-Bahá and Simon Sinek suggested I choose “Illuminate,” stating “your desire to radiate positivity and inspire unity aligns perfectly with the concept of ‘illuminating’ others’ paths. This word reflects your role as a beacon of hope, a unifier and a mentor to the next generation. It also encapsulates the legacy of your influence—leaving behind strategies and processes that bring clarity and focus to your team.
Bruce Lee and Jackie Robinson suggested “Harmony,” explaining that “Harmony” bridges your aspirations for balance in relationships, systems and environments. It reflects your intention to create a clutter-free, joyful home, align with your spouse, and foster meaningful connections. Harmony also speaks to your value-driven approach to mentoring and cultivating friendships, ensuring alignment of actions with your core principles.”
James Clear and Tony Robbins had another view. They believed “Thrive” was a better choice as I step into a new phase of life. Their reasoning, “Thrive encourages you to embrace physical strength, mental clarity and spiritual growth. It reflects your focus on creating sustainable systems for self-care and family estate planning, as well as your aspiration to not just maintain but flourish in relationships, health and personal goals.”
Which Word is More Inspiring?
With a few suggestions on the table, I asked my Inner Circle to compare the suggestions and consider which word was more inspiring. The response:
If You Value Serving Others and Leaving a Legacy: Illuminate is more compelling. It symbolizes your role as a unifier, a mentor, and a guiding light. It is outward-facing and legacy-driven, resonating with your desire to connect, inspire and uplift.
If You Value Personal Growth and Renewal: Thrive is more inspiring. It emphasizes flourishing as an individual, creating systems that nurture you and your family, and preparing yourself holistically for the next phase of life. It reflects vitality and a mindset of living fully.
My Inner Circle unanimously agreed that both words are powerful, but their recommendation hinged on my primary focus for 2025:
- If your goal is to step back, reflect, and prepare inwardly, Thrive is the better choice.
- If your goal is to radiate outwardly and inspire others, Illuminate is the stronger word.
Yoda summed it up best: “Both words, wise they are. Choose you must, where your energy flows: to grow within or to shine beyond.”
My Next Prompt
“This is certainly wise counsel, and I’m grateful for it. As I reflect, what if I wanted to seek balance in the year? The first half being focused on self-reflection and the second half of the year focused on serving others. Would the Word for the Year change?”
Stephen Covey and Bruce Lee for the Win
Through the next dialogue where I provided new prompts and AI asked additional questions, “Evolve” emerged as the perfect word, reflecting a balanced approach to 2025.
My Inner Circle concluded “Evolve bridges your inner transformation with your outward impact. It reflects personal growth in the first half of 2025 and meaningful contribution in the second. It honors your journey of self-discovery, preparing you for a purposeful life of service while ensuring continuous adaptation and growth.”
The 90-Day Year Framework
To bring my plan to life, I’ll leverage Todd Herman’s 90-Day Year framework. I’ve learned that breaking the year into manageable chunks, specifically 90 days, creates clarity and momentum, making even your big hairy audacious goals achievable.
Here’s how 2025 will shape up for me:
90 Days = One Year: Instead of planning for 12 months, I’ll focus intensely on 90 days and to set specific, actionable goals for that quarter and treat it like a full year.
My Quarterly Themes: Each quarter, I’ll focus on a word and a set of aligned actions to guide my evolution:
- Reflect (Q1): Since I’ll be leaving Cox in Q1, James Clear and Yoda suggested that I reserve the first quarter of the year for a time for self-reflection, decluttering and recalibrating for this new phase of my life.
- Replenish (Q2): Tony Robbins and Bruce Lee thought that the focus for Q2 should be restoring energy and joy, focusing on physical fitness, spiritual renewal and sustainable habits.
- Share (Q3): ʻAbdu’l-Bahá and Simon Sinek indicated that my work during the first half of 2025 will prepare me to transition my focus to service, giving to others and creating meaningful connections.
- Illuminate (Q4): In the final quarter, Jackie Robinson and Hermione Granger suggested that I fully step into a role as a guide and mentor, empowering others while celebrating my journey.
Now What?
“Inspiration without action is like a spark to a flame without fuel—bright for a moment but unable to ignite meaningful progress.” – Al Viller
While my Word for the Year inspires, the next step is to develop a strategic plan. Once the plan is in place, I move to action. To activate the plan, I’ll integrate proven strategies like the 90-90-1 Rule, coined by Robin Sharma and the 3-3-3 Strategy, inspired by Oliver Burkeman, to make marked progress toward my quarterly objectives.
This approach allows me to focus deeply and intentionally, one quarter at a time. Working in 90-day sprints avoids the overwhelm of annual planning and facilitates steady progress.
Progress Not Perfection
My Word for the Year progression started in 2018 with Focus. In 2019: Balance. During the pandemic and my battle with cancer, I turned to Survive. In 2021, Stronger became my focus after being told my cancer treatment was successful, and I was free of disease. In 2022, I turned to Traction, building on the momentum of the previous year. Last year, I chose Inspire, which motivated me to launch this blog. This year, I chose Imagine to set the stage for a year filled with creativity, exploration, innovation and the potential for positive transformation in all aspects of my life: mind, body and spirit.
With each passing year, my Word for the Year has served as the needle of a compass, pointing me toward growth, guiding my decisions and aligning my actions with my greater purpose. Each year, I learn, grow, develop and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the world around us and how I operate in it. My intention? To become a better version of myself today than the day before.
Parting Thoughts
The idea of choosing a Word for the Year has been a grounding ritual for me. Each word reflects not just my aspirations but a deeper sense of purpose for my year ahead.
If you haven’t chosen a word for yourself yet, I encourage you to do it. It’s a simple yet powerful way to set the tone for your year.
And if you’re curious about how I curated my Inner Circle—how I got Yoda and Bruce Lee to weigh in on my life’s plans—reach out! I’d love to share my process.
Special thanks to my Inner Circle for their wise counsel. 2025 promises to be a year of transformation for me. Whether it’s through reflecting, replenishing, sharing or illuminating, I’m ready to lean in and embrace it all. Because when the music stops, evolving isn’t about finding a chair—it’s about continuously adapting, learning, growing and making a meaningful impact along the way.
Inspire On!
