One Word That Will Change Your Life
In One Word That Will Change Your Life, Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, and Jimmy Page present a simple alternative to traditional New Year’s resolutions. They challenge the reader to choose one intentional word to guide decisions, priorities, and behavior. The central message is that lasting change comes not from doing more, but from living with intention; one carefully chosen word anchors that intention throughout the year.
The reader is encouraged to reflect on three areas—relationships, physical health, and professional life—to identify a word that represents what they aspire to or need most in the coming year. Once chosen, your word becomes a filter for daily choices, helping you align your actions with your values. Much more powerful than the hype of a New Year’s resolution that often only provides short-lived motivation!
The book is a quick read with personal stories and practical exercises that will help you find your one word. And, examples from individuals, families, schools, and organizations, illustrate how the One Word approach has strengthened focus, improved accountability, and fostered meaningful growth for countless individuals.
One Word for LifeBridge Partnership in 2026
As with most organizations, we have a 3-year strategic plan with an overarching theme of increasing our impact. The plan outlines strategic priorities that include increasing mission impact, creating a culture of commitment and building capacity for greater impact. With strategic goals aligned to these priorities, each year we create a detailed action plan to take us closer to achieving the plan.
Some may liken those annual action plans to New Year’s resolutions. While we have not, as an organization, followed the process to find our one word, I believe there is a single word that helps us create clarity, purpose, and consistency as we work through our action plan: Belonging
Belonging is at the heart of everything we do. It reflects our commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities are not just present in their communities, but feel truly connected, known, and valued. Belonging can serve as a lens through which we plan events, evaluate programs, guide staffing decisions, build relationships with supporters and deepen partnerships within the community.
Belonging in Our Programs
In 2026, we will continue to design and deliver community-based recreational experiences that inspire participation, choice, and joy. Belonging means creating environments where individuals feel comfortable being themselves, taking risks, and building friendships, because they know they matter.
Belonging in Our Team Culture
Our staff bring creativity, compassion, and dedication to their work every day. In 2026, promoting belonging will guide how we support professional growth and workplace culture. We want staff to feel trusted and heard, empowered to maximize their strengths, and encouraged to grow. When our team feels a sense of belonging, that energy carries into the experiences they create for participants.
Belonging in the Community
LifeBridge does not do this work alone. We rely on community partners, local businesses, volunteers, and donors who share our belief that everyone deserves a meaningful community life and social well-being. In the year ahead, we will work to strengthen these relationships with the broader community.
My hope is that through the lens of belonging we will make thoughtful decisions, stay aligned with our mission, and remain grounded when challenges arise. As we step into 2026, we invite you—participants, families, staff, volunteers, and supporters—to reflect on what belonging means to you and how you help create it every day. Visit https://www.lifebridgestl.org to learn more.
Karen Schuster, CEO