A new year usually signals fresh beginnings. The euphoria is high, energy renewed, and there’s that unmistakable breath of fresh air.
People are often thrown into a reflective mood on their past year with anticipation and preparation towards making the most of the new year. Growing up in Nigeria, this time of year was filled with religious activities, thanking God for the past year, and making bold proclamations for the new one.
Then, of course, comes the slogans: “New year, new me!”
The resolutions would roll in:this year, I will lose weight, pray more, read self-help books, pass exams, communicate better, etc.
But the concept of intentional goal setting was foreign to me back then. Most goals revolved around academics: pass exams, get into that competitive program, or land the dream university course.
Fast forward to last year, I had an eye-opening conversation with my mentor during a podcast recording. We talked about how doctors often don’t actively set goals outside their career and other professional achievements. At first, I wasn’t sure of where I stood, but as we delved deeper, she started to offer insights as to how most of our career paths are preset—medical school, internship, residency, membership exams, consultancy, and so on.
But where’s the space for other aspects of life? Health goals, relationships, social impact, legacy, and family? These are what make life holistic and fulfilling, but they often take a back seat.
In recent years, I’ve been privileged to attend a yearly power-packed goal-setting retreat with an incredible group of women. Using the SMARTER framework, we focus not only on career goals but on those other critical areas that enrich our lives.
Why am I sharing this?
I am sharing this because I believe it’s essential to inspire a shift in perspective about goal setting, particularly among professionals like doctors who may have traditionally focused narrowly on career-related achievements.
What’s one area of your life you want to be more intentional about in 2025? Career, health, relationships, or something else entirely? Let’s inspire each other. Drop your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear your perspective.”
HAPPY NEW YEAR, FRIENDS! 🎊
