NAfME BLOG
The Treasure Hunt: Discovering Your One Word for the New Year
The Treasure Hunt
Discovering Your One Word for the New Year
By Rachel Clancy and NAfME Member Lori Schwartz Reichl
“Life is a treasure hunt. We are all searching for something that will make life worth living.”— In 1936 “The Sunderland Echo” of Durham, England, published a sermon with the title “Life Is a Treasure Hunt”
The Treasure Hunt
Can you already feel the pressure to have a plan for the next calendar year? The push to do more, be better, or achieve something new? It’s early December, and yet for many of us, it might not be until June—or even later—that we truly process everything the year now ending brought us. Even if you never quite find time to reflect on the past year, what if you began the new year with a simple, yet powerful, focus on just One Word?
This practice, which has gained traction over the years, is deceptively simple. There’s no complicated process, rigid objective, or pressure to measure your progress. It’s about staying open-minded, being present, and allowing your chosen word to guide you through the year. Think of it as a year-long treasure hunt, where your list of clues is made up of just One Word. Pay attention, stay curious, and watch for it as it shows up in unexpected ways.
There are no rules for choosing your One Word. You can pick one that helps you process life with a clearer filter or one that offers clarity in moments of pressure. Perhaps you’ll choose a word that serves as a reminder or embodies a value you want to embrace more fully. It could even act like a compass, gently reorienting you when things feel off course. And just like a treasure hunt, you may not always recognize the significance of your word right away. Sometimes, you’ll only realize the “key changes” it inspired after you’ve made them.
Photo by Jordan Madrid on Unsplash
Rachel’s Word
I’ve been intentional about this practice for nearly a decade. A few years in, I shared my experience with Lori, a friend since childhood. Because she encourages people to embrace change, I expected she would appreciate the process. Now, each year, we talk about our words and compare notes on how the practice is working for each of us.
I’m continually fascinated by what my word helps me see. Often, the way I view a word at the start of the year evolves as the months go on. Over the past few years, I’ve focused on words like STORY, COLOR, WHISPER, FEAR, and WONDER. My journals are full of images where I noticed my One Word and writings about the moments when it revealed something important about me or my life at that time.
In 2025, I embraced the word BOLD. It pushed me to take big steps in both my personal and professional life, some of which were unexpected. I was planning on getting a tattoo, but the word BOLD nudged me toward some other BOLD decisions. Instead of ink, I got two kittens in May. That was BOLD—but it wasn’t quite what I envisioned at the start of the year. No tattoos yet!
But here’s the beauty of the One Word practice: It’s not confined to a single year. The lessons I learned from BOLD in 2025 don’t just disappear when the year ends. I can carry them forward into 2026, a year that will be guided by the word REPAIR.
When I first encountered REPAIR, I felt an instant connection. I thought about all the ways it might manifest for me—both literally and metaphorically. My house is five years old, and 2026 will likely be the year I take on some much-needed repairs and improvements. But REPAIR will likely go beyond just my home. After years of neglecting my health, especially my sleep, I know REPAIR will also mean taking better care of my body. And I can already anticipate that REPAIR will involve my relationships, too. Sometimes, the people we love most need mending, and I’m ready for that challenge.
What excites me most is that 2026 feels wide open. There’s so much potential for growth, change, and unexpected discoveries. REPAIR isn’t a word I’m forcing—it’s a word that resonates with me, calling me to take action and make space for transformation.
Lori’s Word
I’m Lori—Rachel’s friend since we met in fifth-grade band when we were nine years old. We’ve shared nearly 40 years of friendship, navigating the ups and downs of life: marriage, children, divorce, illness, career changes—but perhaps most importantly, growth. Our friendship has been a constant source of strength, and we’ve cheered each other on through the good times and bad. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and, most of all, grown together. Even after all these years, we continue to challenge and motivate each other.
Through Rachel, I’ve learned three powerful lessons: trust, dignity, and hope. Rachel also introduced me to the One Word practice a few years ago, and I’ve embraced it ever since. In the past, my words have been NOW, OWN, and CONSISTENT. Some years, the word felt like it fit perfectly from the start. Other years, the word evolved or took time to fully resonate. I’ve learned that my One Word may not always feel monumental at first, but over time, it becomes more meaningful.
This year, Rachel gave me a bit of a challenge: to pick my 2026 One Word two months in advance. Normally, I like to let the year unfold and guide me to my word, but this time I decided to be proactive with her encouragement. As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the word HOPE—my theme for the coming year.
Why HOPE? Because that’s what the One Word process does for me. It offers HOPE for what’s to come. HOPE is a feeling of expectation and desire for something specific to happen. It’s not about wishful thinking or vague aspirations. Instead, it’s about trust in the journey and belief that my efforts will lead to meaningful outcomes. In many areas of my life, I’ve done the work—whether it’s in my career, relationships, or personal growth—and now, I am hopeful that these decisions I’ve made, rooted in faith, will lead me to places of manifestation.
I may not know where HOPE will lead me in the coming year, but I’m eager to discover the treasures buried within its path. What I do know is that HOPE ignites action, and that spark will guide me through every day of 2026. I HOPE it does the same for you, too!
The Treasure Hunt Continues
As we prepare to enter into 2026, the One Word practice invites us to approach the year with a sense of curiosity and openness. Whether your One Word finds you quickly or takes its time, this practice offers a simple, profound way to stay present and intentional as you move through the months ahead. It’s less about accomplishing something grand and more about paying attention to the moments that matter—the small shifts, the subtle “key changes,” the discoveries that happen when you stay open to the possibilities.
Photo by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash
For me (Rachel), as I continue my treasure hunt in 2026, I know that REPAIR will reveal itself in unexpected places—hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. For me (Lori), HOPE will be the compass that fuels my journey forward. And for you, whatever word you choose can become your own map—guiding you toward new insights, growth, and opportunities.
So, as you consider your own One Word for 2026, take a moment to reflect on what might resonate with you. What do you need? What does the year ahead hold for you? The treasure is already out there, waiting to be found. It’s yours for the taking. Happy hunting!
MAKING KEY CHANGES Resources, published by Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl, as referenced in this article:
- Article: A Word to the Wise: Selecting One Word As Motivation for the New Year
- Podcast Episode: A Word to the Wise
- Article: Don’t Wish for It, Work for It
- Podcast Episode: Don’t Wish for It, Work for It
- Article: Make Decisions Out of Faith, Not Fear
- Podcast Episode: Make Decisions Out of Faith, Not Fear
- Podcast Episode: Look Back with Clarity So You Can Move Forward with Confidence
Photo at top by Ashin K Suresh on Unsplash
About the authors:
Photo by Bethany Sauer Photography
Rachel Clancy is an attorney, writer, and organizational leader who helps people make clear decisions in complex environments. She serves as General Counsel and Director of Administration at Lobar, Inc., where she advises ownership as a member of the executive team and leads initiatives that improve how people work—most recently championing practical, secure uses of AI across the business.
A trusted coach to emerging and mid-career professionals, Rachel writes a monthly leadership piece for her organization and speaks on focus, follow-through, and purposeful perseverance. Her approach is candid and calm: Simplify the noise, name what matters, and build habits that hold under pressure.
Rachel is especially passionate about supporting women who balance high standards with high demands. Off the clock, she’s a soccer player, avid reader, and mom who believes small, consistent changes compound into meaningful growth.
Rachel lives in Pennsylvania with her two teenage daughters.
Photo by Richard Twigg Photography
Dr. Lori Schwartz Reichl is the visionary leader behind MAKING KEY CHANGES, LLC, a consultancy dedicated to mentorship and motivation. She also founded The Confidence Camp for Kids and The Confidence Retreat for Adults—experiences that empower youth and adults to grow as confident, compassionate leaders.
An accomplished author, educator, podcaster, and former public school band director, Lori focuses her work on transformation through leadership and human connection.
Today, she leads a global classroom—guiding organizations and teams to unlock their potential, strengthen their people, and make key changes that help them grow alongside those they love, serve, and lead.
A sought-after speaker and consultant, Lori has delivered hundreds of workshops and keynote addresses worldwide. Her dynamic programs inspire audiences to align around a shared vision, boost confidence, overcome burnout, promote engagement, and embrace change as a catalyst for growth.
Lori hosts the MAKING KEY CHANGES podcast and produces its companion newsletter, sharing weekly, actionable insights to inspire continuous learning and leadership.
Lori lives in Maryland with her husband and their two active children.
Learn more at MakingKeyChanges.com.
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