Where Will Your Compass Lead You This Year?

By Sandra M. Edson, MBA

As 2017 begins, many of us have taken a moment to pause and reflect on the past year. For some, it’s  a time to be proud of accomplishments; for others, a chance to reflect on missed opportunities or challenges faced along the way. Whatever the circumstance, January offers each of us one thing in common: a chance to reset our goals and the direction of our compass.

Where will your compass take you? Will you embark on a new career? Travel to a new destination? Further your education? Invest differently? Build networking opportunities?

Two years ago, I chose to invest in my career. This decision was not only the right choice, but it opened up other opportunities. It’s funny how when you point the needle in one direction to accomplish one goal, it draws together so many other points in life. Now, I’m proud to say, I’ve settled into my new position and it’s time to shift my primary goals in another direction.

This year my top goals include traveling, volunteering, and staying abreast of legislative matters following our recent election. I know I will be able to accomplish these goals. In fact, I know the first new place I’ll be traveling to this March.

Thanks to AHRA and the 2017 Design Team Chair, Tricia Trammell, I’ll have an opportunity to visit Savannah, Georgia for the first time. I’m excited to be part of AHRA’s Spring Conference Design Team and to kick off my volunteering objectives for 2017 with an organization that has been instrumental in leadership development, networking opportunities, and keeping us informed about regulatory changes. In a matter of months, I’ll be able to check a few goals off my list:

Travel to a new destination ✔
Achieve Educational Opportunities  ✔
Build Networking ✔

You can do this too.  If you have not had a chance to look at the Spring Conference line up, please do so. Here’s a sneak peek at the Advanced Track presentations:

• AHRA Washington Update
• Is Fluoroscopy Dose Management the Next Big Thing?
• Mentorship: Building Leaders and Being Built
• Developing Emotional Intelligence, The Brain of a Leader

I hope that 2016 was filled with a number of successes for each of you, and I wish you the best this coming year. Hopefully, your compass will lead you to the Spring Conference in Savannah, the AHRA Annual Meeting in my home state of California, or to other opportunities that get you involved in AHRA.

Sandra M. Edson, MBA is the director of imaging and women’s wellness center at St. Joseph-Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA. She can be reached at sandra.edson@stjoe.org.