Sticking to your business’ New Year’s resolutions doesn’t have to be hard
Ready or not, the year is going to be over before you know it. Everyone has high hopes for the new year. If you’re among the many who plan on ringing in the new year with some ambitious resolutions for yourself or your business, you might want to check out the following tips to help you stick to them.
1. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
When deciding on your goals, make sure you don’t overwhelm yourself or your staff. Some of your aspirations might not be things that can be realistically accomplished in less than a year, so you should start small. For example, you wouldn’t vow to climb Mount Everest next month if you’ve never even been camping. Start with small mountains and hiking. Build your strength and knowledge until you’re ready to move on to bigger ones. Starting small builds confidence and is a better approach in the long run.
2. Do your homework.
You’ll be much more likely to achieve your resolutions if there aren’t surprises around every corner and all kinds of unexpected hoops to jump through. If you do your research and plan things out, you’ll be prepared for all the surprises and hoops, because you’ll know what you need to know and have what you need in order to be successful.
3. Share your business’ New Year’s goals.
If you’re making New Year’s resolutions for your store or restaurant, chances are that you’re gonna need the help of your employees to make them happen. Make sure that everyone is on the same page and working toward the same goals by sharing them with your staff. You might also consult with your staff about what resolutions you should set for your business. They’re sure to have some helpful ideas and insight.
4. Again, share your goals.
That’s right, this one is listed twice. Getting everyone on the same page and spreading out responsibility aren’t the only reasons to let other people in on your plans. If you tell someone what your resolutions are, you’re more likely to stick to them. Writing them down works, too. If your resolutions never leave your head, they’re just thoughts. To make them concrete, tell someone about them or write them down. They’ll be much harder to forget about and you’ll feel more accountable, which goes a long way in getting things done.
5. Break it down.
If you choose a New Year’s resolution that’s going to take a lot of time, work, or other resources, you might consider breaking it up into steps. Doing so will keep you and your staff from becoming overwhelmed. Call a meeting and plan everything out. What’s the first thing you have to do to get started on your task? What steps come between where you are now and your ultimate goal? Figure these out, make a plan with tentative due dates for each step, and make your plan happen. Create a task checklist, delegate, and manage your goals in bite-sized chunks.
6. Remove resolution roadblocks.
Removing roadblocks is a great and easy way to increase your chances of following through on your business’ New Year’s resolutions. The more you have to struggle to get things done, the less likely you are to do them. Eliminate anything you can that will make matters more complicated and frustrating. If there’s something you can do to make your goals easier to reach, then do it. You have enough on your plate as it is, so don’t make your resolutions more difficult than necessary.
7. Learn and move on.
If you have a setback, don’t let it be the end of the world. Take a moment to reflect on what went wrong and why it happened. Focus on how it could have been avoided and make a plan to keep it from happening again. Beating yourself up or being negative will just hurt your confidence and make it more difficult to try again. Instead, be positive and focus on the progress you’ve made, even if it was just making the decision to improve something.
8. Pat yourself on the back.
When you and your staff make progress toward your business’s goals, make sure you celebrate each step of the way. Doing so will keep everyone involved happy and less stressed, and it’ll get them excited to keep making progress. When you finally meet your New Year’s resolution, be sure to thank those who helped make it happen, including yourself, and then celebrate even more! It’ll all be worth it when you’re finally able to enjoy your accomplishments.
First time? Start small with your business’ New Year’s resolutions
Seeing your business’ New Years resolutions through this year will make it even easier to make new ones happen next year. Confidence is key. Just one success can boost the confidence of you and your employees, which will make being successful again a breeze. So remember the tips above and stay determined. Start with small successes, build your way up to major achievements, and you and your business will be better than ever in no time. Good luck!
UPDATE: If you’re curious about the TimeForge team’s goals, check out this post on our New Year’s resolutions for 2022.
