EDG2609. Your Year, Your Word: A Practical Framework for Reflective Goal-Setting

This session explores a deeply human and refreshingly personal approach to goal-setting—one that begins with who you are, not just what you want to accomplish. Instead of the traditional SMART goals or productivity hacks, Emma Ball shares how choosing a single word to guide her year has shaped her development as a leader, mother, and creative professional. Through storytelling and gentle structure, attendees will learn to reflect on their own personal and professional seasons, identify what they want more of, and create a growth goal that resonates on a deeper level. This session is especially relevant for emerging leaders or values-driven professionals who want to show up more fully and intentionally in their work without sacrificing their humanity. Key takeaways: How to use seasonal reflection to track personal growth A practical, repeatable method for choosing a “word of the year” that aligns with your current chapter. How self-awareness and emotional intelligence support confident, grounded leadership. How to stay connected to your theme throughout the year using rituals, playlists, or journaling. This session is heartfelt, engaging, and rooted in real life. It meets attendees where they are—mid-growth, mid-shift, or mid-struggle—and offers a powerful, doable way to re-center and move forward with purpose.