Happy New Year!
This first week of January always seems to be a planning week, with lots of people talking about setting goals and planning great strides in your business. There’s just something about turning that final calendar page and seeing the new year staring you in the face that makes people want to achieve more in the new year.
Like anything else, however, if you start making dozens of changes all at once, chances are you won’t follow through with all of them, become overwhelmed and then find your business faltering or staying at the same level of success. I find that implementing changes slowly and carefully while testing and tracking the success of each change works best for me. I really like seeing the actual results and knowing if something worked or failed.
Lessons Learned from Last Year
I saw a great quote on Facebook the other day which basically said to “look forward because you can’t change the past.” Sure, you can learn from the past and try not to make the same mistakes as you might have in the past but don’t dwell on something you can’t change. Let go of the anger, embarrassment, or guilt and look forward to something new, something better.
So I’m spending some time this week thinking about what parts of my business were really successful last year and what could use some improvement. You can write this down with good ol’ pen and paper or use a mindmap software program on your computer. Just get this in front of you somehow so you can see your dreams and goals unfold.
Making Changes for the New Year
What part of your business needs improvement? Do you need to hire employees? Need to implement a social media plan? Need a more robust marketing plan?
Now list the steps necessary to make these things happen. Even if you tackle one of these tasks at a time or one per month, take the action necessary to make these changes starting TODAY. Place an online advertisement for an employee; hire a social media manager; investigate different online and offline marketing strategies.
Seeing the Big Picture
Where do you see yourself at the end of 2012? Do you have a monetary goal in mind? What do you consider as “success”? Not every goal has to be about money. Sure, money is a good thing to have and provides financial stability but look more closely at your business. Maybe winning a certain client will deem your year successful. Or opening a new office. Your measure of success doesn’t have to be all about the money and it will certainly be different from other business owners.
I’d love to hear about ways you’re changing up your own business this year. What are some of your biggest goals for 2012?
Trevor –
Great post. I use a very similar goal setting process for setting my goals. I started using Raymond Aaron’s program 5 or 6 years ago.His program not only addresses business and income goals, but personal and learning type of goals. It works well for me.
I first put down what I want to accomplish in this year for my business called my annual backwards goals. Then I break those down into all of steps I will need to take. Each month is assigned tasks which then get moved to my weekly sheet. It really does help keep you focuses.
Sharon
I especially like the part in your post that talks about the quote you found on FB, “look forward because you can’t change the past.” Letting go of the past can be liberating. I will be making this a special part of my goals. Thanks!