About 60% of us admit that we make New Year’s resolutions, but only about 8% are successful in achieving them. Regardless of the outcome a year ago, the majority of us go right ahead and make a new set of resolutions–hoping for the best. This year we want to inspire you to see the next twelve months differently and find success and happiness in wherever your business is.
Here are 5 small changes that will make a difference in your business and your life to help you start the new year off right:
Don’t promise more than you can deliver – you want to deliver value to your clients, but if the desire is bigger than the possibility, you have to scale back. Desire vs. possibility. Weigh them. Stop, think. A lot of the time, desire is 10 and possibility is 2. If you’ve apologized for missed deadlines or not meeting expectations in 2017, examine how you can set realistic expectations this year.
Keep it simple silly – systems perform best when they have simple designs rather than complex ones. KISS is also an acronym for “keep it short and simple” and “keep it simple and straightforward”. Ask a friend to hear out your idea or plan for a new product, if they don’t understand the product or how to get to the end result, step back and simplify it.
Give more than you take – THIS is how you build personal and professional relationships. Share your knowledge, your connections, and help fellow businesses. You never know where life will take you, but 99% of people do not forget those that helped them along the way. It’s just about listening to what people want, and if you can make an introduction or a connection — or even a simple thank-you — doing it.
Put the social back in your social media – Cut through the clutter of all that content you just don’t care about and take a moment to get back to basics. Remember the sociology behind social media, and why this whole thing started — as a way to allow people to more easily keep in touch with those who matter. Build relationships and it will pave the way for your marketing goals.
Bring your “Why” back in to focus. Most of the time when people say they have no time, what they really mean is “I don’t see the value in that task”, that task makes them feel overwhelmed, or they don’t understand the task”. Why are you in the business you are in? Why did you want to become a business owner? If what you are doing now doesn’t make you happy or doesn’t make sense, change it. Share your goals with your team around you too so they understand the “Why” behind their actions too!
These 5 sayings do not belong to us, but are churned around the internet on motivational quote cards, pinterest boards, and social media. Our happiness and success rely on thinking constructive thoughts, acting with intent and creating strong relationships with others. Small changes made consistently over time can have a big impact on your life. Actions you can take starting today.
Happy New Year!
