Prior installments of the 2026 Goals Series:
WORK for me encompasses both parts of my career: medicine (primarily clinical practice — I don’t have any formal leadership roles anymore, though I still get to work with/teach residents) and writing/creating (everything from this blog to book writing to podcasts to courses to speaking).
Overall I feel like I am in a good place with my work life, with the exception of feeling too time crunched for my creative work projects fairly often. I want to move forward on various initiatives, but I also know I need to pace myself and take things on when they make sense, not just when they sound enticing.
That said, I do have some goals for 2026 — here they are!
GOAL #1: Launch BLPA 2.0!
Best Laid Plans Academy was my first course, ~6 weeks of live meetups to help participants set up their own effective systems at every level. I learned SOOO much from doing it and was so grateful to those that took the plunge on my initial offering!
A lot of the content I taught in that course ended up in the book! SO, material-wise, it’s already done and out there! But some people really crave the interactivity and accountability that a course offers, and I really want to create a 2.0 version that’s even better (and further refined by the lessons I fleshed out in the book).
I am playing with different structures, more asynchronous options, etc as well as timing, but I’m thinking of a fall launch. I’ve gotten a lot of requests to bring this course back and I really want to but I want it to be awesome! (I am not a perfectionist, truly, but also don’t want to rush out a product that I’m not truly proud of and excited about!)
GOAL #2: Figure out my next big writing project.
It might be a book or it might even be a workbook or planner. I need to really think about what I’m most excited to do next. I hope to have opportunities to traditionally publish again, though I am not in a hurry — I want lots of time to think and create my next work even if it means more years between publications.
GOAL #3: Try to trade at least 3 call weekends to break up the 7 days in a row!
So far, I’ve already traded away my April call weekend for one in January, because one of the doctors had something come up! So, that’s 1 for 3 already.
People are loathe to change their schedule proactively BUT things definitely do come up and as long as I’m willing to raise my had and volunteer on relatively short notice, I think I have a decent chance of finding 2 more weekends to swap!
(Bonus to agreeing to swap on shorter notice: less time to worry about it. Honestly, that’s kind of a plus in my book! Obviously this can’t always work, such as if we’re traveling, but often it can.)
GOAL #4: GO TO ANNUAL ENDO CONFERENCE
The last time I completed any formal endocrinology CME was in 2023! I REALLY need to go, both in terms of staying up to date AND for the networking/fun aspect. I always feel more energized about all things clinical after attending these conferences!
The ONNNNNLY hiccup is that the one I plan to go to this year is at the same time as Xcel Gold Regionals in gymnastics. I honestly don’t think it will be an issue (it’s A’s first year in Gold and therefore her chances of making regionals aren’t super high) but she did REALLY well at the last meet, so who knows.
(SO: I am going to identify a backup meeting just in case. If I can’t go to PES, I believe I can make ENDO happen!)
GOAL #5: Pitch to 20 bigger podcasts and see what happens.
(Side note: SOOOOO many AI generated pitches these days, and I can’t stand how they all sound exactly the same and are so fake! I will not be doing this.)
As someone who has opted out of social media, I still need some way of helping people find my stuff (esp the book!) and podcasts I think are my best bet. I think I’m a good speaker and add value to the podcasts I go on — I just need to convince others of that 🙂 But one thing I am not very good about is putting myself out there. I think pitching 20 podcasts in an entire year is doable. If even one ‘bigger’ show says yes, it would be super helpful for the book.
I do think perhaps it’s now the wrong time of year — I should have pitched for January! But the back to school season will be a great window for me to suggest a planning episode, so maybe timing the pitches for May/June would work out. If you can think of a great fit for my work (ie, a show I should approach) feel free to let me know!
All right – there you have it, my big work goals for 2026!
10 Comments
big goals! I love the new writing project.
when and where will be this year’s in person BLP?
Diplomat Hotel in Hollywood FL, Nov 5-7!
LOOOONNNNGGGG time reader, first time commenter (I believe).
Potentially, any of the larger “seasonal change” timelines might work well, depending on the focus of the podcast: family/school-age parent focused? Even ahead of summer break could be helpful for helping parents plan for a summer of fun while managing work and other commitments. Goal setting and planning for success in that challenging time would likely be appreciated support for a lot of families. Back to school, as you mentioned, is definitely another great one. Even Q2 as people’s New Year’s resolutions have calmed down, perhaps “failed”… or people aren’t seeing the success they had hoped in their planning arena, could also be great, on the right podcast. Spring cleaning, i.e. how to approach one of the goal areas you focus on could easily be another.
Sometimes thinking a little outside the box (which I think you typically excel at) can probably help here. Think about smaller areas of your approach, your goal areas, your support offerings, and see where your approach might fit a broader audience at different points in the year. Jan is definitely the timeframe for the whole kahuna, but I think there are some great opportunities for you if you also think about ways to apply your approach to smaller, “leaner” segments. Just my 2 cents!
yay for first time commenter! very good point, and really great ideas to ponder – thank you!!
If you come to SF in April/May maybe we could meet up! I know of LOTS of amazing restaurants in the city… Just saying… 😉
I would totally love that. Will keep you posted . . .
I hope you can attend the Endo conference! How far in advance would you know if A made that gymnastics event? It seems like you’d have to plan a trip fairly close to the event? And just block the time off work even if you don’t go to that conference? I do not do well w/ “up in the air” plans so have second hand anxiety for you. Ha.
My biggest goal at work this year is to limit travel to 2 trips/month. I have always had that as a guideline/goal, but I blow through it so so easily and it’s not good for my family/marriage – at least not until the kids are at easier ages.
My time is already blocked off of work for the conf. I’ll book the San Fran hotel (refundable) and wait until last minute to get the conf tickets etc!
If you do attend the Endo conference AND have some free time, you’d better let me know and I come out to SF.
I would love that!!!!