This time of year offers a great opportunity for claims professionals to sit back, reflect on the past 12months, and plan for the year ahead. In the context ofgoal-setting, it is important to take this time to ponder what youwant to do professionally with your claims career in 2012.

Some questions to mull over include:

• Are you happy and satisfied with your current course? If not,then what specific steps will you need to change yourtrajectory?
• If you happen to be on the right course, then whatsteps can you take in 2012 to accelerate your journey and make itmore fun?
• What skills do you need to acquire and hone in 2012?

Remember that goals should be specific, measurable, andtime-bound. For instance, “I plan to pursue continuing claimseducation in 2012” is a lame-oh goal. A better option is “I plan tocomplete two courses by Dec. 31, 2012 that will earn credittoward the AIC designation.”

“Planning to network more” is a weak goal. Instead, considersomething on the order of, “In 2012, I will grow my LinkedIncontacts to 200 members and attend at least three local claimsassociation gatherings.”

The key is to be specific. So, “I plan to get a better job nextyear” could be replaced with an “I will update my resume, locate aheadhunter, and make a specific overture/application for a newclaims position at least once a month in 2012.”

To Share or Not to Share?

Should you keep your goals private or publicize them? There isno one right answer here.

Whether you share the goals with anyone other than yourself, Istrongly recommend putting pen to paper—or fingers to thekeyboard—and reducing to writing measurable goals for 2012, withspecific target dates. No one can tell you what your goals shouldbe. Here is a sampling of possible professional goals for 2012,meant only to spur your own thinking along these lines:

1. “I will find ways to capture a 10-percent savings in myclaims department budget.”

2. “I will schedule monthly lunches with peer-level claimsprofessionals within and outside my company.”

3. “I will conduct an employee satisfaction survey within theclaims department and identify five action items for the year.”

4. “I will organize four in-house continuing education(CE) sessions for the claims staff.”

5. “I will strive to contain the growth in theorganization's overall claims costs by no more than X percent.”

6. “I resolve to write a short article (consisting of 750 to1,000 words) about a claims topic and submit it to an industrynewsletter, publication, ortrade magazine.”

7. “I will heighten my industry visibility by volunteering forone speaking role at a trade show, conference, or claimsseminar.”

8. “I will spend 30 minutes per day to professional reading inclaims, legal developments, coverage, and so on.”

9. “I will identify five work tasks that I currently do that areno longer necessary and will either discontinue or delegatethem.”

10. “I will initiate quarterly informal meetings with my boss togauge my progress on professional goals and to ensure we are on thesame page.”

11. “I will—on my own time—update my resume quarterly and ensurethat I speak with my friendly headhunter at least twice during theyear.”

12. “I will prepare a concise claims management report forthe upper management team and (if appropriate) Board of Directorsquarterly.”

13. “I will conduct a thorough review of outsidelegal/rehab/contractor services to see where we can improve inquality or cost of service.”

14. “I resolve to leave the office by 6:00 p.m. each work day toincrease the time I spend with my family.”

15. “I will successfully complete courses to accrue qualifyingcredits for the AIC, CPCU, SCLA, and so on.”

16. “I will learn to use X software program to enhance workquality or productivity in 2012.”

Okay, I promised 16 examples. Let me toss inanother:

17. I will resolve to read The Claims Coach blog regularlyand faithfully throughout the year!

One final thought: Having goals is a great first step towardsuccess. Just having them, though, is not enough.

Once upon a time, there were three frogs sitting on a lily pad.One of them decided to jump off. How many frogs were left on thelily pad? If you said two, then you are probably likemany of us. The right answer is three. Deciding to jump isnot the same as actually jumping.

Deciding on a goal and writing it down is not the same asworking toward it. Block out time on your schedule—daily, weekly,or monthly—to engage in specific tasks that move you closer towardachieving your 2012 goals. Happy New Year!