This time of year offers a great opportunity for claims professionals to sit back, reflect on the past 12 months, and plan for the year ahead. In the context of goal-setting, it is important to take this time to ponder what you want 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 your trajectory?
If you happen to be on the right course, then what steps can you take in 2012 to accelerate your journey and make it more fun?
What skills do you need to acquire and hone in 2012?

Remember that goals should be specific, measurable, and time-bound. For instance, “I plan to pursue continuing claims education in 2012” is a lame-oh goal. A better option is “I plan to complete two courses by Dec. 31, 2012 that will earn credit toward the AIC designation.”

“Planning to network more” is a weak goal. Instead, consider something on the order of, “In 2012, I will grow my LinkedIn contacts to 200 members and attend at least three local claims association gatherings.”

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

To Share or Not to Share?

Should you keep your goals private or publicize them? There is no one right answer here.

Whether you share the goals with anyone other than yourself, I strongly recommend putting pen to paper—or fingers to the keyboard—and reducing to writing measurable goals for 2012, with specific target dates. No one can tell you what your goals should be. 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 my claims department budget.”

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

3. “I will conduct an employee satisfaction survey within the claims 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 the organization's overall claims costs by no more than X percent.”

6. “I resolve to write a short article (consisting of 750 to 1,000 words) about a claims topic and submit it to an industry newsletter, publication, or trade magazine.”

7. “I will heighten my industry visibility by volunteering for one speaking role at a trade show, conference, or claims seminar.”

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

9. “I will identify five work tasks that I currently do that are no longer necessary and will either discontinue or delegate them.”

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

11. “I will—on my own time—update my resume quarterly and ensure that I speak with my friendly headhunter at least twice during the year.”

12. “I will prepare a concise claims management report for the upper management team and (if appropriate) Board of Directors quarterly.”

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

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

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

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

Okay, I promised 16 examples. Let me toss in another:

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

One final thought: Having goals is a great first step toward success. 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 the lily pad? If you said two, then you are probably like many of us. The right answer is three. Deciding to jump is not the same as actually jumping.

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

Special Reports /

16 New Year's Resolutions for Claims Professionals

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