What is your word of the year?
Likely, you’ve heard this question countless times over the past month, as choosing a word of the year has become increasingly popular. Some prefer the simplicity of a single word and consider it an alternative to making new year’s resolutions. Others continue the tradition of resolutions and pick a word that summarizes specific goals.
Truly, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to selecting a word of the year. And if you choose not to identify a word for yourself in 2026, that’s okay, too.
But, what about choosing a word of the year for your business—one that your entire team can rally around?
If this sounds like an intriguing idea and you haven’t yet landed on a word or phrase that encapsulates your vision for 2026, consider the following suggestions.
Steady
Recently, we asked our Nationwide Marketing Group (NMG) CEO, Tom Hickman, to share his word of the year for 2026. His response? Steady.
To be steady requires a sense of calm and unwavering confidence that drives your business forward and builds trust with both your team and your customers. Steadiness also accepts that lasting progress takes time, consistency, and commitment to staying the course and staying focused on the big picture.
Connection
You’ve heard us share this word around PrimeTime and we truly believe in the power of connection.
This word encourages collaboration, engaging with a community of peers and mentors, and embracing opportunities to learn and grow together. NMG offers plenty of opportunities to connect and collaborate, and we hope you take advantage of a few this year!
Creativity
This word has seemingly endless applications, many of which have nothing to do with art or any form of media. At its core, to be creative is to be curious, resourceful, open to fresh ways of thinking, and unafraid to go against the grain.
Creativity allows space for growth and development to occur, welcomes learning through trial and error, and encourages brainstorming to solve problems as a team. A creative mindset also aims at what’s possible, which is especially helpful for the year ahead and beyond.
Gratitude
Being grateful has the power to shift our focus on the things that truly matter. Maybe 2026 is the year you decide to celebrate more wins and acknowledge the progress you’ve made in a specific area of your business.
Gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring issues or putting off hard decisions. Instead, it creates perspective and a positive attitude that is ready to face even the toughest situations. And the beauty of gratitude is that it’s easy to spread across your team and even your community.
Whether or not you choose a word for this year, here’s hoping these words above inspire you to lead your business with a renewed intentionality and passion in 2026.
