How exciting is that?! Another chance to start over. Put 2015 behind you. A new year with fresh possibilities, new opportunities, new beginnings, and second chances awaits!
So what are you going to do over the next nine days to prepare for this wondrous opportunity? This is not the time to sit back and relax. Yes, I know the holidays can be stressful. Yes, I know we are all tired. But those who prepare now to make the most of the coming year have a far better chance at success than those who are sitting back drinking one more cup of eggnog.
If you are one of those ready for a life-changing year, here are nine things you can do - one each day- to help you prepare for your best year yet!
1. Clean out your desk. According to experts, Americans waste almost 30 minutes a day – 180 hours a year – looking for misplaced items. I would wager that there are many things you could do with an extra 180 hours next year.
One of the first steps to getting organized is eliminating the clutter, and one of the first places you should tackle is your desk. Here's a six-step approach to streamlining your workspace.
2. Check your closet. When you work from home, you can think that your wardrobe no longer matters. After all, who sees you, sitting behind your keyboard? It might be true that the only person who sees you is your cat and the UPS man, but there are still a number of reasons to upgrade your wardrobe – or at least make sure your shirt is spaghetti-sauce free.
3. Set your schedule. I, too, am preparing for 2016. And there are a number of changes I plan make this year. I'll bet they are somewhat similar to yours! So let's start 2016 together by looking at some things we can do next year that will pay off in a big way.
The first thing I need to do is look at how I schedule my time. I'm sure you have the same question I do - how do you allow enough time for product creation, customer service, networking, enrichment, research, and just plain goofing off? It is possible – and these hints will help.
4. Create a "Study Group". According to those who have been there before, the key to success in law or business school is getting in with the right study group. These partners not only give you buddies to study with, they keep you accountable and on-task. If you let yourself down, you let down the whole group.
Entrepreneurs have "study groups" also. Only we call them "masterminds." Finding accountability partners can be key to a successful business venture. A good mastermind will be comprised of fellow business people who can support your efforts, help you brainstorm problems, and keep you on schedule, The right mastermind can mean the difference between passing and failing. Here's what to look for in your own “study group.”
5. Get your year-end checkup. At the end of every year or the beginning of the new one, it pays to take a look back to see how you did. Figuring out where you are now not only lets you appreciate how far you've come, it also helps identify areas where you may be lagging behind your aspirations. Here are few of the numbers you can look at to evaluate your business.
6. Keep your combinations safe. ID theft is a very real threat. In fact, ID theft complaints are the number-one complaint to the Federal Trade Commission, accounting for 18% of all complaints and accounting for billions of dollars in loss (2012 data). And it can be very costly to repair the damage, as I know from experience!
While your identity can be stolen through the postal service or by swiping your wallet, by far your greatest exposure is online. And when you're an online businessperson, that risk is even higher; not only your personal information is available, but your professional information, too. Thankfully, there are a number of low- and high-tech options for keeping track of your passwords and user names.
7. Have a fling! The cold, dreary days of winter are a perfect time to get in one little warmer-locale fling before settling back down to work after the holidays..
What? I said we only had one day for each these? Never fear. Here are some ways to enjoy a mini-fling!
8. Organize your home office. Working from a home office can be challenging. Space can be minimal, making it difficult to find places to work, store files, or place equipment. Rid yourself of this stress by following the these tips for organizing your office space, no matter how small.
9. Set your goals for 2016. Did you know that less than 3% of people have written goals? Why? Studies have shown that the most successful people are the ones who have specific, written goals. This is true in both your personal and your business life. Perhaps most people don't have written goals because they don't understand how to set and use them. Since setting goals is one of the most important keys to achieving business success, let's learn how to use them wisely.
I'm issuing a challenge to all of you right now. Let's make 2016 your year. Each one of us has a choice to make. 2016 is right around the corner and it's calling to you to change your life. Are you coming or not? Will you make the choice to join us? Start today step-by-step. And just don't quit!
