In last week’s essay, I talked about the importance of aligning my goals with a larger vision of what I want my life to look like now, or in 5–10 years.

In this post, I want to share an example of what this looks like with my own 2018 goals aligned with a series of vision statements.

Here are the statements and goals that I’ll be using to guide my work and life in 2018:

Vision Statement # 1: I am a writer, therefore I write.

My identity as a writer has become stronger over time as I’ve nurtured a consistent writing habit and as I’ve learned more about academic writing and publishing over time. Here are my 2018 writing goals:

  • Draft book # 4 (with co-authors)
  • Complete final production steps for book # 3 and two edited collections
  • Secure contract for book # 5 (proposal submitted Dec 2017)
  • Draft book # 5 (with co-author)
  • Market book # 3 when released
  • Market two edited collections when released
  • Market new book series when launched (I serve as series editor)
  • Gather ideas for book # 6 proposal
  • Continue to write weekly essays for my email newsletter (also posted on The Academic Creative blog)

Vision Statement # 2: I am an academic creative who serves other academics who want to create things.

In 2016, I wrote about how I had started to call myself a creative. That identity has also strengthened over time, especially as I have grown my podcasts and started to create and sell products as part of my side-business. Here are my goals for 2018 regarding what I plan to create:

  • Record additional seasons of the AcademiGig podcast (now Make Your Way) and additional weekly episodes for You’ve Got This, Research in Action & The Anatomy of a Book podcasts
  • Transition ht:a webinar content from 2017 into mini-courses to release in 2018
  • Complete ht:a webinar series year one
  • Launch ht:a webinar series year two
  • Build the companion website for book # 3
  • Build the companion website for new book series
  • Design and create content for a second online course (topic TBD)
  • Be a supportive presence for my co-authors and for the authors writing for the series I’m editing

Vision Statement # 3: I am an entrepreneur who does business on my own terms

Growing my side business over the past year has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to do business on my own terms, so my entrepreneurial goals for 2018 reflect that:

  • Quit Facebook
  • Surpass the 2017 revenue for my side business
  • Have in-person speaking engagements represent less than 50% of 2018 revenue
  • Launch new virtual summer writing groups program (sign up to learn more here if you’re interested in being notified when registration launches)
  • Create a marketing strategy for webinar and speaking offerings
  • Launch revised marketing for website design offerings
  • Increase number of website design clients from 2017
  • Continue to engage and form community on social media and online platforms of my choice (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Mighty Networks)

Vision Statement # 4: I am a coach who serves academics and higher education professionals looking to design their ideal lives.

Starting in fall 2017, I’ve been pursuing a coaching credential, but I’ve identified as a coach for years. In 2018, I’m excited to grow and expand my coaching practice through the following goals:

  • Complete first phase of coaching training
  • Apply for and complete second phase of coaching training
  • Log 100 hours of coaching
  • Apply for coaching certification through ICF
  • Launch revised marketing for my coaching offerings
  • Increase number of coaching clients from 2017

Vision Statement # 5: I am committed to my physical, mental, and emotional health.

Over the past several months, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to prepare myself to write and create things for the long term. Although I like nothing more than sitting at my desk for hours at a time, I also need to be taking time to care for my body and my mind. Here are my 2018 goals related to physical, mental, and emotional health:

  • Continue working with personal trainer on building back and core strength
  • Daily workouts (even if short)
  • Schedule regular solitude (at least one day per month)
  • Average 10k steps per day and 7.5+ hours of sleep per night each week
  • Minimum 64 oz of water and eat a salad or drink a green smoothie daily
  • Read something for pleasure at least once per month

I’ve got a lot on my plate for 2018, but I’m so excited to see what the year will hold. I’d also love to hear about your 2018 plans! Let me know what you’re most looking forward to in the coming year and the things you’re planning to accomplish.

To think on: 

  • What are your vision statements for 2018?
  • What goals align with your vision statements?