How to Hit the Ground Running in 2017
January 1st is that one time of the year where everything gets that new car smell and entrepreneurs are rejuvenated and motivated to look at work as a fresh start. In this article we will help you tap into that motivation and turn it into real momentum. These tips are meant to align your mindset, as a business professional, to get your desired plans in place for the new business year.
- Evaluate what worked in 2016
There’s a saying, “Any time you take down a fence, always pause long enough to remember why it was put there in the first place.” The importance of self-reflection cannot be stressed enough. Each year every company has its highs and lows, some things they tried worked, others didn’t. And before your company, or your personal work ethic, stays the course into 2017, you will do well to take a look in the mirror and prepare a checklist of what is working, and what you might put on a “stop-doing” list, alongside the “to-do” list.
- Make your short and long term goals for 2017
Your to-do list can involve action in both the short and long term. For every quarter, it is helpful to have an outline and a clear understanding of what you and your company consider acceptable progress. Goals should always follow the tried and true SMART principle: simple, measureable, action-oriented, realistic, as well as track-able.
- Review how you can improve your digital presence
This is the digital age. Part of a company’s constant strive to remain relevant include its efforts to stay up to date on its technology and use of digital media to reach consumers. What was hip and trendy last year (Vine innovated 6-second videos!) could become irrelevant next year (Twitter is shutting down Vine). Companies that neglect their social media pages, or make their content as dry and un-engaging as possible will yield little success in those fields. Make sure that someone is in charge of updating any out of date information on your websites that might confuse potential customers in the new year.
- Everything Zen: Change up your workspace
On a personal level, taking the time to reorganize your office can be a great way to motivate yourself or reinvigorate your attitude at work. It is good to make this “new beginning” feeling that January brings work as much as possible for yourself. Cleaning out any clutter can bring a surge to your creativity and your mood, and therefore, your performance!
- Make a point to reward success (for yourself and others)
Everyone likes to feel appreciated, especially you. This year, you may want to make a resolution to take care to express your appreciation to everyone else who contributes on the workforce. Do your part to cultivate a work culture of recognition for good work and giving praise. Don’t forget to reward yourself for personal victories and accomplishments at work. Be sure to celebrate your wins as much as you agonize over your losses.
- Define “progress”
Setting goals is important, but make sure that you have systems in place to monitor progress. Define the milestones that you should expect to reach at given points during the upcoming year. Decide if your checks will happen weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc. so nothing gets past you.
- Determine how you want to grow personally this year
Caring for the company’s success is one thing (and a very important thing, too) but you must not understate the impact that your own personal care and emotional/spiritual wellbeing contributes to your work ethic. What are the goals “for you?”—Work-related, or otherwise. Look in the mirror and determine how you know you could do better, and what you might need to do to accomplish that. And if you don’t know, then you may want to do your research to find out.
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