Make 2011 successful

With the holidays in the rear view mirror and January well underway, like many people do around this time of year, I've been reflecting on the past 12 months and putting the finishing touches on my plans and goals for 2011. Thinking about how to keep my own business successful next year and how to best support NATHO in my role as the organization's president are, as you might expect, both front and center for me as I ponder and plan for this new year. I find this time of year invigorating and ripe for success and creativity.

What about you? What's on your mind in terms of having a successful 2011? What's your personal definition of success? For most of us, one mark of success is having enough money to be comfortable, but others define success more broadly and in terms that transcend dollars and cents. Doing a good job, contributing to others, meaningful relationships with friends and family, maintaining balance between career and personal life, good health, ongoing learning, having time for hobbies — any or all of these may factor into your definition of success.

 

I've worked with thousands of traveling healthcare professionals over the years, and here's what I've noticed about the ones who are highly successful.

 

They are consummate professionals. They take what they do — caring for patients — very seriously. Continuing education and upgrading skills are high priorities for them. They keep their commitments, they have integrity, and they're honest and hardworking. They stand up for themselves and for their patients and, at the same time, understand that working as part of a team is critical to quality care. They're dedicated to being the best they can be.

 

They're clear about what they want. The happiest travelers know what to say yes to and when to say no. They've examined their priorities and they stick to doing what's most important to them. With this degree of clarity comes the ability to readily accept assignments that are a good fit — and confidently decline those that are not.

 

They are highly organized. Being a successful traveler means staying on top of the little issues so that they don't become big problems. Keeping licenses and certifications up-to-date, maintaining meticulous work records, not letting e-mails and phone calls to return stack up, and understanding the value of adhering to a schedule are all common traits among travelers who thrive.

 

They value work/life balance. Being dedicated to one's career is important, without a doubt. But all work and no play, well . . . you've heard that one. Healthcare professionals who travel for a living know that to avoid career burnout, they must continually strive to balance work with the rest of what life has to offer.

 

They are smart about money. Travelers have the potential to earn above average incomes. The ones who are successful in their careers and personal lives manage their money wisely by keeping consumer debt to a minimum, paying bills in a timely manner, staying on top of taxes, understanding at least the basics of investing, and planning for retirement sooner rather than later.

 

They're serious about their own health and well-being. Working in healthcare, nurses and other professionals get to see up close and personal the consequences of not leading a healthy lifestyle. Successful travelers take care of themselves by making time to exercise regularly (even though that can be a challenge when you're in a new town every few months), eating well, and managing the stress that is an inherent risk of working in busy medical settings.

 

Those are my observations about what makes travelers successful. You probably can add to my list based on your own experiences and those of your colleagues. I encourage you to take some time as 2011 begins to unfold to think deeply about what's important to you, what will make you happy in the coming months, and what success looks like for you. On behalf of NATHO, I'd like to wish you a very happy new year.

 

Mark Stagen is the founder and president of the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (info@natho.org)