It's only been a few days since the new year, and you're starting to feel that itch. You know what it is: the desire to start on those resolutions, so many of us make at this time of year. But don't just rush into things. Before you set out your new year's business resolutions for business people, consider these points first:
Start Setting Reasonable Deadlines and Meet Them Consistently
Deadlines are essential in business. Not only do they keep you accountable, but they also help to keep projects on track and moving forward. However, if a deadline is too far off in the future or set unrealistically high, it can be difficult for someone to stay motivated day after day until that final date rolls around. So be reasonable with your deadlines and make sure they are reachable, so you don't end up having an unmanageable workload at the last minute.
Meeting your deadlines will increase your credibility and help you get more business in the future.
Update Your Company Details
If someone is looking for information on your company, there's nothing worse than not finding it because outdated or incorrect contact information was used. Potential customers must easily connect with you when they need something from your business so take some time out of each day to update any inaccurate data online. You can also try sending a letter home with every employee asking them to double-check their address details for accuracy, which can be surprisingly effective at getting everyone up-to-date quickly.
The following are questions to ask yourself when updating your company details:
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Meet With Your Accountant
It can be hard to find time for meetings or even phone calls if you're self-employed. However, if you don't have an accountant taking care of the numbers in your business, now is as good a time as any to get one so they can help keep track of things and make sure that nothing slips through the cracks financially. Your books shouldn't just be left sitting on a desk collecting dust when they could be actively helping manage your company's finances instead.
Revive Projects You Abandoned
It happens all too often: you become overwhelmed by work and decide to put some projects on hold while others take priority. However, this can often lead to those abandoned projects never being completed and that unfinished work gradually taking its toll on your mental health. Dedicate a certain number of hours each week to working on old projects you've left unfinished so you can finally cross them off your list and move on with your life.
Stop Working Yourself to Death
It's no secret that entrepreneurs tend to overwork themselves, so it's so important to set boundaries for yourself in the new year. If you don't start taking better care of yourself, you might not be around long enough to see all of your business goals through.
At least one hour per day should be reserved for family time.
Commit at Least One Hour per Day for Family
If you start this resolution, your family will be thankful, and so will your company in the long run. Dedicate an hour or two each week to spending time with loved ones who can help reduce stress and increase productivity when it's time to get back down to business again.
Start Being Proactive To Increase Your Proficiency
Many people assume that they are already proficient enough in their field, but there is always room for improvement no matter how much experience you have under your belts. Make a point of studying new ways that things could work better, making you more confident in communicating with clients and colleagues alike. The more proactive you are, the more noticeable your skills are to potential employers.
Improve One Aspect of Your Health
This could be anything from going to the gym regularly to eating better foods or even getting more sleep at night. Making small changes in your daily routine can significantly impact your overall health, so try and pick one thing you can work on this year and stick with it.
Revisit Customer Data
A lot can change in a year, so it's important to occasionally look back at your customer base and see if there are any new trends or changes worth considering when it comes time to plan future marketing campaigns. It also is helpful to reach out to your most loyal customers and see if they have any feedback or suggestions for how you could improve your business.
Clean Out the Office
This is one resolution that everyone can get on board with. Spend a day going through all of the old paperwork, files, and other junk that's been piling up in your office and getting rid of whatever doesn't serve a purpose anymore. Not only will this make your work area look neater, but it can also help to declutter your mind, leading to increased productivity.
Touch Base With Old Business Contacts
It's always a good idea to keep in touch with people with whom you've done business, even if those relationships are no longer active. This will help you to stay in the know when it comes to new opportunities, industry developments, and other information that can be valuable for your business moving forward.
Face Your Fears
You might not have realized this, but by putting off specific tasks or projects in the past year, you've been letting fear keep you from genuinely fulfilling all of your goals. Take a step back now and then to figure out what is stopping you from success so that these issues become less intimidating over time. Once they are no longer daunting obstacles on your path towards success, you can finally start living up to your full potential as an entrepreneur.
Conclusion
Your company's business resolutions should reflect your business resolutions. If you have no idea what kind of goals to set for yourself, then ask other people in the company or those around you what things they want help with within their lives and businesses.
Resolutions don't always need to relate directly to work - perhaps one goal is making it home on time every day so that you can eat dinner with your family before bedtime or work out every day to improve your health and well-being.
Whatever resolutions you choose, make sure that they are achievable and specific so that you can measure your progress along the way. And above all else, have fun. Setting and working towards goals should be a positive experience, not something like a drag or added stress.
WRITTEN BY
Sophie H.