As home business owners turn the page to January 2018, it’s important to take a look back at 2017 and get a solid understanding of what drove success and what might have derailed it. Reviewing the past 12 months is essential for creating and implementing a solid business plan for the year ahead. Reflection is necessary for growth.
It’s helpful to view your 2017 calendar as a home business diary. Go month-by-month and recall which of your meetings, outreach and completed action items helped you achieve success. Then take an honest look at what might have held you back. Sometimes it can be fear that keeps us from achieving our goals, as I discuss in my book Fearless Living: 8-Life Changing Values for Breakthrough Success. If fear played any role in keeping you from achieving the objectives you set for your home business, make 2018 the year that you dedicate to pushing past those fears. Identify and document those fears. Focus on these three things: don’t settle, don’t give in, and don’t give up.
A home business requires being honest with yourself as both the business owner and its most valued “employee.” Always celebrate success, but also maintain a strong awareness of what was less successful in achieving the goals you set. I like to remind myself not to drink too much of my own “Kool-Aid.” Looking back at last year, make a list of new customers and revenue increases, but also be mindful of the less tangible objectives that netted results when you were compassionate, collaborated with colleagues and showed respect to others. Make a list to insure you look for opportunities to repeat actions that lead to results in 2018.
A home business that demonstrates success over a year’s time, will be likely to succeed in the future. After taking a long look back at 2017, turn the page and take an even more comprehensive look at how you need to adapt your home business for 2018. Agility is key in inspiring home business owners to seek the next level of success and meet all the potential that a new year offers. Focus on these five “changes” to make sure that you are agile as an entrepreneur and are prepared to adapt to whatever comes your way in the year ahead:
1 – Change Direction: Home business owners all experience changes in business and personal life. Use the strategies and tactics that have always helped you adapt to change, and develop new ones to address unforeseeable changes ahead.
2 – Change is Constant: 2017 was a year of changes for home businesses, especially in technology. Get ready for more changes in 2018 and make sure you keep your eye out for things that may affect your business and always be ready to face any new challenges.
3 – Change for the Better: In 2017 did you do your best to be disciplined and stay determined? Aim higher for yourself in 2018, and watch your home business grow.
4 – “Know-How” to Change: Learn for the future by building on knowledge you gained in 2017 and devise strategies that will encourage you to continue learning more next year. Apply your new knowledge in devising your 2018 growth plan.
5 – Plan for Change: Look closely at your home business plan for 2017 and see what you need to add – or subtract – for 2018. You may even decide to create a whole new plan for 2018 to drive for even greater results. You may change how you arrive at your goals but don’t give up and change your goals because of fear.
Most importantly, use the New Year to make resolutions that will bring health and happiness to your and your family and success for your home business!
