At the start of a new year, it’s a very good idea to look back at the previous year, see what has been successful (and what has not been so successful) and look at what you wanted to achieve when you really wanted to.
Let’s be honest – best laid plans and all that – but stuff does happen that knocks your plans out of kilter, so some things may have slipped. However, it’s not an excuse for letting your plans slide – there is still time to get back on track and review what didn’t work and make sure you don’t repeat that in 2016.
We had a hell of a year – or so I had thought – and it was only when I looked back at my year end review in 2015 and saw exactly how much progress we actually made that in retrospect 2015 was reasonably productive. Not perfect I hasten to add, but I’d give us a 7/10 – which with a key supplier going bust, a depot closure or two and a legal case or three means we have certainly being going in the right direction.
There were also a few key bits I’d missed or indeed forgotten so I am rushing to get them fi ished so I start
the year off with a clean slate. This is a great thing to do in your business too.
Did you get the sales you needed?
Did you secure the funding you wanted?
Did you get the profit you wanted?
And if you have achieved all of this have you stretched sufficiently?
What could you do to push yourself a little harder next year?
What could you achieve if you start aiming higher rather than at what you think you can reasonably achieve?
I have a mate, Steven, who is rocketing with his business and he has the potential to look at billion dollar deals next year rather than mere millions and is encouraging me to look at my business in the same way. What would
happen if you added ‘0’ to your projections?
How would that impact on you, your dreams and what you might be able to achieve?
But start it all with a good hard look at what you needed to achieve last year – what you have slipped on and may have time to get back on track with. This is your chance to clarify those aims and start thinking about 2016 and beyond.
So spend some time looking back and make 2016 your best year ever!
Best wishes,
Kate
