Two years ago, I began this annual tradition.
In 2015, I ended a prolonged writer’s block by selecting Onward as my word of the year. In the twelve months that followed, I wrote articles and book reviews and released two novels—A Season for Killing Blondes and The Coming of Arabella. I also started several projects that were in various stages of completion by the year’s end.
Frustrated by these incomplete projects, I selected Focus as my word for 2016. I applied myself and finished editing Too Many Women in the Room (to be released in Spring 2017). I also wrote several short pieces and participated in NaNoWriMo, completing 50K words of A Different Kind of Reunion (to be completed in 2017 and released in early 2018).
As I contemplated my selection for 2017, I toyed with several words: upward, booming, soaring, flying, success, prosperity, and abundance. Clearly, I was headed in a very different direction, one less linear than previous years. Having proven that I can initiate and complete writing projects, I was now ready to raise the stakes. I also needed to cultivate a more trusting spirit and take more risks.
For those reasons, I have selected Thrive as my word for 2017.
I like this definition from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary…
1: to grow vigorously: flourish
2: to gain in wealth or possessions: prosper
3: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances
And this quotation from Maya Angelou…
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Thrive ♦ Prosperare ♦ Prospérer ♦ Gedeihen ♦ Prosperar ♦ Trives ♦ Blomstre
Have you selected a word for 2017?
Joanne Guidoccio 
Love your word for 2017 Joanne and any quote from the great Maya Angelou. May it be so in this year ahead.
Hi Joanne,
I love your practice of choosing a word. How cool is that!
And “Thrive” is perfect. Wishing you best wishes.
Jo-Ann
Thanks Jo-Ann. All the best to you in 2017. 🙂
I love your word!!!!
Thanks Charlotte! 🙂
Great choice Joanne and thanks for the reminder. I love the idea of choosing a word for the year. Mine is Fearlessness. All the best in 2017 🙂
Hi Lisa, I love the sound of “fearlessness”…all those lovely esses. Good luck in 2017. 🙂
What a great word! And what a great idea. I would have to say that my 2017 word is “begin”. I’ve been pushing certain things aside that I’ve wanted to do and get started in my life and this year is the time to begin doing all of them.
Hi Angela, Beginnings can be exciting, overwhelming and nerve-wracking. But once we begin…Good Luck in 2017! 🙂
Joanne – what a great word!!!!! Mine is compromise. I love that we actually fulfill the meanings of these words…Happy 2017 and I hope you….thrive!
Hi Peggy, I’ve also discovered that we live up to our words. All the best with “compromise” 🙂
I love that you do this, Joanne! And thrive is perfect for you, because you are. Good luck in all your 2017 adventures, I can’t wait to see where your road goes 🙂
Hi Jacquie, I love new beginnings…so many opportunities to start over, set goals…I’m a planner. Now, I just need to step on the gas. 🙂
What a glorious, joyful choice. Well played, Joanne. May you thrive mightily in 2017.
Thanks so much Rusty! I appreciate your support. 🙂
Bought “A Season for Killing Blondes.” Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks for your support. Happy reading! 🙂