We are ushering in a new year in less than 24 hours, and if you want to make sure that your business is aligned with success in 2015 its time to put in work today. Do not wait until tomorrow or a couple of days later to get the ball rolling. At the end of the year my favorite thing is to get a hotel room for three days so I can be in peace. During this time I review my plans for the new year, decompress from the past, and focus my intentions on living a happy, prosperous, and abundant new year.
Plan Yearly – Quarterly – Monthly
Are you dreaming of owning a big company that can be passed down through the generations of your family? If so, stop only planning weeks or days out. Its time to think about the bigger picture and planning your next year before the current year ends. All products and services for ICB Consults have been planned out for next year. They have release dates and project deadlines. The content for this site is planned 9 weeks out. This is extremely helpful at keeping the focus. Using Tools To Establish A Schedule For Success now versus later.
Get A Tribe
Drop the deadweight and start moving with the right people. If you are surrounded by toxic people year after year don’t expect them to want to see you go higher. They will make you feel bad for pursuing your dreams and wanting a better life. Start hanging around women you admire and who are achieving things you want to achieve. As cliché as these quotes are they are very true:
“You become the five people you spend the most time with”.
“Birds of a feather flock together”.
I rather soar with an eagle than be a pigeon on the ground fighting over leftover Chick-fil-A fries. Building A Tribe of Small Business Owners is important for you.
Set SMART Goals
Most people create goals and then somewhere between the couch and the fridge the goal has become a dream on the back burner of the stove. Which then become no longer important because people do not create smart goals. What are SMART Goals you say? They are (S)pecific, (M)easurable, (A)chievable, (R)ealistic, and (T)imely Goals. This is very helpful if you want to succeed in business. Follow these guidelines when creating goals; to help you move to higher levels in business. We All Have Goals and its important to focus on them respectively.
Disconnect + Take Vacations
This might be a shocker but taking breaks and disconnecting is something all business owners need to do so they can refresh and focus throughout the rest of the year. Earlier this year I read how a couple of powerful CEOs took the last weekend of the month off or they opt for a break every quarter. Everyone knows if you want to function at your highest level of performance you need a break from the real world and rest.
Volunteer
Are you super consumed with your own business and believe that you don’t have time for nothing else? Well, I say add volunteering to your plate. Volunteering your time to people who can never repay you back is the most rewarding experience. I have been volunteering since I was a kid. Going to your local food bank, homeless shelter, kid hospital and much more to help. I know several local non-profits that need help with social media or admin work. This helps you disconnect from your life and help someone.
Read More Books and Blogs
You should constantly be striving to learn more from others who have the experience you don’t. There are so many things I have learned in regards to my business from books. Reading is my favorite thing to do. Not just business books. All types of books can give you the Aha moment you need to push your business to new heights. Finding blogs that inspire you is another great helpful tool. Some blogs have died in recent years but make sure you make your presence known in the comments of the ones you love. Ask questions and share.
Strive For A Continued Education
Once a week you should be attending a conference, seminar, webinar, or class that can push your business. No one knows everything. Opening yourself up to new aspects of business is a great way to become a better business owner. Learning to do code and graphic design are two highlights of my 2013 and 2014 year. They equipped me with skills to save time and money for my business. In addition to empowering me as a women business owner.
Money Management
When your money runs your life you are a slave to it. Point blank period. If you are living paycheck to paycheck– not having an emergency fund –is one of the hardest ways to live. You are constantly worried about when the next check is coming and how to take care of your bills. Put a plan together that allows you to get out of debt for good and save! Manage your money don’t let it manage you.
Everyone wants to be successful. No one wakes up thinking let me be average and unseen. Life is meant to matter and have an impact for the greater good. Start today aligning yourself and your business for success in the new year.
