I set myself one main business-orientated goal for 2024 - to increase the number of subscribers on my email list. Because making goals specific matters, I was encouraged to name a number - and a scary number at that. You will, no doubt have heard of SMART goals, but this post from Helen Bevan had me thinking differently, so I kept the specific and measurable and left it at that.

This also became a stretch goal, something I wasn’t sure I could or would reach, that would need me to do things differently and to think differently. Very Jim Collins and his BHAG concept (Big hairy audacious goal).

I set that number at 1000. At the start of 2024, I had 423 people who every week, received the newsletter email. Some of those people were amongst the very first to sign up way back in 2016.

Let’s cut to the chase, here I am at the end of 2024 and no, there aren’t 1000 people on my email list.

This was a number I tracked every month, I took courses, and boot camps, tried different things and put other projects on hold to keep a focus on this space.

So how do I feel about this?

As a big advocate and user of reflection that’s exactly what I did, and asked myself, OK, how do I feel about not achieving this goal? Here’s what I journaled.

Setting the target of 1000 forced a challenge and a shift.

And that meant I would have to do something different. It challenged me to think and act differently and move out of my comfort zone. I tested things that resonated with me and some that certainly did not.

Through all of that, I got a lot clearer on what works for me and I am celebrating trying new things.

Result: You’ve got to test and try things to know if it works, and that I did.

A number alone doesn’t measure connection 

Numbers can inspire but they don’t tell you the whole story. This is true of many targets used in healthcare (don’t get me started). The connection, understanding and relationship I have with people who are brave enough to sign up and then continue to read the weekly newsletter mattered more to me than the actual number.

During 2024 I’ve had more responses, replies, conversations and connections with those on my email list than ever before.

Result: That is a huge celebration and win, it’s been genuine and came from thinking differently.

I still made progress.

Do I have more subscribers than at the start of the year - yes I do. 

I have to confess, I do a little joyful dance for every person who joins, I get genuinely excited. I also never forget the privilege it is to be invited into your inbox. Every one of you who receives the newsletter matters. You signed up because you care about healthcare and that connects us.

Progress matters, small steps matter and celebrating progress and small wins motivates you to do more and keep going.  

Result: The goal gave me a direction, a heading and along with the progress celebrations I never lost focus.

It’s always about the why

When I became super focused on the goal, not the direction I did weird shit. It wasn’t aligned and didn’t feel right. It also didn’t actually gain me any more subscribers

That forced me to think why? Why bother and then ask why am I doing this?

The why mattered more and when I returned to that - I let go of the number and focused on why. I used a 5 Whys process to help me really understand why since 2016 I have been writing a weekly newsletter for those working and leading in healthcare.  

Result: Remembering my why kept me grounded

Healthcare matters, and those who lead in healthcare matter. I want to help those doing that work so they can feel supported in what they do.

So why does that matter?

When leaders feel supported, they can support thier teams and then their teams can do great work. Work can feel joyful, challenging and fulfilling for everyone. (No burnout).

So why does that matter?

When teams are supported and set up to do great work, the care and experience of those needing healthcare are better. Teams who care about each other and have joy in work are more likely to remain in healthcare (and we need good people).

So why does that matter?

Because needing healthcare is scary, vulnerable and unpredictable. Good people make a real difference in those moments.

So?

Teams that are set up for success deliver safer care and when you are on the receiving end it’s less scary and that means you’re more likely to get home and get home quickly.

Those who work in healthcare have fulfilment and joy in their work, feel satisfied and know they’ve made a difference.

Failure is one hell of a rabbit hole to fall into and I think this is a topic that will come up again. One thing I do know is that separating my identity and who I am from the goals, means that I may have failed to reach the goal, but I am not a failure. It’s a point of difference that makes all the difference.

So I may not have reached that 1000 number but I am closing out 2024 celebrating the connection, the progress, the tests and experiments I ran and learnt from. And I’m grounded in being clear about why I do what I do.

Want to join hundreds (not thousands) of healthcare leaders with the weekly bright spot in your inbox? Click here. (and yay, joyful dance to celebrate you coming on).