As you head into the New Year I am sure you will have thought about what you want to achieve for 2022.

I’ve just spent the last couple of days doing this… 

So I am super clear about what I want to achieve and how I am going to do it.

Maybe you have already set yourself some goals.

But be ready for disappointment, because…

The majority of therapists won’t achieve these goals.

In fact, most therapists will get nowhere near them.

Without fail, every year I see a massive increase in the number of New Grad’s reaching out for help and support in January. 

Once a few weeks have passed, you quickly realise despite all your early year motivation and enthusiasm to make this year a big one…

You have not made much progress. 

It’s the same old goals I hear, new grads make, things like…

‘I’m going to read 3 journal articles every week’

‘I’m going to block out 3 hours a week for dedicated learning and CPD’

‘This year I am going to transition from the NHS into private practice…

Or get into sport’

‘This time next year I will have been promoted to [insert better job]…

I’ll be working better hours…

and I’ll be earning more [X amount more £££]’

For most, that added enthusiasm and motivation for success ends by the end of January.

Like those people that join a gym or start eating better… 

Those that try to watch less tv or get up earlier…

You start off with all the best intentions, but it only last a few weeks.

Motivation and enthusiasm will only get you so far. 

Especially if you have the wrong plan.

Just as a patient stops doing their home rehab exercises if they feel they are not making progress…

You do exactly the same when you feel like you are making no progress.

Maybe you said you would read a few journals a week.

So you start reading them…

You take in some new knowledge… 

But you don’t feel like you are using the information you have learnt and can’t put it into practice.

The result…

…you forget what you have read and ultimately as you feel it is NOT improving your day-day practice…

You stop doing it.

And why wouldn’t you.

This is human nature.

You feel like you are wasting your time (and in many respects you are), so you stop.

As I write this email in my office at home, I have 3 goals written on my whiteboard in front of me.

I know exactly where I want to be in 12 months-time.

Everything I do in 2022 will be helping me towards achieving those 3 goals.

One relates to my clinics.

One relates to my New Grad Physio Membership.

One relates to my consultancy work in sport.

Every time I sit down at my desk I’ll see these 3 goals as a reminder as to where I am heading.

To achieve anything this year you need to be clear on what you want to achieve.

So ask yourself the question…

‘Where Would You Like To Be In 12 Months From Now?’

Where are you working?

What job are you doing?

How much money are you earning?

Once you know where you want to get to you…

You can then start to plan HOW you are going to get there…

And put together your own blueprint for success this year.

You’re probably thinking…

Andy, it’s all well and good setting goals and thinking about where I want to be in 12 months’ time, but I’ve done this before…

I’ve tried and failed….

Or maybe you are a little unsure exactly where you are heading and what your plan should be?

To help you…

Try to break down your big goals into smaller goals that you will hit throughout the year.

I have 3 big yearly goals.

Every month I set myself 3 monthly goals.

Then these are broken down into 3 weekly goals.

Then these are broken down further into 3 daily goals or tasks.

Writing this email post (I’m also making this into a blog and podcast) is one of my daily goals for today.

Whether or not these goals are part of my daily, weekly or monthly plan, they are all helping me work towards my BIG 3 yearly goals.

That’s how you stay on track and keep moving that needle towards your goals.

Those big goals might seem out of reach at the start, but by achieving smaller steps along the way, these big goals are well within your reach.

Much like your career, you are not going to walk out of Uni and be the best physio…

Or go straight into your dream job in private practice, as a Band 7 physio or into that top sports team…

But you do need to make sure that you are heading in the right direction, or like most therapists…

You may never get close to achieving that dream role…

Or be able to help as many patients or athletes in a positive way as you would like.

Key Things to Help…

• Get clear about WHERE you want to be in 12 months-time

• Set BIG goals that will help you achieve this success

• Then break down your these big goals into smaller goals (monthly, weekly and even daily) so you stay on track and give yourself the best opportunity to make 2022 your best year ever

Andy

The New Grad Physio Mentor

PS. Struggling to know if you are on the right track?

If you feel unprepared and feel like you need some help to hit your goals in 2022 then let me know.

Just send me an email with the word ‘2022’ to andy@newgradphysio.com and I’ll get right back to you with some help.