I write annual goals every year, but, surprisingly, in 2022 I failed to achieve every single one of them XDD.

Such as?

Things like qualifying as a lawyer, passing JLPT N1, and taking TOEIC.

The lawyer qualification is fine—I later realized I wasn’t especially interested in it anyway.

But with JLPT N1 and TOEIC, I didn’t even have time to register. I studied, then completely missed the registration periods. That was honestly pretty ridiculous Orz.

Still, it wasn’t that I accomplished nothing. The achievements I did make simply weren’t anywhere on my annual-goals list.

Later I read a book that described this situation as the result of never properly observing or using my own talents—or perhaps not actually knowing what I truly wanted.

As it happened, this year I also took a more complete look at my talents through my astrological chart, and while preparing for the national examinations, I explored what I genuinely wanted.

Through several different startup projects, I even discovered what truly interested me.

Luckiest of all, I found a workplace willing to value me.

After spending a year observing and exploring myself this carefully, for the first time I wanted to write my New Year’s resolutions out in public.

Then I happened to see a senior I admire propose the idea of “aligning” one’s New Year’s resolutions.

“In that case, on the very last day of the year, I might as well write down my hopes and original intentions for next year.”

Then I can set aside time regularly to check whether I am actually reaching those goals.

Resolution 1: Become the Most Reliable SAS Programmer at IQVIA

Surprisingly, I was lucky enough to join a work environment this year that suits me extremely well.

Before I had even started, people were already looking forward to my arrival. My team didn’t treat me as though I had no value or dislike the fact that I had touched many fields without specializing in one; instead, they appreciated it.

They were even willing to overlook my lack of knowledge and experience in clinical trials and give me room to learn and improve.

Although I hadn’t started yet, I could already feel very clearly that I was valued and appreciated.

There is no end to becoming more “impressive” or “powerful,” and there will always be someone more impressive and powerful than you.

I don’t dare hope that I will become the most powerful SAS programmer of all.

But I do hope that, at IQVIA, I can become a SAS programmer whom my team members find truly reliable.

So, beyond successfully earning the SAS Base and Advanced certifications, I also hope to provide practical, effective help whenever teammates need it.

Of course, if possible, I would still like to become the most powerful SAS programmer XD.

Resolution 2: Leave the Cram School Where I’ve Spent Nearly Ten Years—Safely and Smoothly

I have been talking about resigning since the pandemic began, and now this current class of high-school seniors is finally my last.

There are many reasons for leaving, but they can be summed up in one phrase: “not a good fit.”

We want different things, define achievement differently, and hold different values.

If I stayed any longer, my passion for teaching would be worn away completely. Leaving with this final group of students—whom I quite like—just as enrollment is beginning to rise feels like the best possible timing.

I hope there will be no conflict, no probing into the real reasons I am leaving, and that we can simply part on good terms. I also hope every student gets into the university they truly want.

Then I can say that I have genuinely fulfilled my responsibility as a teacher.

Resolution 3: Start Tackling the Long-Idle Air, Water, Waste, and Toxic-Substance Certifications

I have wanted the four “air, water, waste, and toxic-substance” certifications for a long time, but the courses were only offered on weekends—and I always taught weekend classes—so I never had the chance to pursue them.

Now that I have finally and officially left the cram-school industry, I am free from having to teach every weekend and can begin preparing for these four certification exams.

Even though I will probably stay in clinical trials for a long time and will not use these certifications there.

But when has anything I do ever had anything to do with my current job XD?

Resolution 4: Get Every Startup Venture Properly on Track

In 2022, I launched three ventures in completely different directions all at once: an escape room, an online course, and a self-study classroom. Each also brought me partners I trust deeply.

This was an entirely new experience. At my original cram school I had always worked alone, so suddenly having people to rely on felt very unfamiliar.

I hope I can get used to relying on my teammates while also taking responsibility for carrying my own part of the work.

I want every venture to progress on schedule—and, if possible, even move faster than originally expected.

Resolution 5: Take My Skills and Abilities to the Next Level

As an interdisciplinary person who has moved among different fields for a long time, I used to think there was no job capable of using every skill I had.

I always felt that my skills—and their levels—were already more than sufficient.

Until I started a business.

Yes. It was when I started a business.

I learned exactly what it feels like to get stuck at every single step: every move forward brought another unknown challenge.

Honestly, I was terrified at first. Even when things eventually turned out well, I still felt afraid whenever I faced something completely unfamiliar.

I was terrified that one poorly considered decision would send the entire team charging straight toward death.

Or that my skills would not be enough to support what the team wanted to do, forcing us to outsource the work and take on extra costs.

So in 2023, I hope to take my marketing-related knowledge and skills up another level—including graphic design, video and music editing, advertising, websites, digital illustration, and more.

I also hope that improving these skills will let the team dream bigger, keep me from getting stuck at every step, and make the unknown feel less frightening.

If some of those skills could even become freelance work—illustration, web engineering, video editing, or something similar—that would be even betterrr.

I also hope to become capable of solving more problems for the people and family members I treasure, so they can be better cared for and live better lives.

Resolution 6: Grow My Personal Media—and Do Interesting Things with Interesting People

Beyond publishing more high-quality articles on my personal website, I want to use my various skills to enrich Wakame’s Instagram, Facebook, streams, and other social channels.

And, of course, I hope to work with lots of interesting people on lots of interesting projects.

Before that can happen, though, I need the corresponding abilities so I can stand on equal footing with all those multitalented people.

I also want to make time to keep submitting to PanSci and reach five published pieces—the threshold for a chance to become a columnist.

Just imagine how cool it would be for a natural-science teacher to be a PanSci columnist XDDD.

Resolution 7: Improve My Language Skills

Now that I have joined IQVIA, this half-good, half-bad English definitely isn’t going to cut it.

It is time to follow my English teacher’s advice and properly strengthen my listening skills.

Also, I have been talking about TOEIC forever—when am I actually going to register for the test XDDDD?

And I have been talking about Japanese for a very, very long time too. I finished the N1 course ages ago, yet I still haven’t kept improving or taken the exam.

If I didn’t occasionally watch Japanese dramas and anime, I probably would have forgotten all my Japanese by now XD.

If possible, I would also like to spend some time learning Korean.

Resolution 8: Build a Healthier Body

My workload suddenly increased in 2022, and more of my work required moving around. My daily routine became a complete mess, and I could barely find time to exercise.

As a result, I often had no energy for the entire day, and my body kept running into one problem after another.

A few items on my IQVIA pre-employment health check were also not quite okay, so as soon as I found out, I quickly booked an appointment at Mackay Memorial Hospital.

My daily rule now is simple: if I am not streaming, I need to exercise.

Without really noticing, I kept up the pattern of exercising every day or two for a full week. My body clearly began to feel better, and I had much more energy throughout the day.

So my hope for 2023—or perhaps for every year—is to maintain a normal routine and exercise regularly.

And stop eating whatever I feel like.

According to the astrology guru, 2023 will once again be the age of Aquarius.

Let’s head into 2023 with even greater expectations!