1New-Years-Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions are a popular way to make a commitment to address a goal, project or reform behavior in some meaningful way. It is my opinion, as individuals, the number of people who actually sustain their new year’s resolutions throughout any given new year is low compared to the people who ditch their resolutions by spring. However, there is hope. If you would like to start your new year off with a bang, I have six easy steps that will ensure  you make resolutions that you keep year after year.

 

  •  Take inventory of important lessons from last year.  It’s important to recognize what worked and what didn’t.  Make a note of important wins or losses from month to month or quarter to quarter. What area(s) did you or your company excel in? What area(s) did you or your company need improvements in? Be sure to write down all of your successes and what steps you took to achieve positive results. On the contrary, review your failures and the actions that led to poor results. Assessing your victories and failures will be a great learning lesson for your new year. You will avoid costly mistakes and relish in and repeat victories.
  •  Get expert advice from a mentor or coach. It’s always a great idea to have mentors in your corner who have already achieved the level of success you desire.  Be cautious when choosing a mentor or business coach. Many entrepreneurs promote bright, shiny programs that promise phenomenal results.  However, not all of them deliver and may not be the perfect fit for your industry or niche. In addition, no matter whom the coach is, if you know that you will not be able to implement their programs or teachings in your business within a, 90 to 120 day timeline, you might want to pass for the time being. Be certain that the mentor or coach you choose has experience and has achieved a certain amount of success in their business.
  •   Survey your customers.  The best way to learn what works for your ideal clients and prospects is to ask them. Your current clients will be able to give you feedback on what they liked and did not liked if you conduct a survey asking for their opinions. Surveys allow you the opportunity to get feedback in a non-threatening way. You can even provide year-end surveys with incentives to encourage participation from those on your mailing list.
  •   Identify opportunities for growth. Focus on the biggest growth opportunities in your business. Is it a new product or service that represents the biggest area where you can gain revenue? Take time to review your income streams and focus on the areas that produce the best results for your business? What can you add, modify or delete to make that area better? Make a list of your biggest growth opportunities and tackle each one throughout the year.
  •  Set measurable goals.  The best goals are metric based and S.M.A.R.T. Smart goals are specific and strategic, measurable, actionable (attainable), relevant (realistic), and time-censored. Figure out what area of your business needs modified goals. Do you need an overhaul in sales, marketing, finance, operations and/or customer service? If you are an entrepreneur or service based professional, do you need to acquire assistance or outsource certain projects? It’s important to write down exactly what areas you need improvement in and set a plan of action in motion to actually achieve your goals.
  •  Monitor your progress. Having goals are great. However, if you never take the time to monitor and track your results and progress, you run the risk of ditching your goals and may lack the motivation to continue on the right path. Monitoring and tracking your progress is a great motivation for staying on task toward achieving outstanding results. Make sure you track your progress on a calendar or in a daily journal. The ability to look back at how far you’ve come in a particular area, will definitely serve you well in the long run.

If you apply the six steps listed above, I’m certain that you will do a lot better at achieving your business goals and sticking to any resolutions that you make in the next year.

What are your suggestions for sustaining your new year’s resolutions? Be sure to share your secrets or tips in the comments below.

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This article is written by Lori A. Manns. Want to use this article for your website, blog or newsletter? No problem. Here’s what you must include: Lori A. Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group your marketing and sales success mentor, and founder of Marketing For Trailblazers System;TM  that shows you how to get more clients and sales for your business, guaranteed. To purchase consulting  services on marketing, advertising or sales and, learn how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.