New Year resolutions are such cliche and familiar tones we hear and read quite frequently around this time of the year. Until recently, I didn’t bother much about the values of setting resolutions for a new year. Like many, I didn’t believe that goal setting should be bound by a set date and timeline. And I still think that we can define resolutions at any time of the year and whenever it’s necessary to do so. However, now that I’m a full-time entrepreneur, I have learned the importance of having new year’s resolutions. They are meant to help us focus, to build and to keep track of our business progress.
https://rstyle.me/+sOQwplYFbtr170fl3sx3Mg
After spending most of 2019 strategizing, analyzing, and investigating, I’ve learned that the most important aspect of being a business owner is planning, budgeting, and scheduling. I also learned that networking, reading and taking care of myself are crucial in reducing stress and maintaining a positive outlook on life and work. These learnings will serve as business and personal resolutions for the next year and decade. And that’s not all, here are the 10 business and personal resolutions every entrepreneur should consider in 2020 and beyond.
Business resolutions
1 | Build a Marketing Budget
Every business, big or small, must have a defined budget for their marketing activities each year. There are a number of reasons why a small business needs a marketing budget as discussed in this article. Therefore, set some time aside in the next 2 weeks to identify how much you want to spend on your advertising and marketing activities.
2 | Network
Networking is one of the most important business activities entrepreneurs should add to their new year’s resolutions. Although they can take up some of our operational time in the office, it’s a necessary way to build relationships, find leads and gain knowledge. More on this subject here.
3 | Delegate and outsource
As small business owners, we take it upon ourselves to develop and execute business activities. And even though we don’t enjoy some of these tasks, we like to be in charge of everything, as it should be. But if your goal in 2020 is to grow your business, then focus efforts on delegating and outsourcing some tasks to experts and staff. For example, if you’re considering working with influencers in the next decade, then know there are agencies and platforms that can facilitate the selection process. You don’t have to reach out to influencers directly unless you know them and are familiar with their work.
https://rstyle.me/+8KbU4pPjcxGSrdicUMx0SQ
4 | Read blogs
Blogs can never be dead. There are tons of valuable information, tips, and ideas that are available in blogs and for free. As an entrepreneur, reading blogs can help you gain immediate knowledge or find answers to business questions. I like to bookmark my favorite blogs and sign up to their email lists to access the latest updates about content creation, blogging, and SEO. Some of my favourite blog resources are Scoopit, Bloglovin, and Pinterest.
Personal Resolutions
5 | Think outside the box
Thinking outside the box helps find new ways to solve problems. It’s also one of the advantages available to entrepreneurs as we have the freedom and the choice to practice nonconformity more so than corporate employees. The concept of thinking outside the box is very uncommon in the corporate world since many don’t encourage nonconformity.
There are a number of ways to think outside the box. One of the simplest ways to do so is to draw a picture (a chart) of a challenge and possible ways of solving it. Drawing engages your right brain and frees your logical left brain from thinking about an issue or “the box” the same way.
6 | Exercise Regularly
Exercising is one of the top 3 new year’s resolutions people make, and the hardest to commit to. But what if I told you that exercising stimulates your creativity and improves cognitive performance including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills? As midlife entrepreneurs, many of us are already experiencing some challenges with our cognitive performance. Some of these challenges are due to perimenopause and menopause for female entrepreneurs over 40. Exercising isn’t just a way to lose weight and be fit, it is an important lifestyle change that helps us deal with health issues. A simple 30-min workout such as walking helps improve productivity & reduce pain from sitting down at a desk for an extended period of time.
7 | Take up a new challenge
Taking up a new challenge is a great way to grow as an individual and to gain new skills and knowledge. It is also a way to have fun and achieve happiness. As an entrepreneur, it helps remind us that we are stronger and more capable than we give ourselves credit for. We have the tendency to underestimate ourselves and taking up a challenge forces us to respond in ways beyond what we thought possible. This is one of the new year’s resolutions I’ll be personally focussed on pursuing in 2020.
8 | Plan a Vacation
Planning a vacation is a fun resolution to seek in the new year. It is also a great way to unwind and take a break from the stress of running a business. An entrepreneur’s mind is constantly working overtime on strategies to grow and sustain the business that she can run the risk of burnout.
According to Scientific American, “downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both achieve our highest levels of performance and simply form stable memories in everyday life.”
Taking time off for mindfulness is possibly the greatest new year resolution entrepreneurs can give themselves and their businesses. More on the benefits of traveling here.
9 | Volunteer
Volunteering is a social cause many love to engage in and add to their list of new year’s resolutions. In addition to building valuable connections with clients and prospects, volunteering can help give your business a human touch and relatability. People will be able to identify with you as a person and appreciate the effort, time and money you invest in helping your community. This is a gratifying achievement with a great sense of contribution and giving back.
10 | Pray / Meditate
Praying and meditating are natural ways for humans to gain gratitude and happiness. We face numerous entrepreneurial challenges on an ongoing basis that negatively impact our state of well-being and health. When we pray or meditate, we experience comfort, hope, and feel contentment. These feelings give us motivation and energy to work through stress and hard times.
Summary
Like most female entrepreneurs, I look forward to growing my business in 2020 and gaining the trust and support of my readers. My resolutions for the year will include taking up a new challenge and becoming more efficient and productive through outsourcing. Now it’s your turn to share your resolution for 2020. Would you?
