It's January again, and this is a great time of year to make a fresh start. I love this time of year, as it feels like a new beginning, to build on last year but also start something new, to create an even better business and have more impact on the world.
So I have put together 7 empowering questions that will get you focused and ready to make this your best year ever.
I recommend you allocate at least 30 minutes to go through these questions and answer them with as much detail as you can.
1) What were my biggest accomplishments for 2015?
Think back to some of the wins you had last year, the things you did well that you were really proud of. Not just in business but also personally.
2) What were the biggest mistakes I made in 2015?
This is a chance to review what went wrong - important as you don't want to make the same mistakes again.
3) What skills have I improved? What lessons did I learn in 2015?
Take a few minutes to reflect on what you learned.
4) What are my 3 biggest business and personal GOALS for 2016?
Make these into "SMART" GOALS - Specific, Meaningful, Action-Orientated, Realistic (but challenging enough to motivate you!), and Timely.
For example "To double the profits in my business from $200,000 to $400,000 by 31st December 2016. I will then use this extra money to get rid of the business loan of $200,000."
5) What new habits do I need to achieve my GOALS?
To achieve your GOALS you will need to do some things differently this year. If you do the same things as last year you will get the same results.
For example, a new habit for the goal above might be measuring sales weekly to see if you are on track; new initiatives might include developing new/different marketing strategies to get more leads or improving sales skills to increase conversions.
6) What do I need to let go of, to make room for these new habits?
It's important to make room for these new initiatives and habits. To do this you will need to decide what to let go or say "NO" to, so that there is time available. So list the things you will no longer do or will delegate. It might be limiting time on emails and Facebook, eliminating TV so you get to bed earlier, or getting a staff member to do those low value repetitive tasks that must be done but are taking too much of your time.
7) What is the first step to achieving each GOAL?
Each GOAL then needs an action step towards achieving it. If you don't have action, then your GOAL is really just a nice idea that probably won't happen. Following the example above, a first action step could be: Making a 12 month marketing plan to get the extra $200,000 profit. (Calculation: $600,000 sales x 33% margin).
Action Points
1) Set aside 30 minutes in your diary and go through the above exercise.
2) Find someone you can show the answers to, who will help keep you accountable. Writing down your goals and sharing them with someone else makes you statistically way more likely to succeed!
So I have put together 7 empowering questions that will get you focused and ready to make this your best year ever.
I recommend you allocate at least 30 minutes to go through these questions and answer them with as much detail as you can.
1) What were my biggest accomplishments for 2015?
Think back to some of the wins you had last year, the things you did well that you were really proud of. Not just in business but also personally.
2) What were the biggest mistakes I made in 2015?
This is a chance to review what went wrong - important as you don't want to make the same mistakes again.
3) What skills have I improved? What lessons did I learn in 2015?
Take a few minutes to reflect on what you learned.
4) What are my 3 biggest business and personal GOALS for 2016?
Make these into "SMART" GOALS - Specific, Meaningful, Action-Orientated, Realistic (but challenging enough to motivate you!), and Timely.
For example "To double the profits in my business from $200,000 to $400,000 by 31st December 2016. I will then use this extra money to get rid of the business loan of $200,000."
5) What new habits do I need to achieve my GOALS?
To achieve your GOALS you will need to do some things differently this year. If you do the same things as last year you will get the same results.
For example, a new habit for the goal above might be measuring sales weekly to see if you are on track; new initiatives might include developing new/different marketing strategies to get more leads or improving sales skills to increase conversions.
6) What do I need to let go of, to make room for these new habits?
It's important to make room for these new initiatives and habits. To do this you will need to decide what to let go or say "NO" to, so that there is time available. So list the things you will no longer do or will delegate. It might be limiting time on emails and Facebook, eliminating TV so you get to bed earlier, or getting a staff member to do those low value repetitive tasks that must be done but are taking too much of your time.
7) What is the first step to achieving each GOAL?
Each GOAL then needs an action step towards achieving it. If you don't have action, then your GOAL is really just a nice idea that probably won't happen. Following the example above, a first action step could be: Making a 12 month marketing plan to get the extra $200,000 profit. (Calculation: $600,000 sales x 33% margin).
Action Points
1) Set aside 30 minutes in your diary and go through the above exercise.
2) Find someone you can show the answers to, who will help keep you accountable. Writing down your goals and sharing them with someone else makes you statistically way more likely to succeed!