Do you ever get sick of the question, “What’s your New Year’s resolution?” Or how about the alternate “What are your business goals for the new year?” Honestly I think that this topic should be on your mind throughout the year. I mean really, do you just revisit your business goals once a year?
Actually, I’m kinda lying here because I do revisit a “resolution”, if you want to call it that, at this time each year. I always remind myself to live without fear and I take stock in the year and determine whether or not I did so. But reminding myself to live withouth fear is something I do all yeear long. Every once in a while I think about it and reinforce that thought in my mind.
What is a life without fear?
It doesn’t mean bungee jumping or sky diving — unless that’s your thing. It means saying yes to things. Saying yes usually opens up new opportunities.
When I was dating, I had no shortage of suitors. I said yes to dates with anyone who asked me. I was an equal opportunity dater. My theory? If I said yes and went out with this mediocre guy, I might a.) discover I really like him or b) discover he has a brother/roommate/friend I really like. So I said yes (too a date mind you, nothing more. I wasn’t that kinda girl).
Eventually, I met my husband in an unusal way (Interesting story, remind me to tell you one day). I did some research before our date–like I always do–and discovered … Gasp! … he had a girlfriend he had been dating for two years. Most people would send furious calls to his pager followed by the 911# indicating it was urgent (this was before Facebook) and when he finally called give him a piece of their mind.
Me, on the other hand. I let the lava hot flame inside me subside to a spark-ready simmer and said “yes”. I went out with him to confront him about why he would ask me out when he had a long time girlfriend. I would do this, of course, after ordering my expensive meal. But what I found out was that he had broke up with the girl about a year before and my informant hadn’t really known that. If I hadn’t said yes, I would’ve ruined my future marriage and three children.
Great romantic story Shelly, but WTF does it have to do with me and my business?
In order to say yes you need to get over your fear. The same opportunities that arise from saying yes in your personal life arise when you say yes in business. But you won’t overcome that fear by reminding yourself once a year. You should look at your business goals in depth at least every quarter. I have shorter term business goals that I have written down and carry with me everywhere I go so that they are always top of mind.
With personal goals I do the same. Of course it’s easy for me because I only have the one. When opportunities arise and I’m tempting to say no I always ask myself if I’m saying no because that’s the best thing to do or if I’m saying no because I’m afraid. When I reflect back at last year, I see that the first half of the year I followed my plan accordingly. By the last quarter not so much.
This year if you are going make a resolution make it to live every resolution throughout the year.