What's Holding You Back?

“Holding on is believing that there's only a past; letting go is knowing that there's a future.”
―Daphne Rose Kingma 

Are you familiar with the concept of choosing a Word Of The Year? 

Have you chosen a Word Of The Year?

You may be wondering: “What’s up with Hersh? Why in the world is he talking about picking a Word Of The Year? It’s not January!”

If I’m being honest, choosing a Word Of The Year is a relatively new concept for me. In 2024, I picked PAUSE. And, if I’m really being honest, I didn’t do a great job of living into my Word Of The Year in 2024.

I picked PAUSE because I felt my life speeding up in ways that didn't always feel right. I found myself rushing to decisions for the sake of getting them done without fully contemplating the impact. I was so focused on opportunities (or the risk of losing them) that I wasn't fully weighing the consequences. I wanted to slow down, take stock, and figure out what I really wanted.

2024 ended up being one of my busiest years ever. Rather than slowing down, I was moving at lightening speed. Even though I didn't slow down, I made a conscious effort to weigh every decision against my Word Of The Year   PAUSE   to ensure that my actions aligned with my overall goals. It wasn't about stopping completely but about creating moments of clarity within the chaos, giving myself space to reflect before moving forward. In the midst of the busyness,  PAUSE became a guidepost, helping me stay intentional even when life felt relentless. 

So, what exactly is a Word Of The Year? It is a single word that can guide your actions and mindset throughout the year. Many people set resolutions in the New Year that fade away or get lost by February. Rather than a resolution, a Word Of The Year gives us a foundation for how we want to make decisions throughout the year. It’s a word that can guide our actions and mindset.

That's the difference between a Word Of The Year and a New Year’s Resolution. A Word Of The Year is intended to guide you, not be an actual decision. It’s more like a compass, gently pointing you in the right direction. It’s there to inspire and guide you, giving you room to grow and adapt as life unfolds without the pressure of sticking to one rigid plan. It isn’t there to judge you. It’s there to help you stay intentional when the day-to-day decisions threaten to upend your focus and pull you off course. It’s a quiet reminder of what truly matters, allowing you to realign with your values and goals, no matter what life throws your way.

What word did I choose for 2025?

Not so fast! 

Let's begin by discussing how to choose a Word Of The Year. Here are some steps to guide you:

1. Think about the previous year. 

• What served you? 
• What didn’t? 
• What do you want more of in your life?
• What can you let go of?

2. Think about the year ahead.

•  What are some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead?
• Are you anticipating a significant transition?
• How do you want to feel?
• How do you want to show up?

3. Brain dump

• Write down every word that aligns with the life you are trying to create.

4. Narrow Down The List 

• Decide on your top 3-5 words, then try them on.
• Which word best aligns with the values and intentions you are trying to create?
• Which word excites or motivates you the most?  

5. Commit To Your Word

• Let this word be your mantra. Your compass. Embrace it fully. Lean into your choice and let it guide your thoughts, decisions, and actions for the year.

So, what did I choose for 2025?

RELEASE

I debated several words for 2025. With so many changes on the horizon—navigating my medical career, entering my late 40s, watching my children grow, and diving deeper into the opportunities and excitement of physician coaching—I found myself grappling with the weight of expectations about what I should or shouldn’t be doing. That’s when the word RELEASE emerged and rose to the top of the heap. It was both a call and a permission to let go of the unnecessary and make space for what truly matters. 

Release is about letting go of the things that no longer serve me. It’s about abandoning the clutter (both physical and emotional) that weighs me down and creates unnecessary stress. It’s about freeing myself from old habits, fears, or expectations that hold me back, making space for growth, clarity, and new opportunities. It’s about letting go of past hurts, regrets, and limiting beliefs. It’s also about releasing control over the things I cannot change. It symbolizes a readiness to welcome what’s next.

I may not get it 100% right, but I know that as long as I keep coming back to my Word Of The Year, I will stay aligned with what really matters. It's not about being perfect. It's about embracing the readiness to welcome what’s next.

What word will guide you in 2025? Take a moment to reflect, visualize, and create your own. What does this word mean to you? How do you plan to let it inspire you?

Here’s to a year of living deliberately—one word at a time!

Feeling stuck and trying to figure out “What’s Next?” I invite you to download my FREE GUIDE: The 5 Essential Steps Every Physician Needs To Figure Out “What’s Next?”

This resource offers practical, actionable steps to help you take back control of your career, set clear goals, and make consistent progress toward the life you genuinely want.

PS.  I get a lot of inspiration from music lyrics.  Many people use inspiring quotes (and I do, too), but music really speaks to me.  I hope you find inspiration in the songs, too.

Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

 Click here for the lyrics.