#OneWord2026: ‘Appreciate’ Every year, for quite a few years now, I have gone out for lunch with three friends on New Year’s Eve. And at this lunch, we each choose #OneWord which we hope will be resonant in the year th…

My new blog post: #OneWord2026 - 'Appreciate'.

What would you choose?

jillberry102.blog/2026/01/29/o...

One Word for 2026: A Different Way to Start the Year The start of a new year has a funny reputation. It’s supposed to be a reset button. A fresh start. A new era. A moment where you suddenly become more motivated, more organized, more disciplined, an…

While the #OneWord2025 choices leaned toward performance: getting better, pushing harder, staying disciplined, the #OneWord2026 selections lean toward sustainability: staying consistent without burning out, finding meaning, and protecting mental health.
slowchathealth.com/2025/12/31/o...

1. Discipline

(discipline, disciplined, self-discipline, discpline, dicipline)
By far the most chosen word again
Students are craving structure, routines, follow-through, and self-control in a busy, distracting world. Is this an area in which we can best support students?
#OneWord2026

2. Focus

(focus, focused, concentrate, attention)
Is this a direct response to overload, phones, multitasking, and lifes pressures?
#OneWord2026

3. Confidence

(confidence, confident)
Students want belief in themselves socially, academically, athletically, emotionally.
#OneWord2026

4. Consistency

(consistency, consistent)
Up 4 places from #8 last year.
Across both years, students consistently chose words connected to effort and self-management
#OneWord2026

5. Balance

(balance)
School, extra-curriculars, sleep, mental health, expectations. Students are juggling life.
#OneWord2026

6. Motivation

(motivation, motivated)
No change at the #6 spot for this word.
#OneWord2026

7. Perseverance

(perseverance, persevere, persistence, persist, persevere)
This was the 5th most chosen word last year.
#OneWord2026

8. Faith

(faith, faithful)
This year more students chose words connected to belief, meaning, and grounding.
#OneWord2026

9: Growth

(growth, improvement, develop, evolve)
Word choices like this remind us that students want to feel capable, motivated, and good about who they are becoming.
#OneWord2026

10: Joy

(joy, joyful, happiness, happy)
I get the sense that there is a growing awareness of stress and a desire for well-being alongside achievement.
#OneWord2026

One Word for 2026: A Different Way to Start the Year The start of a new year has a funny reputation. It’s supposed to be a reset button. A fresh start. A new era. A moment where you suddenly become more motivated, more organized, more disciplined, an…

My annual #OneWord blog post has proven to be very popular with almost 800 readers sharing their #OneWord2026 selections with me.
slowchathealth.com/2025/12/31/o...
Here are the top 10 words chosen this year.

My One Word for 2026: CREATE.

Create new research.
Create offerings that truly serve through my coaching and consulting work.
Create deeper relationships—personally and professionally.
Create space to prioritize my own health.

#OneWord2026 #CreateWithIntention #LeadershipWithHeart

One word for 2026: CULTIVATE. 🌱

Focusing on being my best self so I can champion the growth of others. Let’s see what this season brings.

#OneWord2026 #TeacherLeader

My #OneWord2026 Intentional

#OneWord2025 Heal
#OneWord2024 Joy
#OneWord2023 Love
#OneWord2022 Listen
#OneWord2021 Strive
#OneWord2020 Open
#OneWord2019 Hope
#OneWord2018 Beauty
#OneWord2017 Grace

A light pink background with the word WITNESS in all caps. Below it are 3 phrases. Be present. Listen for understanding. Carry each story with care. By Ilene Winokur

What is your #oneword2026?

It's looking like my #OneWord2026 will be 'Analog'.
Time to start working on my annual blog post (on paper, of course).