Welcome back if this is your first week back. I know a few of you are still getting up to speed at the start of your year.
Planning is always key at this time of year and ticking off a few of the tasks for January (if you haven't done them
already).
◻️ Complete your annual goals and objectives for the year. For your business, work and personal development. If you have a business plan, have you updated it for this year?
Break them down in to more manageable blocks of time - quarterly or monthly and use this to plan and prioritise your activity each month.
◻️
Update your systems and processes. If you completed a review for last year, what worked and what didn't.
Understanding the way work flows in and out of your day can help to identify when things get 'stuck' (or forgotten). What stops you from working efficiently and
what do you need to make things work better?
There's no one way to do things, but find what works for you. From a simple pen and paper approach, a spreadsheet or more complex Project Management Tool.
◻️ Update business plans and checklists to reflect what you want to focus on this year. Update and complete the ones for last year.
I
have a couple of key tracking worksheets and checklists that help me to do this and it's always good to revisit and update them at the start of the year. There have been a couple of 'aha' moments which I've now included for this year.
Keep things simple, automate where you can. Eliminate
unnecessary or repetitive tasks.
◻️ Update your products or services. Your review process and financials will help you identify your most popular, profitable or successful activity.
The world of work and business is changing, not only where we work - home, office, hybrid but how we work and how we now buy or access products and services. AI and technology when used well can save us time and effort and make life easier for our customers, clients and ourselves.
What can you improve, adapt or change so you can grow, develop and be more successful this year?
◻️ Clear and organise as you go.
File, archive or delete information from last year or anything you no longer need. Including:
- Financial information and data for the last tax year.
- Emails in your Inbox - project/client files.
- Newsletters and
subscriptions.
If you're anything like me, over the course of the year, you've ended up subscribing to any number of downloads and newsletters. When the next one pops in to your Inbox, if it's no longer relevant or useful, unsubscribe and clear out any related emails you haven't yet read.
Yes, even this one. I'll be sad to see you go but if it's no longer useful or you're not taking action, let it go!
