It’s finally that time to say goodbye to 2020 and ring in the new year that we all have been anticipating. As we look back on everything that was, as entrepreneurs, we can appreciate everything last year taught us from changing the way we conduct business to embracing the digital world. Now, it’s time to put what we have learned into action in 2021.
In consideration of what was and hope for what is to come, we’ve put together a list of 14 New Year’s resolutions that are perfect for entrepreneurs. Start the year off right by committing to some (or all) of these resolutions, to improve your quality of life and take your business to the next level.
Focus on quality, not quantity. Think of it this way, you can blast out ten Instagram posts and an e-blast every day, but there are ways you can connect with your current and potential consumers better by doing less. Focus on how your consumers like to be interacted with and where they are showing up. From there you can truly reach out through mediums that they will engage on and cultivate a community of strong consumer relationships.
Share your expertise. The power of sharing is life-changing. Move from the fixed mindset that you have to keep all the insight and information you learn to yourself to avoid competition. And instead, learn into giving back. You never know when it might create an opportunity of a lifetime for yourself, or better yet, someone else.
Invest in a business coach/mentor. The best way to achieve success is to learn from others who have achieved it themselves. Investing in someone who can teach you the ropes and how they overcame obstacles along the way is priceless. Start by reaching out to professionals in your industry.
Think long-term. Some goals take more than just one quarter or calendar year to achieve. This was a huge lesson with the global pandemic. Don’t be afraid to put some huge resolutions on your list that may extend beyond 2021. Write out what you’d like to see your business become and think about the steps you have to take to make it a reality. Think of it as a plan motivator to stay on track throughout the year.
Prepare for the unexpected. The biggest lesson of last year was being ready and willing to adapt to anything thrown your way, which some may say is a known fact that comes with being an entrepreneur. However, many businesses, unfortunately, had to shut down or scale down due to COVID, but there were also many that were able to thrive and kick off with success. Understand that you don’t always have to know your future plan, but be prepared for the unexpected.
Fight burnout with balance. Any entrepreneur knows this isn’t a 9 to 5 gig. Running a business means working endless hours and on weekends to achieve set goals, but burnout is also very real and can affect your mental and physical health. So, make time in your busy schedule to recharge by sleeping more at night, outsourcing tasks, spending time with loved ones, and exercising more. Shifting a small percentage of your free time to yourself will have big benefits.
Update your website and social media platforms. How long has it been since you’ve updated these platforms? Many entrepreneurs may overlook and think “set it, and forget it.” This can be hurting your business more than you know because digital trends are always changing. Get in touch with your site designer and marketing team to ensure everything is and stays up to date.
Revive projects you abandoned. We might all be guilty of starting a project and then moving on to something else that sounds better at the time. But, it may be time to take another look at those ideas to see what could actually show promise. And even if it doesn’t work out, at least you can say that you tried.
Improve aspects of your health. In an article, one author explained that 80 percent of people who make a New Year’s resolution to get healthy, fail. The problem here is people are wanting to change their actions without enough self-discipline that it takes to develop these beneficial habits. So, get off your screen once in a while and train yourself to workout and meal plan throughout the week.
Clean out your workspace. This is a fairly easy resolution you can stick to. Having a clean and organized space can help your mental and emotional state, plus it will give instant gratification because you can tangibly see improvement when you’re finished.
Embrace the power of technology. It’s something that is absolutely necessary for your business to thrive. Last year proved that entrepreneurs who didn’t implement the latest technology we’re often left behind. Make it a point to use current technology to your advantage, because your competitors will be too.
Get out of your comfort zone. You can only grow when you get out of what you’re comfortable with. It can be scary and we’re not saying just dive into your biggest fears overnight, but work on conquering them one step at a time. Speak at that event with over 1,000 people, create that webinar, talk to someone you’ve never met before. You’ll never know what opportunities lie on the other side of your comfort zone if you don’t take chances.
Commit to daily self-care. We get it, entrepreneurs have busy schedules. But remember that you can’t fill from an empty cup. That cup being yourself. Make time for self-care throughout your workday, whether it’s a mini spa session at home or spending time with loved ones after a long day in the office. Self-care isn’t a privilege, it’s a priority.
Work on mindfulness and self-awareness. And of all things you should do in the new year, make time to understand yourself and how that relates to the world around you. When you become more knowledgeable in who you are as a person and an entrepreneur, you can truly work through anything with confidence. Plus, it never hurts to expand your consciousness!
How many of these are you adding to your resolution’s list? Let us know on our social media channels @ewomennetwork. From your family at eWomenNetwork, we wish you all a very Happy New Year! May the best be yet to come.
