Simple Business Strategies to Start the New Year

Another New Year for small office, solo-preneurs and other professional individuals, so start it off right. What you need to determine is how you will spend your time: earning, learning, yearning or a combination of all three.

Written Jan 03, 2009, read 234 times since then.

Another New Year for small office, solo-preneurs and other professional individuals, so start it off right.

What you need to determine is how you will spend your time: earning, learning, yearning or a combination of all three.

Follow the three strategies presented below to create a New Year of abundance, balance, focus, and fun.

The first strategy is: Time for yourself.

You've go to do what's good for you or you're no good for anybody.

Take your calendar and, at least for the first quarter of the year, select one weekday and designate it for yourself. This is in addition to any weekends that you have designated for other work or family activities.

Use this time for yourself; go to the movies, a museum, volunteer or take up tap dancing.

Remember, you come first. If you are not fulfilled, satisfied and content, the business won't come to you anyway.Clients are attracted to enjoyment, not worry. Worry takes you out of your mind and into stagnation.

Start each day with: "I am satisfied and successful."

Create the time for peace, joy and the pleasure of just taking care of you.

Second: Determine your Bigger Financial Picture.

Decide the amount of income you want your business to receive in this New Year. For example, consider $240,000 in annual receipts. Could be more or less; this is just an example using round figures; this breaks down to $20,000 per month.

This amount, $240,000 annually may sound high to some.

Remember, As a business owner, you only get to keep half this amount.

The other half goes to overhead, profit and marketing, so keep this in mind. You will generate $20,000 per month; however, only $10,000 of this goes to the owner.

You may want to have a higher figure, depending on your business or practice, $1,000,000 even. Go for it!.

Now determine how many days you want to market your business and how many days you want to "do the work." The marketing can be in the form of networking meetings, free or fee talks, mailings and Internet marketing.

The work would be the actual consulting, writing, product design and development, coaching or training performed in your area of expertise. Write it down. Write the amount on an annual, monthly and daily basis. Each day, make a statement similar to, "Everything I do today supports my financial goals."

Only perform tasks of High Value that will support your monthly number of $20,000 per month. Choose three HVAs and write them down each and every day. At the end of your day, note what you accomplished in pursuit of your monthly number. You may be surprised to discover that you did not complete the morning three items. Once you are committed to a process, you are bound to attract other influences that support your goal. Whatever you do, do not feel compelled to carryover yesterday's HVAs to today's activities. Make new ones each and every day.

These HVAs are to be written each and every day, even the so-called work free weekends. On the weekends, you may decide that an HVA is to take a hike or go on a trip. If this activity supports your well being, then it is part of your plan.

Remember, you do not need to work every day to generate the income you want. If you determine you want to work only six months per year, say it. It may take a little time for your subconscious to hear your truth, but there is no rule that you have to work a particular number of days per week or per year.

This is your life, your business and your rules.

Third, Be Emotionally, Physically and Spiritually Healthy

Your body and your mind take you through the work and the play and need to be in the best shape possible. This means to eat healthy, sleep healthy, play healthy and work healthy. Get rid of anything or anyone that does not support who you are or want to be.

Eliminate inappropriate and unnecessary food, relationships,clothes, business associates, clients, subscriptions, debts and so on. No need to carry any burden that you don't want.

Make a list of everything that needs to go. Keep this list,note the dates things change and applaud. Every day, say "I am healthy." It works.

You are now on your way to new ideas, new learning and expanded income and health for any New Year.

Learn more about the author, Joanne Victoria.

Comment on this article

Posted by Kate Phillips, Carnation, Seattle, Washington | Jan 06, 2009

Thanks Joanne. Good advice for business owners and their businesses!

I came to the same conclusion that "we only keep half of what we earn." Of course, different industries are different (you get to keep only about 10% in the restaurant biz!) but it an unhealthy trick of the mind to look at our sales and think that equates to profits we can put in our pockets.

I was just looking around at things I want to get rid of... time for a garage sale when the weather allows. Until then, there's plenty of prep work to be done.

"Financial Healing" and Practical Prosperity
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Jan 06, 2009

Profit is the key. Many business owners still do not know what their profits are; all they look at are receipts. Appreciate your comments.
Posted by Debra Synovec, Seattle, Washington | Jan 09, 2009

Very practical down- to- earth advice Joanne!

Easy to have these high end goals and easy to actually mangae them if only we follow some simple steps. This article articulates how to take the steps, integrate them into our lives and do it with grace. The blending of spiritual and business is a fabulous model! Thanks for taking the time to remind us that we do not need to make it hard...it should be fun and to take care of our selves too!

Happy New Year!

Seattle Divorce Mediator, Seattle Mediation
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Jan 09, 2009

Debra- Thanks for your insights re this article. I always tell people your business life fits into your personal life, not vice versa. Keeping it simple is the key to completion, therefore, success, in whatever way works for the individual.If it's not fun, why bother!
Posted by James Goldsmith, Seattle, Washington | Jan 09, 2009

Just like airline safety instructions state, fit the oxygen mask on your face first, before you help your child next to you. Sometimes you have to come first and this has been my mental block in the past. Thank you Joanne for reminding all of us to be solidly grounded before attempting to help others. Positive aspirations work. Use them every day and your life will magically align with your destiny.
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Jan 09, 2009

You are so right James. Put Yourself First is my motto in my book, Lighting Your Path - How To Create the Life You Want. There seems to be resistance to putting oneself first; however, it must be done. Grounding, boundaries and positive aspirations work all the time.
Posted by Diana Bourgeois, Salem, South Carolina | Jan 14, 2009

Joanne--Wow...your list is right on. I started down this path on Jan 1st and I am exhausted already. Perhaps because I have not quite made it to the "Take Time for Yourself" part. Working on that though....because "I am satisfied and successful." It is hard to change from striving to growing.

Diana Bourgeois, Marketing Goddess
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Jan 14, 2009

Diana, Appreciate your honesty. Once one makes time for self, first!, then one is less tired and frustrated.Good for you re your personal insights.
Posted by Nick Foudos, Timonium, Maryland | Mar 01, 2009

Great stuff, Joanne. I've run my own graphic design practice, as a solopreneur, for over twenty years. I still constantly have to reevaluate and reaffirm my work and my life. It never becomes automatic.

Clearly stating and writing down your goals -- both financial and personal -- does make them more attainable!
Posted by Joanne Victoria, Silverdale, Washington | Mar 01, 2009

Thanks Nick and glad you appreciated the 'reminder' to reevaluate and reaffirm. I do it constantly!