It's a new year, and like many, I made the bold choice to step on a scale. Now why did I do that? Yikes, I am up a whole 30 pounds since the summer of 2020. I booked all my doctors appointments and a nutritionist the next day! Of all people, I know the numbers don't lie. I am always helping my CEO Chick Tribe and clients look at the data to develop strategies around what we can measure.
Needless to say my goal is to lose this weight in Q1 and keep it off. How long can I blame the quarantine for the fire that happens as my thighs collide when I walk? Ok all bad jokes aside! As we start 2022, people around the world are making new year's resolutions - from staying healthy, losing weight, or eating better, but what about our business?
All of us have set New Year's Resolutions at some point, but how successful are we at seeing them through?
More than half of all resolutions fail. But this year, you can see results by implementing several strategies to setting the right resolution, and creating a realistic plan.
Here's how:
1. Make Sure You're Picking The Right Resolution
Did you know, according to the Time Management Firm, Franklin Covey, that one-third of resolutioners don’t make it past the end of January?
A lot of these resolutions fail because they’re not the right resolutions. And a resolution may be wrong for one of three main reasons:
It’s a resolution created based on what someone else (or society) is telling you to change.
It's too vague
You don’t have a realistic plan for achieving your resolution.
Instead, your goals should be S.M.A.R.T. Here's a recap for some and news to others...
Specific. If your resolution is to make more profit, how much would you consider a success? Come up with a percentage or a solid figure. The clearer you can define the specifics of your resolution, the better chance you have to achieve it.
Measurable. It’s not enough to say “I want to get more customers.” It’s better to know your current user base and decide the actual number you intend to grow your business.
Achievable. Be ambitious, but realistic. When you make a New Year’s resolution for your business, know what you’re capable of.
Relevant. Determine how these goals can benefit your business in the long run. If you’re not forecasting relevant resolutions, it’s time to rethink your game plan.
Time-bound. Set milestones for your goals. A deadline forces you to carry out your plans.
2. Create Your Plan
Your end goal won't just magically appear. So, you need a plan for what to do!
Map it out
Create an action plan
Put it on the calendar and send out the invites to your team
3. Track Your Progress
The brain is infamous for seeking out short-term rewards over long-term rewards, so if you’re not tracking your goals it’s easy to fail. After all, you haven’t “felt” any progress!
4. Start Again When You Fail – and Don’t Feel Bad About it!
Everyone fails eventually, but not everyone realizes that failure is an integral part of actually achieving your goals, as it helps you learn and move forward more successfully. By learning, and trying again, you’ll actually be in much better shape to complete your goals or New Year's Resolutions in the future!
Let me remind you, you are not alone. Our vision only works when we do! My team and I did some research and found the most popular New Year’s Resolutions for business owners.
We’ve put together a few of the top New Year’s Resolutions for business success in 2022!
1. Expand Your Digital Presence
How good is your e-commerce? Are you connecting with your customer on all social media platforms? Do you regularly publish content that can passively acquire new customers?
2. Delegate
There are so many things to do when you're running a business. Then we wonder why we're so tired and frazzled and have no time to do anything else. Let someone else do some of the tasks for a change. Delegation is the key to a healthy work-life balance.
3. Promote Your Business Consistently
Too often the task of promoting a small business slips to the bottom of the to-do list, crowded out by urgent tasks. But if you want to attract new customers, you have to make promotion a priority.
4. Make Business Planning a Weekly Event
Set aside time each week to review, adjust, and look forward—or even better, make business planning a part of each day. Not only will this help you avoid costly mistakes and stay on track, but you'll feel more focused and relaxed.
5. Expand Your Network
When you’re swamped with work and trying to check off your must-do list, it can be difficult to visualize adding anything that won’t have an immediate impact on your business to your already overpacked schedule. This is why a good resolution for 2022 is to continue expanding your network.
This is one my team and I are currently putting into action. We are creating CEO Chick Chapters around the U.S. We had over 50 women respond to our solicitation emails and posts with a desire to lead a chapter in their city.
Whatever business goal you decide to implement this coming year, be sure to give yourself the best chance to achieve them by making them specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely (SMART). Smart goals will prevent you from losing sight of your New Year’s resolutions or overall giving up, and instead, you’ll achieve your resolutions and become even more prosperous in 2022.
Remember, to achieve your goals - you have to keep working on them! If you apply these top New Year's resolutions throughout the year, you'll not only feel better, but you'll have more energy to put into your business and make it the successful year you've always dreamed of.
Feel Free to Ask for Help!
Whether it's a big or small goal for your business, for sure you would want to grow your business in 2022. We can help you make sure that you’re running your business in a way that is good for you!
Visit our website www.ceochicksonline.com or follow our Social Media account and connect with us! We can help you crush those 2022 goals!
HAVE A SUCCESSFUL YEAR!
Coleen Otero
Site credits: NY Times