Goal Ideas for A Successful New Year

Still wondering what your new year goal(s) should be? It can be tough to pinpoint exactly what you should be working on. It’s okay, though. Everything falls into place the way it should, when it should.

There are many goals a small business owner can work toward in the new year, but you will want to tailor your goal(s) to your passions and needs. What sets your mind to jump with possibilities? What gets you excited when you think about the outcome? What project fits in with your lifestyle or, if you prefer, goes against your lifestyle but still resonates with you? You might also work on something that will later help you to finish projects. Whatever seems right for you.

This list will help get you thinking, but I really want you to choose one or more goals that you are truly passionate about, whether they are on this list or not. Make it personal. Make it about you.

1. Make time for a personal project on a regular basis. Work on it on a day off each week. Spend 30 minutes each day working on this project. Take a personal retreat to work on that poem.
2. Organize your online files, etc. Delete old documents, photographs, and downloads from your computer if you’re sure you won’t need them, then back up what you keep. Organize what you keep in folders and sub-folders. Do the same with email, being sure to unsubscribe from anything that no longer serves your purpose. And clear your inbox, filing what you need to keep, reading and taking notes on what is left, before deleting what you won’t keep. Start the new year with a clean slate. Nothing in your inbox!
3. Keep an idea journal. Don’t use a flimsy journal that will soon fall apart with constant use. Look for a sturdy one, or a hard cover notebook. Write down every idea you have for stories, articles, blog posts, and other projects. Keep adding to it over time, as new ideas pop into your head. To spice things up a bit, divide the journal or notebook into tabbed sections, and create a title page for each. You may not ever use some of the ideas, but you’ll always have projects to choose from, organized in one place.
4. Commit to writing one blog post per week, and make it special. I’m not talking about a short 300 to 500 word post. I’m talking 1,000 or more words, including a photo, a take-away, and a little personality. Make each post matter, with important information, how-to’s, and whatever else you can think off.
5. Make your health a priority. Mental, physical, spiritual, and nutritional health. This should come before anything else. Take walks when possible, jog, or bike. Set up an exercise routine, even if it’s just getting up from your desk for a five-minute mini workout every hour. Eat healthy, know and practice your beliefs, and stay positive. A healthy business owner is a happy business owner.
6. Add a little personality to your website. While having a more professional looking profile picture is important, a couple of appropriate pictures of you having fun, or out with your family, can be added to your about page so your fans can see the more fun-loving side of you. You could even add a picture of your pet. Read your site content. Is it stale or stiff sounding? Consider adding a little of your natural personality to the page. You still want to be professional, but sound fun and interesting as well. Giving a little tidbit of your personal life every so often will help your readers to associate with you more.
7. Be courageous! You can do it. You are good enough! Set a goal for something you have always wanted to do, even if you think you can’t pull it off. If you have always wanted to co-author a book with someone, send them a letter or an email. They may agree to work on something with you, they may not, but you will never know until you try. And, if they don’t, it isn’t the end of the world. Keep trying for what you want.
8. Do you have a stack of books you’ve been wanting to read. Fiction books help to expand the imagination, and nonfiction books help better your personal or business life in other ways. Spend the time needed to get those and other books read, and you will also be relaxing the body.
9. Put that old computer or laptop to rest. I know it seems like a hassle, but it will be worth it. A new laptop will run faster, and allow you to use necessary programs that may not work on your current device. Before getting rid of the old one, be sure all your files, pictures, and other necessary information makes it onto the new laptop. Then have everything wiped from the old one, and set it up to use again. What might you do with your old device? I gave mine to my daughter for high school, then we wiped it again and gave it to her sister. You could keep it as a back up, or donate it to someone in need. You might even be able to sell it for a little bit of money, to put into your business savings account.
10. Update the profiles on your blogs, sites, social and professional media. Make sure the main profile pictures on each match up, and add a little personality to the description. Maybe just a tiny bit of personal information. Especially if you’re selling services. Readers like to feel a personal connection with the people they buy from.

Action Steps:

1. Choose a goal, or come up with one of your own, to work on consistently throughout the year.
2. Schedule regular sessions for working on this goal throughout the year, writing it all in your planner.
3. Work toward that goal and, when you’ve completed it, treat yourself and commit to starting a new goal.

#createyoursuccess

Would you like to share your goals for the new year, or give an update on how things are coming along? Please share with us in the comments, or email me personally at shannonlbuck@gmail.com. I always reply to comments and emails.

~ Shannon