Setting Goals for the New Year

1. Keep finances in order*. Since tax season is looming around the corner, now would be the best time to start organizing. Keep deadlines on your calendar, especially April 18th, which is Tax Day. If you are a freelancer, begin to organize those 1099s, contracts, and W2s ready. 
   
   Look over your bank accounts. Have you recently transferred your new business to LLC? Look into opening another business account or a savings account. Do you have a 401k? An IRA? Roth or Traditional? Make sure you also have the paper trail (or digital trail) to match and get that portfolio in order.
   
   

2. Gain a new skillset. As a writer, sharpening your skills and learning new ones are essential. Check out CE credits you need, and plan to knock those out as soon as you can or make time for them before you get too busy. 

Certifications, such as the Essential Skills from AMWA, or an entire course from the University of Chicago, will help entry level writers gain new skills. For medical writers who have been in the field for a while, these courses sharpen and review skills they gained from experience.  Microsoft Office  comes out with new versions every year, so make sure you're up to date with WORD, PowerPoint, and also SharePoint. 

Check out other programs to be board certified in Medical Writing, which you can also register at the AMWA website. If you want to branch out into another field, try also looking into Medical Affairs.

3. Work smarter, not harder. Are your references up-to-date? Sign up for EndNote, up-to-date, etc. and generally keep references around 10 years or less unless it's for an introduction. Have a great planner, but keep it simple. I know it's nice to see YouTube videos or Etsy pages with all the fancy planners and stickers, but all you really need is a simple planner to help you get organized.
   
   

4. Invest in yourself. It's more than okay to splurge on yourself every now and then, especially if it's going back into your business. Need a new profile photo? Book a session with a good photographer. Remember, branding is important for business, especially for a freelancer. Having a good profile picture for your LinkedIn, business cards, or webpage will help boost your brand. Make sure your website and portfolio are up to date, readable and professional. 

If you are new in the business and don't know where to start, investing in a coach can help save time and lead you on the right path when applying for a professional entry-level job in the field. If you have been out of the workforce and have not updated your resume/CV, investing on a resume writer or hiring a resume reviewer helps you stand out among other job seekers. Remember, there are many applications that go through the hiring process, so it would be best to polish up your resume. 

While these do get expensive, keep in mind that the best investment you can make is on yourself.

And with that in mind....

5. Have a Work-Life Balance. This goes hand-in-hand with investing on yourself. Make sure to also take time for yourself to smell the roses. This can get difficult, and I'm guilty of breaking this goal myself. Sometimes work piles up, and I spend more hours on a screen where I could have gotten more hours in the gym or getting enough sleep. I have to keep in mind that Health is Wealth. 

And with that in mind - Remember, having a healthy balance of these goals can make your work smoother and life much more enjoyable. 

What other goals do you have for the new year?