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During this holiday season, with friends and family, our conversations have often been about looking forward to a new year of openings; of travel, business, minds, and hearts. It is a collective feeling of rebirth and moving upward and outward.

One of my friends asked what our word is for the new year. It was a thoughtful conversation requiring us to compact our hopes and goals into a single word that we can take forward. My word was TRUE. For me this year is about digging in and sticking close to my deepest desires; trucking forward all the while accepting current reality. What is being true to myself? There are so many people asking that same question these days. It feels like a shift in the universe. The word will be in my vision and used as a reminder to keep the focus throughout the year.

To take it to the next level, I ask you to think of how symbols and colors affect you. Cultures have built strong relationships with symbols, like the Tiger, which is known as the king of beasts in China, relating to strength and braveness. And culturally, colors have meaning. Again, in China, red equals luck.

Most of us have a favorite color and a favorite animal, but in business branding, it is important to choose symbols and colors wisely because we are seeking to evoke a particular set of emotions from our potential clients. Color psychology is based upon industry, culture, and company values. It would not be wise for a massage therapist to choose the symbol of a scorpion for obvious reasons.

But when choosing your personal color and symbol (animal or other) for this exercise, I suggest that you throw out the cultural and industry standards. Go back in your memory and find what brings you joy and will continue to remind you of your focal point for the year. The massage therapist may choose a scorpion symbol because it reminds her of her grandfather in Mexico who showed his power through sacrifice and relentless determination. Her color may be red (an unusual color for a massage logo). For this person, red relates to the fire under her butt she wants to light for the new year.

Figure out how you can solidify your personal symbol, word, and color choice for the new year. A mood board, doodle on a sticky note, a letter to yourself, meditating with them in your vision; these are ways to help keep your ‘true’ self front of mind.

I would love to see what your symbols are. Post it below in words and images, and keep me posted throughout the year with your story.

Thanks to Suzanne Goddyn for the word of the year question. You are always an inspiration. I am so fortunate to have you in my life.

Here is a fun article about colors and luck.
https://lnkd.in/gBicnVGC

#culture #people #inspired #colorpsychology #symbollogo