The Year of Possibilities

As one year closes out and a new one begins, a common tradition is to make resolutions. I don’t like resolutions. Maybe it is because they tend to frame some perceived negative behavior, such as “I will stop procrastinating,” “I will get off the couch and go the gym,” or “I will eat less sugar/fat/carbs…”

There is something so resolute in their makeup that drains any hope of joy from the process. I find that members in professional associations often have the same issues in making career-based resolutions, like the ones many of us make at the beginning of each tax season: “This year I will…” and then the year goes by.

I don’t know about you, but I prefer to start my year by making a list of possibilities. What would I like to do? What would I like to become? How can I accomplish that? When I deal in possibilities, I feel more positive and in control of my destiny. There is no “I should” and “I must,” but rather, “I want” and “I can.”

Perhaps you could try this approach as well. For the new year, I suggest that you look at your membership in the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), the programs, opportunities, and benefits that are available, and then ask yourself two questions: “What would I like to do this year?” and “How can the NAEA help me do that?”

Here are some ideas:

• Involvement – Do I want more peer-to-peer networking, collaboration, and support? Are there online and live opportunities that I can attend to engage with others?
• Advocacy – Do I have ideas on what Congress or my state should legislate to ensure a fair system for my clients? How can I get involved to make that happen?
• Education – Is there something new I would like to learn this year? Improve my knowledge of taxation? A tax topic specialization? Representation? Leadership skills?
• Practice Management – Are there skills that I would like to cultivate to become more successful? How do I start/build/sell my practice? How can I become a more valuable employee or employer? What tools do I want to obtain to use in my workplace? How can I best transition from part-time to full-time, or vice versa?
• Skills Sharing – Is there something that I do well that I am willing to share with others? Teach? Advocate? Peer support? Public outreach? Leadership? Governance?

Many of these benefits, opportunities, and possibilities are available through your NAEA membership.

If there are things that you would like to see the NAEA do to improve your membership experience, please let us know. Your suggestions matter, and please know that you are likely speaking for others who feel the same way.

In this season of thankfulness, celebration, and new possibilities, I thank you on behalf of the NAEA Board for your membership and wish you a new year filled with success and contentment.