Embrace the Power of One Word 365: A Transformative Approach to Goal Setting for 2024

Thirteen years ago, I was introduced to One Word 365 when I read the book, One Word That Will Change Your Life. And to say that the book lived up to its title would be an understatement.

It wasn’t just the intriguing title that captured my curiosity, but the compelling promise within the introduction that convinced me to make the purchase:

“If we could give you one thing that would improve your life in incredible ways, would you receive it? And if this one thing was so intuitive and easy to use that you would be crazy not to try it… would you give it a shot?”

As December of 2010 rolled in, I found myself in a challenging period. The year had thrown various obstacles my way, both personally and professionally. While the dealership was thriving, my battle with Merkel Cell cancer, which had metastasized, required three surgeries and over sixty radiation treatments. The toll it took on me was undeniable.

My instinct was always to power through challenges, but cancer brought a different kind of exhaustion. That’s when “One Word” entered my life, and, reflecting on my state, I chose the theme for the upcoming year – “Pause.” Little did I know that 45 days later, I would learn of my cancer’s return for the third time, now with a stage 4 diagnosis.

For me, the word “Pause” under those circumstances became synonymous with transformation.

Since that pivotal year, I’ve introduced the concept of One Word to family, friends, and interested business and life coaching clients.

The consensus?

Adopting a One Word 365 mindset brought clarity, purpose, power, and passion. All of which served as driving forces that kept their vision alive for the next 365 days.

But how can something so seemingly simple be so effective?

The answer lies in the power of words.

Words, when used thoughtfully and intentionally, possess transformative power. They inspire, motivate, and energize. Words can heal, encourage, and turn the seemingly impossible into the possible.

The magic of the One Word 365 mindset extends its impact to the core components of life, what I like to call the Six F’s:

Faith, Family, Friends, Finances, Fitness, and Fun!

And trust me… there is a word out there waiting for you.

Are you ready to embark on the transformative journey of One Word 365 for 2024? If so, download a FREE COPY of my One Word 365 Workbook which walks you through the process of selecting a word for 2024!

one-word-365-workbook-tom-martin-coaching

Want to learn more… check out this video and discover the potential that lies within a single, powerful word.

You see, when a compelling vision is combined with a single word that describes a desired outcome with laser-like focus… transformation occurs!

Here is a link to order your own copy of One Word That Will Change Your Life book! 

 

As you can see from the image above, I’m still contemplating what my One Word 365 for 2024 will be. That’s ok, sometimes it takes time! Check back next week, and I will post my word along with why it is important to me for 2024. 

And if you need some assistance getting started with One Word 365 for 2024let’s chat!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2024! 

Cancer Milestone

I have had March 3, 2015 circled on my calendar for almost four years. The date represents a cancer milestone for me, and an anniversary of a conversation which was filled with wisdom.

cancer-milestone-leverage-your-life-now

Photo credit: Victor Correia©

4 Months, 4 Years, or 40 Years

Milestone:

1. A stone functioning as a milespost.

2. A significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, or the like of a person, nation, etc.

Actually the significance of March 3, 2015 points back to a pivotal conversation which occurred four years earlier on March 3, 2011. On that day my fiancé and I were meeting with the Pastor who would marry us. Mike Teston asked us to share our stories and why we wanted to be married now rather than in the fall which was our original plan.

I shared how merkel cancer had returned for a third time with a stage-four diagnosis. Shari told Pastor Mike how she wanted to be with me through the radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery regardless of the outcome. In the two hours we were together, questions were asked and answers given, tears were shed, and prayers were prayed.  As we were saying goodbye Mike said,

A Cinderella Story In The Midst Of The March Madness

The opening rounds have played themselves out and no one can lay claim to winning a billion dollars for a perfect bracket. In the midst of all the competition, the highlights, and the heartbreaks a story bubbles to the surface which illustrates how the game of life, when played well, creates a MVP in the most unlikely of situations.

Adreian and Lacey

Meet Cinderella: Actually the Cinderella of this story Lacey Holsworth, aka @adorableLacey as she is known by her 12,000 Twitter followers. Lacey is a vivacious 8 year old girl who loves Michigan State basketball and is battling neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer that has threatened her life for nearly two years. 

Roswell Football Team is Winning Games and Winning Hearts

Team Rachel

Photo Credit: CBS Atlanta

Rachel Buckner is a nine-year-old fourth grader who loves high school football. And if you asked what her favorite thing to do is, she would reply watching the Roswell Hornets play on Friday night.

When RHS coaches and players learned about Rachel’s favorite thing and also her battle with Leukemia they chose to rally around the Buckner family offering support and distractions while she was in treatment. Cards and posters were sent, a pep rally took place along with a fund-raiser, and earlier this month during the Homecoming Game Rachel was named the Varsity Football Sweetheart.

Cancer Steals Life – Research Saves Lives

Which is Why I Hope You Will Join Our Team

When David answered the door, he had no idea how his life was about to change. His doctor and friend had come to tell him he had chronic myelogenous leukemia and just 3-5 years to live. Click on the screenshot and hear about David’s remarkable cancer journey.

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Even if you can’t walk with us on October 1st, you can join the Leveraging Life Stick It 2 cancer team by making a donation of any amount. It all adds up and has the potential to save lives like you just saw in that video.

Has It Been A Year Already?

 

iStockphotos © RTimages

The last few weeks have been a blur! An example of that fact is you seeing this post now and not July 11th as originally planned. There is a saying, “life get’s in the way,” and I think you’ll agree there are times when “stuff” gets in the way of life as well…and boy has that been the case lately for me!

How Are You Feeling?

How are you feeling is a common question I get asked several times a day, and a few times there is a follow-up question that gets asked before I answer the first question, “bet you get tired of answering that question don’t you?”

Actually I don’t mind answering that question at all because the fact that someone asks shows they care!

But something you probably should know, and I don’t think I’m alone feeling this way, is that the answer you get may not always be totally truthful at all times. There are a few reasons why, and I’d like to share them:

Milestones

I’m not sure if I should classify today as a milestone or an anniversary? Truth be told four months ago a conversation took place which caused me to circle this date on the calendar and I hoped I would reach this milestone.

milestones-leverage-your-life-now

iStockphoto © Victor Correia

4 months, 4 years, or 40 years

I always envisioned the day my fiance and I applied for our marriage license would be a fun day. Unfortunately March 3, 2011 was anything but fun as we had to squeeze in getting our marriage license between a series of doctor’s appointments. The last two weeks were a blur of activity as Shari and I learned my cancer I not only returned but had metastasized to the point where I was now categorized with Stage 4 merkel cell cancer. Our plans for a Fall wedding were radically changed with the cancer news and we found planning for our wedding which was only 21 days away. Sadly I never allowed myself to experience fun or joy this day, I was too busy feeling sorry for myself, being angry, and I was looking for someone to blame…God!

Leveraging Faith

iStockphotos © Michel de Nijs

Sixteen hours in a car driving to and from Indiana for a wedding last weekend afforded me a good bit of time to reflect on the first six months of 2011. In the moments when my family dozed, one thought emerged almost as often as overpasses appeared on the horizon:

I had not “paused” as often as I hoped to this year.

My first inclination was to go through a long list of excuses why, and those familiar with my story might consider most to be legitimate. Regardless of the excuses, though, one question lingered.

Is there a correlation between pausing and being grateful?

When you live your life at a pace life dictates, you miss what opportunities are present to go deeper, past those surface level observations. At the surface everything is a blur, much like when you lie in bed at night and the day just plays through your head like a movie preview trailer. But if you truly desire to see the real story being written by your life, you need to make an effort to look past the obvious and find the picture God is painting.