How are you doing with your new year goals, so far? While some of you have focused on bettering your  health – especially with exercise or improved diet – others of you are getting organized or letting go of past grudges. Maybe you’ve even considered a new career path or simply bettering your current position professionally. The truth is, it’s tough to self analyze and come-up with attainable goals every year. So, this year, we did it for you.

1. Explore new perspectives, advance your education

Therapy is an incredibly diverse field that’s rich with case studies, differing viewpoints, and the latest techniques. As you know, there’s always something new to learn. This year, don’t just spend time continuing your education. Instead, engage in new dialogues, join new groups, or even take a course studying a perspective you’re not fully aligned with. Perhaps you can do your own research and build a 2019 reading list challenge for yourself. At minimum, attend a conference or workshop near you. Use 2019 as your year to grow.

2. Start practicing what you preach

No matter what type of therapy you practice, you’re intervening in a patients life to help them heal, overcome, and progress forward. What do you need to overcome? What’s standing in your way of being more healthy, more clear-headed, or just more? This year, practice what you preach. When you suggest a new type of exercise, try it yourself. If you’re recommending a plant-based diet, give it a go for a month. If you’re advocating for a new option for stress relief, check it out on your own. Don’t just help your patients, help yourself.

 3. Network more 

As a traveling therapist, there’s an everlasting drive to explore. Sometimes, the adventurer in you can take priority over your professional growth. Don’t miss the opportunities locally and online to rub shoulders with other professionals in your field. According to the Career Addict, not only can you help up-and-coming professionals through mentoring, but you’ll open doors for yourself whether it’s a move-up, a move geographically, a move into becoming more of an “influencer” in your field through speaking events or writing opportunities. If for no other reason, life as a traveling therapist isn’t all roses so, you can benefit from the positive reinforcement of being with others just like you.

4. Get outside of your comfort zone

Yes, travel therapy is for those with a case of wanderlust, but you may have found yourself slipping into activities or living in areas inside your “comfort zone.” It’s time to challenge yourself and grow a little bit. Start by reevaluating where you’ve traveled over the last few months. If you’ve ended up on the east coast for most of your career in travel therapy, head to California for an assignment. It’s a new culture with a new environment and certainly, a new world of adventure waiting for you. If you’ve stayed in the continental U.S., check out the job opportunities in Hawaii or even Alaska.

No matter what year it is, your end goal should be to grow as a traveling therapist. We hope these resolutions will help you throughout the year to increase your chances for sustainable professional and personal growth.