It’s January, which means everyone has been thinking about New Year’s resolutions, what needs to change, and how to make those changes.
Truth be told, we’re already at the end of January, and for many, that means whatever resolutions were made have already been forgotten or abandoned. But it’s not too late to start making meaningful changes!
So, how does that look for business owners?
Here are a few ideas I’d like to discuss.
Set Goals
One way to start fresh in the new year is to set goals. This is something I’ve struggled with in the past because I didn’t know how to do it effectively. However, at the end of 2024, my business coach held a training session on goal-setting, and it was awesome! I also researched methods online and found that my favorite approach is the simplest: The SMART Method.
The SMART Method helps you set clear and effective goals:
- Specific: Know exactly what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Make sure you can track your progress.
- Achievable: Set goals that are realistic and attainable.
- Relevant: Focus on what matters most to you.
- Time-bound: Set a deadline to stay on track.
It’s a simple and effective way to stay focused and motivated!
How is it done?
Start by writing down a specific goal you want to achieve this year. Make sure it’s measurable, achievable, and important to you – then set a deadline. Goals can be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly—the key is to track your progress consistently.
Since this is my first year formally setting goals, I decided to write down just three for the first quarter. I’ll review and adjust them at the end of March 2025:
- Move to Greenville – This has been a long-time goal, and now it finally feels achievable and within reach.
- Set up my Remote Online Notary business – I’ve been facing technical challenges with the platform I chose, but I’m determined to resolve them.
- Launch The Grateful VA full-time – This goal ties directly to #1, and the timeline is fast approaching!
Breaking these down into manageable steps has made the process more motivating and less overwhelming.
Evaluate Your Tools
Another way to start fresh is to take inventory of the tools you use in your business. Ask yourself whether they help or hinder your productivity. If they’re helpful, keep them. If not, consider finding better alternatives or delegating tasks that are slowing you down. These are my three favorite tools:
- Mailchimp – This email platform helps you create and send professional emails, newsletters, and campaigns. It also offers automation and performance reports, which save time and keep you connected to your audience. An added benefit is that you can create a quick landing page or website even if you don’t yet have a host or domain.
- Canva Pro – Canva Pro is a versatile design tool for creating social media posts, presentations, and more. With its templates, fonts, and photo options, it’s perfect for making your business look polished without needing extensive design skills. The Pro version also lets you organize your projects and remove image backgrounds easily.
- Pallyy – This social media management tool simplifies planning, scheduling, and tracking posts. Its user-friendly calendar and analytics features make it easy to organize content and track performance, even across multiple accounts.
Productivity Hacks
Lastly, create some productivity hacks to help your business run more smoothly. Here are a few that work for me:
- Silence Notifications – Turn off notifications on your phone and laptop to avoid distractions and stay focused.
- Create SOPs – Document step-by-step instructions for repetitive tasks (Standard Operating Procedures). This saves time and makes it easier to train others.
- Batch Create and Schedule – Work on similar tasks, such as social media posts or emails, all at once. Then, schedule them ahead of time to stay organized and free up your schedule.
Taking the time to evaluate your business might feel tedious, but it’s worth it for the clarity and direction it provides.
By setting goals, evaluating tools, and using productivity hacks, you’ll position yourself for success in 2025.
And, as always, if you find you need help with some of these tasks, you know who to call!
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