Healthcare Marketing Goals -Set Your Annual Goals!

“What?” You might be asking.

“It’s time to set my annual healthcare marketing goals already?”

Yes! I know the year isn’t over yet and you’re still making progress on this year’s goals. But having the next year’s goals in place by the beginning of October gives you time to cement those goals in your subconscious.

I don’t typically recommend a specific way to create your goals…different ways work best for different people. You could produce S.M.A.R.T. goals as discussed by Tony Robbins.  You could build D.U.M.B. goals as discussed by Brendon Burchard. (Seriously, check this out!) The important thing is that you find a goal-setting method that works for you and stick with it. I have a few tips to help you along the way:

• Written. Your healthcare marketing goals must be in writing and kept in a convenient location you can refer to every day. To hold yourself accountable, purchase my $10 Workbook here-> Companion Workbook – a place to plan out your daily, weekly, monthly, and annual goals.

• Concise. Be as specific as possible about what you want to achieve in the coming year.

• Measurable. Your goals must be measurable in order for you to know when you’ve achieved them. You shouldn’t have to guess when a goal is accomplished. You should know with certainty…and celebrate!

• Manageable. Don’t develop so many goals that it becomes overwhelming… If you have that many goals they are probably action steps, not goals.

• Grounded. Your goals should be based on your values and purpose, and aligned with your mission, and vision. If a goal isn’t congruent with this foundation, rework it or ditch it altogether.

Regardless of the process you use to flesh out your goals, it can be helpful to break them out into major categories.  (If you decide to have lots of subcategories, only list 1-2 goals for each one. Keep in mind you only want 10-15 goals for the entire year!) The ones I use are:

1. Professional – Includes any goals focused on your career. You may further break this down into categories such as financial, practice numbers, marketing, education, etc.

2. Personal – Non-work-related goals fall into this category, which can be further sub-divided if necessary. (i.e.: Mental, physical, emotional, creative, etc.)

3. Financial – Any goals you have regarding money, savings, investments, etc. 

4. Adventure – Goals for fun and recreational activities are a must! Otherwise you run the risk of only focusing on work and getting burned out.

5. Connections – Who do you want to meet, work with, interview, mentor, etc. in the upcoming year?

Have you set your written healthcare marketing goals for this year? What works for you? Please share your thoughts and tips in the comments section to help others who may be struggling.

For more information on building community connections, I encourage you to read my new book Community Connections! Relationship Marketing for Healthcare Professionals. If you want more valuable information about how to Connect with YOUR Community, you can find FREE healthcare practice marketing content, PowerPoint Presentation Jumpstart Kits, workbooks, blog articles, and my FREE “Practice Marketing Planner” Now!