New Year's Resolutions.
Do you make them? Or do you hate them? New Year's Resolutions are simply goals for your small business.
And as a solo professional without goals, you won't have a direction...
so you need some.
But many people talk about the downside of creating New Year's Resolutions.
And it's true.
There are downsides.
If you avoid the pitfalls, however, and set resolutions the right way-- you'll see some amazing success in your small business! So what are some of the mistakes some solo professionals make when preparing New Year's Resolutions for their small businesses? Watch out for these: Pitfall #1: Having Too Many Most people create a laundry list of 10 or more BIG resolutions.
The problem is most of these are too big to tackle all at once.
It's just too overwhelming.
What happens? You write a long list, start to do something toward each of them and then you react with inaction and overwhelm -- too many big changes at once aren't sustainable.
So by the end of January, you're done, and feel like you've somehow failed.
Maybe next year.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
Solution: Only work on 2-3 BIG areas at once.
In fact, for best results, create one main theme and use that to drive your actions and direction in 2008.
As you accomplish one goal, set another.
Pitfall #2: Lacking a Clearly Defined Vision Let's say in 2008 you want to "get more clients.
" Sounds like a good goal, right? Wrong.
You're being too vague.
What does "get more clients" mean to you? One new pro bono client? Two one-time clients who pay late and don't appreciate you? Five repeat clients happily paying your full prices and referring you to others? Your vision for what you want needs to be fully defined.
Solution: Create a Vision for your 2008.
What do you want to have-- exactly? Use SMART goals as a way to conceptualize your vision for your small business.
Your goals should be: S: Specific: Answer the questions, who, what, when, where, why & how to get you the greatest clarity.
M: Measurable: Using concrete numbers to determine what you want will make it easier to decide if you got it when you're done.
A: Attainable: Plan your steps so you can get there little by little.
R: Realistic: 20 new clients in a month, when the most you've ever had at any one time is three may not be realistic.
You have to be both willing and able to get your goals done.
T: Time-oriented: Give yourself a time limit for when you'd like to reach your goals.
Monthly or quarterly are good examples.
Pitfall #3: Using Someone Else's Value SystemIf you read a book that says you "should" be doing XYZ or your spouse or some other person in your life wants you to do something that doesn't fit with your value system, then you won't reach for it.
Solution: Think about what you truly want for your business.
What feels right to you, may be different than the "conventional wisdom" of the day.
If you stick to your values and beliefs when creating your resolutions, you'll be most likely to go for it.
Pitfall #4: Trying to Go it Alone Solo professionals and small business owners wear many different hats.
The problem is when you try to do everything all by yourself, you can easily get burnt out and overwhelmed with all the tasks that have to happen.
Solution: You don't have to reach for your resolutions all by yourself.
Get help with your focus and create support systems.
If you're working on a shoestring budget, barter with someone who offers what you want.
Set up systems in your business so various tasks automatically happen for you.
Join a group and get support from the others in the group to help you reach your goals.