After much consideration, I have chosen my power word for 2020 and that word is “Restore.” I selected “restore” over a few other shortlisted words including “renew” because I believe that restore requires effort and work. It calls for specific action and requires more accountability than verbal commitments that we might make in the heat of the moment and then quickly abandon when the pressure is off.

There are clearly visible results that come from restoration work.  And there is pride that comes from seeing what you’ve restored.

In fact, I like the word “restore” so much that I started shopping at and donating to Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. I picked up a few great items for a fraction of the price. I love the attitude of the staff at ReStore. They are clearly mission focused.

In order to keep me excited about my power word for 2020, I asked my virtual marketing assistant, Holly Koziol, to create the above superhero comic-strip graphic to inspire me. Perhaps it inspires you, too?  It might become my new screensaver for my laptop. It’s good to keep your power word visible, front and center, all year long.

I invite you to select the word “restore” as your 2020 power word (if you haven’t already selected one). Consider what actions you could take this year in order to:

• restore health and well being
• restore relationships and civility
• restore Democracy, the rule of law, and voting rights
• restore peace and diplomacy
• restore the climate: the environment, our oceans, lakes, air quality, wildlife, our planet
• restore families
• restore community, neighborhoods, neglected parks and playgrounds
• restore workplace culture
• restore justice and equality
• restore roads, bridges, sidewalks, bike paths, infrastructure
• restore clean drinking water
• restore confidence and resilience
• restore civility, honesty, and respectful communication
• restore faith and tolerance
• …and yes, restore cool old stuff like classic cars, antique furniture, old houses, etc.
• WHAT ELSE do you think is worthy of restoring? __________________________________________ (Leave a REPLY on this blog with your answer to this question)

There is so much going on in our world right now. It’s a crazy scary time with lots to be worried about. Don’t fall into a state of complacency or helplessness. Find the power and motivation to do something, to change something, to restore something important to you. Maybe that something lies within you?