January is a time of new beginnings. There's no better time than now to review your career goals and determine objectives for the coming year.

"For people who work in allied health, there's really not a perfect time for reflection," said Robin Singleton, a health care executive search consultant based in Atlanta. "However, because January seems to mark a beginning for so many, it lends itself well to mapping out a career path."

Singleton offers the following steps for career advancement: reflection, goal-setting and an action plan. By setting aside some quiet time to review these steps, you can propel your career forward during the next year.

Reflection

Ask yourself the hard questions, pen in hand. What did you enjoy most about your job in the past year? Write down your three most-satisfying accomplishments. Who was most affected by those successes: your peers, patients, supervisors or the institution where you work?

"You must be candid with yourself," Singleton said. "Also, this exercise should be done in writing, because it makes it more real."

Write down the things you don't like about your job as well. If you could change three things about your current job, what would they be?

Can you see the possibility of advancement from your current position and level of contribution at work? If so, what is the next logical step?

What did you learn in health care last year? Where did you learn the most: on the job, at conferences or outside the workplace?

Goal-setting

Look over your written responses to the previous questions. What goals can you set to create more enjoyment in your work life? List things that you can eliminate or control that produce stress.

Identify your strengths, skill sets and relationships with others in your department and throughout your work world. Who can help you reach these goals?

Take stock of where you think — realistically — you'd like to be within the next 12 to 18 months.

What are your goals? Are you interested in managing, doing more interdepartmental work or interacting more with the community?

Action plan

"To make significant changes, you must have a plan," Singleton said. "And the most effective path is creating that plan in writing with manageable steps and a timeline."

Write your goals in a plan that specifically spells out each step, the names of people who can help you and the work you must do to move toward your goal.

For example, if you want to move into management, your 2007 action plan should include professional meetings and/or continuing education classes that will help you.

It should include making time to talk with others who hold similar jobs and networking with others who work in your organization or who hold positions with other institutions.

Break each goal into manageable steps, with dates listed as benchmarks to help you stay on track.

"Periodically evaluate your progress, and be easy on yourself," Singleton said. "Remember that these are your personal goals and that you're crafting a path to advance your career. If you don't meet a deadline or hit a roadblock, don't give up. Make adjustments and move forward.

"In the end, you're much more likely to advance your career by planning and working toward a goal than you are if you never chart a course for success."