Just like I haven’t always been a “word of the year” person, I similarly haven’t been a New Years resolutions person, either. But I do think there is something to setting goals in January to help guide and direct you through the rest of the year. I am careful when I pick my goals, though – I really only focus on things I’m actually passionate about and feel really strongly about trying to achieve. I’m not going to pick a goal that I feel like I “should” have on my list – it’s more about things that I know I want to work on all year long because they add value to my life. So with that in mind, here are my goals for 2023.

Keep Reading Consistently
I think 2022 was my best year in a while of reading consistently. I don’t track the number of books I read each year – I don’t have a set goal to reach in that respect – but it’s more about making time every day, even if it’s just for five minutes, to read. Phoebe at Read and Wright really changed my life with her idea of “commute reading,” and now I try to read a little bit in the morning most days instead of mindlessly watching TV while I have my coffee. Sure, there are still some days I don’t read, and that’s fine – but overall, I’m reading more consistently and more often, and I’m happier! So this is a goal I want to continue for 2023.
(Actually) Finish my Book Draft
This was a goal that I had for 2022 – to finish the draft of my book of essays about my life that I’ve started – and it didn’t happen. The second half of the year did not go as I expected, and not only did I eel like I didn’t have time to write, I also didn’t feel very motivated to write, either. But like I talked about in yesterday’s post – I’m adapting. And I want to make this a priority for this year! It’s actually outlined and some of the essays/chapters are already drafted. 2023 is the year.
Put Myself Out There More
This is a hard one for me! There are things that I want to do – more speaking engagements, more published pieces – but I tend to wait for someone to ask me. I want to be better about putting myself out there and asking for things that I want! I can’t always expect people to just hand me opportunities. I’ve made so many incredible connections online, and met some amazing people… but I need to be willing to put myself out there and ask for help, for connections, for opportunities. It’s not something that comes naturally to me, but it’s something I want to be better at.
Keep Growing my Blog and Instagram
I have some more business-y goals that I’m coming up with for my blog and Instagram (and keeping to myself!), but I want to generally continue to grow. In 2022, I had my first real sponsored posts, which was incredibly exciting, and I also started new content series (“Accidentally Adaptive” and “Disabled While…”) that I feel really good about. So I want to keep growing – more followers, more sponsored posts (but only things I truly believe in, always!), and more genuine connections made online.
Heather, can’t wait to read your book when you finish it! That’s super exciting!
Also I teach at Duquesne University now in the PT program (left Pitt and CAT in 2021) and also do research. We regularly seek guest speakers for class who would be willing to discuss their experiences with physical therapy, assistive technology, and life experiences with the PT students. Let me know if your interested.
Also with respect to research, I developed and tested a internet based healthy lifestyle behavior program in a small cohort of people with spinal cord injury. I am now working with our media dept at DUQ to make it more interactive and house all the materials on an online management system while ensuring it follows the section 508 guidelines for web accessibility. If you’re interested in being a consultant let me know.
I know your time is valuable and for guest speaking DUQ provides honorariums. For research I don’t have any funding right now but am writing a small grant to make the expansions i mentions to the program but once it’s expanded I plan to write an NIH grant where I could incorporate funding for you.
I don’t check Facebook messenger much, so here is my DUQ email: crytzert@wpsbc.org.
My best
Theresa