A Business Owner’s Guide for 2020 Resolutions
As we roll toward the year’s end, it’s a no-brainer that you’re thinking about the year ahead and the opportunity to do and be better. Losing weight, becoming adventurous, they’re all staple goals. But, according to U.S. News, about 80 percent of those New Year’s Resolutions we make fail by the second week of February.
So, instead of making a resolution that you’ll wind up ditching, how about creating ones that stick? While you’re gearing up for the holidays or recovering from them, check out our list of resolutions that are sure to bring out the best in you and your business in 2020.
1. Become a Better Communicator
Communication is key, and as the master of your dojo, it’s vital to make sure everyone is on the same page and on board with your vision. If you find yourself repeating the same things over and over to your employees and or your students, you may want to reexamine how you’re communicating. Not only will it keep you from sounding like a broken record, but it also boosts employee morale.
2. Get Crafty with Content
Don’t just tell your customers what you have to offer, show them as well. In the new year, make an effort to find crafty ways to appeal to your clients. There are plenty of ways to share your expertise, including a weekly blog, a podcast, or uploading videos and documents of your techniques and tips to Kicksite’s video library for students to view.
3. Make Work/Life Balance a Priority
Finding balance is a struggle, but it doesn’t have to be. If you often find yourself overwhelmed or drained by the time you close your doors for the night, it may be a sign that you need to rebalance the scales. A few examples:
- Accept that there is no 50/50 split. Sometimes one requires more attention than the other.
- Delegate your work to other employees or hire more team members (this doesn’t make you weak or mean you can’t run your business; just human!)
- Unplug and schedule time away from your devices. Be present in the moment!
- Prioritize your health. If you’re feeling sick, rundown, or need a self-care day, do it! Your body and business will appreciate it.
- Don’t overcommit. Just because you want to attend doesn’t mean you should. It’s ok to say no. Trust us.
4. Improve Your Digital Presence
Having an online presence is a must in the digital age. No, you don’t have to be a programming whiz, but it’s crucial that you know what goals you have for your business, so you don’t wind up with a lackluster site. And if you’re in need of a website, meet Kicksite’s web services. Your site will seamlessly integrate with your Kicksite, plus you’ll get monthly updates, SEO, and BizBuilder forms to capture leads and market special events.
5. Charge What You’re Worth
Sometimes schools cut the cost of memberships to get people interested in their business and to keep students from leaving. But though it may seem like a good idea because it gets customers paying, it may also signal to customers current and future that you undervalue the life-enhancing services you offer. Don’t short-change yourself.
6. Learn and Grow
There’s always room to grow, even if your business is running like a well-oiled machine. Don’t be afraid to incorporate new practices, then revisit; keeping what’s working and tweaking what’s not. An added bonus is to learn a new skill that isn’t related to your business (tennis, anyone?). Who knows what your newfound skill can bring: friends, networking, or maybe your next big idea.
7. Set Realistic Goals
The temptation to jump headfirst into new goals is strong but changing too much too soon is a recipe for serious burnout. In their article on business resolutions, Provident Bank advises starting small and tackling the most reasonable and most important tasks first. If your goal is to be home for dinner every night, start with making it home once a week and work your way up. Creating a checklist is another way to help ease into change. As you mark things off your list, you’ll be able to track your progress, even if it doesn’t seem like it.
8. Celebrate Your Accomplishments
While you’re on the journey to elevating your business, don’t forget to celebrate what you’re doing right! Take time to reflect on important milestones and events from the past year. There’s a reason you’ve made it this far.