NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS... SHOULD YOU BOTHER?

The best way to answer this question is to take a look at the past. How's your success rate with resolutions from previous years? If the answer is great, then grab that pen and paper and start making that list. If however you're like the rest of us, your time may be better spent elsewhere.

Why Don't Resolutions Work?
1. They're generally not your highest priority.  Resolutions are too frequently an ideal. Something you think you should do, but subconsciously (or even consciously) don't believe the payoff will be worth the effort.

2. They often aren't something to look forward to because they rely on disciplinary change... and it all starts in the holidays. Talk about making it tough on yourself!

3. There's no action plan for making them stick. No plan and no genuine consequences if they aren't implemented.

4. There's an expectation of failure. Most resolutions have been forgotten before the party's over. So there's an expectation that if you don't follow through, that's ok. Most people don't.

A Much Better Idea...
Rather than create resolutions, this time of year can be ideal to reflect on the success of your business. Review the last 12 months. Take a look at your goals and where you're at right now. Is there a gap? If you've fallen short somewhere, identify why? What's holding you back? Then create a plan to get you back on track.  

It may be a skills gap in the business, a customer service or delivery issue, even a product or process that needs tweaking. It doesn't matter what it is, look to fix it now. Don't wait for the New Year to begin.

Why wait until Jan 1 to implement something worthwhile? If you're not in a retail environment, chances are that late Dec is the ideal time for future planning. By all means enjoy time with family and friends, but also use your work time wisely and get a head start on the year ahead.

I'm around in the lead up to Christmas if you need any support. Then I'll be away until Jan 4. So if you need anything, please get in touch within the next week. Otherwise stay safe and enjoy your well earned break.

Happy holidays!

PS You may find my post on goal setting useful for your business review + planning session.

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To learn more about David Lumb visit betterbusinesstoday.com.au