Many small business owners may set resolutions they hope to pursue in the coming year. Maybe it’s about finding and retaining good employees, adopting AI and other new technologies, or improving work-life balance. There are no statistics on how many small business owners set resolutions. But having resolutions is one thing; seeing them through is quite another. Only about 4% of people stick with their resolutions. Here are 5 strategies you can adopt to make not abandoning good resolutions without making them a reality.
1. Strategize on how to make a resolution a reality
As you do with any business activity, you need a plan. You may be able to visualize the end result, but what do you need to do to get there?
What to do: Create steps to follow in pursuing a resolution. For example, if you want to add AI to your business, your steps may include: (1) researching how AI can be deployed in your business, (2) researching which products are suited to your situation, (3) reviewing your budget to be sure you can afford the products you desire, (4) training staff on how to use new AI-related products, etc.
2. Schedule activities
If you don’t set aside time to pursue your resolutions, they probably won’t get done. Like saving money from what’s left other rather than budgeting funds for savings, hoping there’s leftover time to work on resolutions is probably folly.
What to do: Make regular entries on your calendar for actions related to your resolutions. For example, if a resolution is to be better organized, then block out time to tackle the chaos that can build up on your desk, or within your organization.
3. Review your resolutions as time goes on
Maybe what seemed like a great endeavor on January 1 turns out to be unrealistic or not worth pursuing.
What to do: At the end of each month, look over your list of New Year’s Resolutions and decide what you will continue to work on.
4. Recognize and reward achievements
If you have set milestones for a particular resolution, when you achieve them be sure to take a bow. If you experience failures, don’t beat yourself up; just go on.
What to do: For me, I get satisfaction checking off items from my to-do list (which could include steps listed in #1 above and scheduled per #2 above). Find ways to note how you’re progressing toward achieving your resolution.
5. Don’t go it alone
Accountability is a useful tool in changing a habit or completing a task. Statistics show that you’re only 10% likely to complete a goal if you just have the idea to do it, but that increases to 95% if you’re accountable to someone else for the goal.
What to do: You probably know or have heard that when dieting, having a diet BFF can greatly improve the chances of success. You may not have a business BFF, but this type of accountability for pursuing business resolutions can be found in a number of ways:
- Get a business coach
- Join a business group
- Engage your staff in the goals
Final thought
“Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt
If you’ve written or revised your business plan before the end of last year, then that may serve as your “resolutions” for this year. But if you haven’t set any course of action for the new year, commit your resolutions to writing—a paper list or something on your computer or smartphone that you can look at to remind yourself. Then implement the strategies to help you stick with your resolutions and achieve success.
