1 January is the day where the most diets begin, gym memberships boom and any remaining Christmas treats get discarded in a frenzied fridge purge. We all pledge to get healthy, live life to the fullest and try that something ‘new’ we’ve resolved to try for the last few years. But what about your business? Do you set New Year resolutions for your business? If not, or perhaps you’re looking for some inspiration, here are a few of my favourite ‘business’ resolutions to help you make 2020 your most successful year yet.
- Prioritise you – We all know the plane safety briefing analogy about fitting our own oxygen mask before helping others, but do you apply this to yourself as a business owner? How can you provide the best service to your clients and customers if you’re always stressed, tired and running on a diet of caffeine and sugar? Prioritising your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health by exercising regularly, eating healthy balanced meals, getting enough sleep and scheduling in some ‘play’ time is critical to your personal wellness and thus the success of your business.
- Understand the numbers – Do you really understand your business numbers? While most business owners know how much they are selling, few really understand how profitable their business is. Enlist a specialist to help you get a handle on your numbers.
- Improve your digital presence – If it’s been more than 12 months since your website has been updated, you haven’t done anything to add to your online presence in forever, you haven’t got an email marketing list or ‘digital’ isn’t part of your marketing plan, it’s time to add this resolution to your list. Pronto!
- Focus on productivity rather than being ‘busy’ – Being ‘busy’ is often seen as a badge of honour in business. This year don’t get caught in the ‘busy’ trap and rather focus on productivity. Schedule your time. Batch tasks. Silence your emails for periods. Focus on one task at a time. You’ll be surprised what a difference a productivity mindset will make to your day and how much more you’ll be able to achieve without feeling frazzled and overwhelmed.
- Charge what you’re worth – Eeekkk!!! I know this is a sensitive topic for many people (oneself included) but if you’re often left feeling underpaid and undervalued, it’s time to rethink how you charge for your time, products and services and ensure that it accurately reflects the value you bring to others.
- Plan – As a self-confessed ‘list nerd’, I know the benefits of ‘writing it down’ and planning. By getting organised, writing a list and planning your day (ideally the night before) you will increase your productivity and decrease wasted/dead time.
- Find a routine that suits YOU – There are countless blog posts, books and podcasts on the ‘best’ routines for productivity and success and while I’d love to be able to stick to a daily routine of getting up early, meditating, journaling, walking in nature, exercising, stretching, and drinking a green smoothie all before logging on for a day of ‘work’, for myself this is not a reality (at least not every day). Find a routine that works for you. If you’re most productive between 11am and 2pm, block that time out for ‘being on the tools’. Do you find you’re most creative first thing in the morning, perhaps this is when you should think about doing some business development or meeting with clients. Do you suffer from the 3:30pm slump? Perhaps think about making this your exercise time. Find a routine which works for you and try to stick to it most days.
- Take time out to work on your business – How many of us get so caught up working in our business that we forget to and don’t prioritise working on our business. Setting aside some time each month or each quarter to review your business goals, monitor your progress and then make some changes if you’ve got a bit off track is a way to ensure that you don’t get to December 2020 and think ‘what have I actually achieved this year?’
- Think Ahead – As you think about your business resolutions for 2020, consider 2021 and beyond. 2020 marks the start of a new decade and while many people will overestimate what they can achieve in a year, they will underestimate what they can achieve in a decade.
What are your business goals for 2020? I’d love to know. Please share them with us at hello@blackandblanco.com.au.