Resolve to Keep Your New Year’s Business Resolutions

New Year’s is a time of reflection and new starts.  Many people set resolutions for their personal life.  It is also a good idea to set business resolutions too!   A resolution to create a new product, talk to so many leads per day, hold so many strategy sessions, hold a webinar, do a video, hire a VA, and the list could go on.  Did you create a resolution associated with your business?  Now you have a resolution or goal…how do you make it happen?

Be Specific:   Make your business goals clear.  See them happening in your mind.  Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-oriented.  Instead of just saying I will create a new product.  State I will word 15 minutes per day 3 times a week to create a product about _____ for completion by  May 1.   Write down your goals and track your progress.  Hold yourself accountable or better yet, find an accountability partner.

Keep it Simple:  Don’t make your business goals so lofty that they are impossible to reach.  Don’t  tackle too much.  Taking on too much can be overwhelming and lead to failure.  Set yourself up for success by selecting goals that are focused on one thing and achievable.  Write down why it is important to achieve this goal and what will change when it happens.  Everything needs a “Why!”

Seek Support:  This is a big one.   When your business is small you think you have to do everything.   My friends, that is a recipe for overwhelm and failure.  Seek help form someone willing to barter services or hire someone to help out with tasks that are time consuming or you dislike.   This will free up more time to work on other aspects of your goal.   Also seek support from others.  Share your business goals and let them help keep you motivated.

Plan Ahead:  Having a defined plan is essential to meeting your business resolution.  Plan how you will achieve your business goals despite problems that arise and routine things in life that get in the way.  How will you measure your milestones to achievement?   How will you celebrate?  What happens next when you meet your goal?   Who will help you achieve your goal?   All these things should be taken into consideration.

Anticipate Problems:  You can pretty much guarantee there will be problems.  Anticipate them.  How will you handle them.  Have a plan B and C, just in case.  You will find when you are prepared for problems, they seem much smaller and easier to handle.

Celebrate:  When you complete your goal, celebrate.  Reward yourself and others for completing your goal.  If it is a big goal, celebrate the small milestones as you work towards your big goal.   Making dreams come true is hard work and we all deserve to celebrate along the way.

Both you and your business will thrive if you follow these tips to help stick to your business resolutions!

So what is your business resolution for 2014?