Six Days to Prepare for Greatness: Finding Your Word for the New Year

Here we are, friends—the last six days of the year. The hustle and bustle of Christmas is behind us, and the promise of a brand-new year is just around the corner. Before you start planning your resolutions or diving headfirst into a new planner (because, yes, we all love a fresh planner), I want to encourage you to slow down. Take a deep breath in, exhale all the noise, and center yourself. These final days are not to be rushed through—they are a gift, a time to pause, reflect, and align yourself with what’s ahead.

This isn’t about making a checklist of all the things you didn’t accomplish this year (no guilt trips here). It’s about leaning into the lessons, acknowledging the growth, and preparing your heart and mind for the year to come. Let’s talk about how to embrace these six days intentionally, with purpose and peace.

Take a moment to think back over this year. What did you learn about yourself? What challenges stretched you beyond what you thought was possible? What victories made you stand a little taller?

Life has a funny way of teaching us through both the good and the not-so-good. Reflecting doesn’t mean dwelling on mistakes or missed opportunities; it means honoring the journey and recognizing how far you’ve come. Even if this year was tough—especially if it was tough—you are still here, still standing, and that is worth celebrating.

Now, as we look toward the new year, let’s talk about getting quiet. I mean really quiet. The kind of quiet where you put down your phone, turn off the TV, and let yourself sit in stillness.

This is where the divine alignment happens. In the stillness, seek the Father. Ask Him to guide you into what’s next. This isn’t a rushed prayer or a checklist for Him to fulfill. It’s a time to listen. It’s amazing what God will reveal when we stop talking and start listening.

At the start of last year, I decided to focus on just one word to guide me through the year. One simple, powerful word to keep me grounded, aligned, and intentional.

For me, that word was intentional. It shaped how I made decisions, approached challenges, and even how I rested. Some days I got it right, and other days… well, let’s just say grace was my best friend. But having that one word gave me a compass, a way to navigate life’s ups and downs with purpose.

Now, it’s your turn. Over these next six days, spend some time in prayer and reflection. Ask God to reveal your word for the new year. It might be something like joy, trust, faith, growth, or even peace. Whatever it is, let it resonate deeply with you. Write it down, keep it somewhere visible, and let it guide you as you step into 2025.

These days between Christmas and New Year’s are like the calm before the storm—a sacred space to pause before the excitement of what’s next. Don’t rush through it. Instead, savor it. Take a walk, journal your thoughts, or simply sit with a cup of tea and breathe.

Remember, you don’t have to have all the answers right now. This time is for preparation, not perfection. It’s about aligning your heart with His plan and stepping into the new year with confidence and peace.

Let’s close with a prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of this year—the lessons, the growth, the moments of joy, and even the challenges that have drawn us closer to You. As we step into these final days of the year, help us to slow down, reflect, and prepare our hearts for what’s to come. Reveal to us the word You would have us focus on in the new year, and give us the courage to walk in alignment with Your plan. May we embrace 2025 with hope, purpose, and unwavering faith. Amen.

So, let’s take these six days seriously, my friend. They are a gift—a time to pause, reflect, and prepare. Find your word, hold it close, and get ready to step boldly into the new year. You’ve got this, and the best is yet to come.

Here’s to a year of alignment, growth, and all the blessings God has in store for you!