Opinion | Norton: The ‘got-to’ word of the day
There’s no shortage of apps offering a “word of the day.” Some help expand our vocabulary. Others give us a motivational nudge to start or end our day on the right note.
But beyond curated words from an app, each of us carries our own set of “go-to” words, those that anchor us in our values and shape how we show up in the world. And for many of us, there’s also the Word of God, available daily with just a tap, offering guidance that runs deeper than any notification.
So here’s a thought: while we consider the words we want more of in our lives, it might also be worth noticing the ones we should retire, or at least use a little less often.
To get the “word party” started, I’ll share seven of my own go-to words. Maybe they’ll spark a few ideas of your own: faith, love, hope, trust, service, gratitude and generosity.
Faith
Faith is foundational for me; it’s what grounds everything else. It’s the ability to believe in what we can’t see just as much, if not more, than what we can. My faith is deeply personal and rooted in my relationship with Jesus Christ. Prayer keeps that relationship active and real, connecting me daily to God and to the people I lift up in prayer. For me, faith isn’t just one word on the list; it’s the cornerstone of the other six.
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Love
Love, real unconditional love, flows from faith. We love because we are loved. That simple truth changes how we lead, serve and relate to others. I start each day with a commitment: “I will lead with love today.” It’s a small sentence with big implications. When we lead with love, words like hate quietly exit the conversation, and grace and forgiveness tend to show up right when they’re needed most.
Hope
Hope has always been a powerful word for me. At its core, hope and fear are surprisingly similar; they both involve believing something about the future. The difference is choice. When we choose hope over fear, our perspective shifts from scarcity to abundance. And that shift changes everything, from how we think to how we act.
Trust
Trust is powerful and fragile. It takes time to build and seconds to damage. But when it’s present, it strengthens relationships and clarifies decisions. When we’re grounded in faith, centered in love and guided by hope, trust becomes easier to extend and easier to discern. We begin to understand not just who to trust, but when. And as that clarity grows, skepticism loosens its grip, making room for a more fulfilling way to live and work.
Service
We’re called to serve. Whether through our work, our relationships, or our communities, a servant’s heart positions us to make a real difference. Interestingly, some of the happiest, healthiest people I know are those who continue serving long after they “don’t have to,” through part-time work, mentoring or volunteering. They’ve traded self-serving for others-focused, and it shows.
Gratitude
Gratitude is a game-changer. When we pause to count our blessings instead of our problems, the math almost always works in our favor. Gratitude strengthens our perspective and builds a healthier self-image. The more we internalize it, the more grounded and less stressed we tend to feel. It’s hard to feel empty when you’re genuinely thankful.
Generosity
Generosity naturally follows gratitude. When we recognize how much we have, we’re more inclined to give. And generosity isn’t just financial, it’s about time, attention, encouragement, and presence. The best kind of giving isn’t forced; it’s joyful. And here’s the bonus: generosity has a way of coming back around. As the proverb says, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
If you don’t already have your own set of “go-to” words, you’re welcome to borrow mine for a week and see what happens. You might be surprised by how much your mindset and your conversations begin to shift.
And if you find a few words worth keeping, I’d love to hear about it at gotonorton@gmail.com. Because when we intentionally choose the words that guide our thinking and behavior, we don’t just improve our days, we move a little closer to living a better-than-good life.
Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager, and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.
