Ok, 2026, here's what I've got

Preface

I planned on posting the following today, but then hedged a bit considering the latest spike in the already increasingly volatile situation in our country and the world. But then I thought, that's what the powers want us to do, to not be who we are. I feel it is important for us, alongside showing up for what is happening, to continue to live our lives, seek community, and find and project joy for not only ourselves, but others. So, without further ado, my goals for 2026 as promised. I know you've been eagerly waiting.

Post

I'm generally not a New Year's resolution person. Any attempts I've made in the past, fell apart. Someone I know in library-land once told me that they create annual personal and professional goals for themself. I thought that was an interesting idea. I do create goals as a part of our annual evaluation process, but those seem a bit different. I recently viewed an Instagram reel about a goal structure that sounded interesting. There are three layers:

1. Pick a Misogi - a big time, difficult goal
2. Pick six mini adventures for the year. Something new. It doesn't need to cost anything necessarily. Do one every two months.
3. Choose four winning habits. One thing per quarter. It takes about that long for habits to solidify.

My misogi may not be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro (I know people who have!), but they are big and challenging to me. I also may cluster my adventures. Even though I have my evaluation related goals, I decided to include professional goals in addition to personal. I don't believe I'm adding too much to my plate. Many of the goals are things I was going to do anyway and some aren't a huge lift to begin with.

Personal

1. Misogi - Start, develop, and promote a blog. Post twice a month
2. Adventures
   1. Take a photography class
   2. Go on a birding field trip
   3. Investigate volunteer opportunities and pick one. Also evaluate my recurring giving and keep it local
   4. Take an art class
   5. Get a fragrance consultation at Sephora
   6. Resurrect my OG holiday party
3. Winning habits
   1. Track my expenses in Simplifi, editing and reviewing weekly
   2. Add strength training to my workouts
   3. Start scanning and organizing my photos (print and digital)
   4. Establish a regular creative practice

Professional

1. Misogi - Position myself to offer my candidacy for an elected role in a national professional organization
2. Adventures
   1. Re-establish a LinkedIn profile. Enhance ORCID profile as well. And finally update my CV in the correct format and add the things I've done that I didn't think belonged on a CV
   2. Prepare and submit proposal for a contributed paper to ACRL 2027
   3. Connect with others who have been elected to leadership positions within a national professional organization to learn about candidacy
   4. Lead the reinvention of a state professional organization
   5. Create a multi-year research plan
   6. Develop a strategy to prepare to meet criteria for promotion to full professor
3. Winning habits
   1. Regularly review all of my information feeds and organize accordingly. I highly recommend Raindrop.io for those of you that miss del.icio.us
   2. Carve out at least one hour a week for reflection or learning
   3. Work on skills and content to enhance mentoring and staff 1:1 meetings
   4. Establish “coffee” breaks with colleagues for regular connection

So yeah, this is a lot, but I believe I can meet all of them in some way, though I'm not putting pressure on myself to meet all of them. As long as I have movement on them, I'm good. Of course, life happens, which can make things go sideways and nullify my plans. But we won't think about that.