165. Choosing Your Word of the Year: Lean Into Who You're Becoming as a Leader

How one word can help you lean into who you were meant to be....leading to benefits in your business and beyond!

In brand strategy, we often talk about how a brand's essence can be distilled into a single word — the feeling that runs through everything. In this episode, I take that same idea and apply it to you as a leader, with your Word of the Year.

Instead of setting rigid resolutions, I share why choosing a Word of the Year can be a more powerful way to guide your mindset, focus, and everyday decisions — especially when your personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined, as they often are for entrepreneurs.

As an example, I reflect on my Word of the Year from last year, what it helped me reclaim, and how my word for this year builds on that foundation. You'll also hear examples of words others might choose, and a simple way to start thinking about what your word could be — not as a way to "fix" yourself, but to support who you're becoming.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why I don't rely on New Year's resolutions — and what works better for many people
• How a Word of the Year acts as a mini North Star for your decisions
• My Word of the Year last year, and what it helped me clarify
• My Word of the Year this year, and how it will guide how I show up
• Examples of words others might choose — and why there's no "right" one
• A simple starting point to reflect on what you want more (or less) of
• An invitation to share your word with me so I can check in and see how it's going (yes, I really do care!)

If you're looking for a more intentional way to set direction — in business and in life — this episode will give you ideas!

Want to set your WOTY?

Get the free weekly worksheet that goes with each episode by joining the newsletter.

👉 Follow @realfoodbrands on Instagram and tap the link in the bio to sign up for my weekly newsletter.

If you missed a worksheet for a past episode, please send me an email or DM me @realfoodbrands on Instagram.

Looking for clarity on your next steps?

Katie & Clint help food business owners review their strategy, cut through noise, and move forward with a clear plan. Reply to the Weekly Newsletter or use the private scheduling link included each week to book a session.

What's Next?

1. 📧 Katie's Friday Newsletter includes a Weekly Worksheet to help you apply these ideas directly to your food business. Sign up here.

2. 💬 Join the Conversation! Tune in to the podcast, then join us in the Real Food Brands Marketing Round Table - a free food & farm business owner community - to ask questions and meet other people who love producing real food as much as you do!

3. 📞 If you're ready to talk about building a clear, cohesive brand or integrating your brand + sales strategy, you can Request a free Intro Call to discuss the ways we work with food, farm, and natural product brands.

Thanks for listening – let's go shake up shopping carts!

Katie Mleziva

Host & Food Brand Strategist | Real Food Brands