Originally shared via email. For early access to UN job search success tips and advice, subscribe to the newsletter here.

Happy 2024!

It took until we'd entered the new year before I completed my Year Compass (a reflection tool I mentioned in my last post). Before I started, I wasn't sure my year would have any particular focus, as my thoughts ran all over the place.

However, a bit of reflection works wonders to help us see patterns, doesn't it? By the time I reached the last page that prompts you for a word of the year, it seemed self-evident:

CREATE

That's my word of the year.

It makes reference to both personal things like hobbies; and at work, it refers particularly to the courses I've had the intention of creating for some time, but have always been distracted from.

This is the year I'll CREATE them. I'm excited!

Did you pick a word of the year? I'm curious to know what it is, but even more curious to know how you keep it front and center as the year goes on? Two things that I do (which work for goals too) are:

• create an image with the word for my phone home screen
• hint at it in some passwords that I type frequently

Email me and let me know if you've got any strategies, tips or tricks that work for you. I'd love to try a couple of more.

And now, here's to all the things we'll explore, experience, and create in 2024!