Welcome to 2017. So you’ve set your new year’s resolutions, that’s great. So the next big question is are you set for success?
Coming up with ideas and resolutions are the easy part. Many of us do this, but without follow through, all we are left with is hot air. You know, we become a part of the ‘gunna do’ crew. I was gunna do it, but…
Excuses are easy to come up with. I know this, as this was a part of my every day. In 2016, I had a turning point. At the 2016 Ausmumpreneur conference, my fear (and subsequent excuses) were holding me back from my potential. I decided to stop making excuses, this simple decision led to a growth surge personally and professionally.
I’ve decided I’m having my best year yet and that you are too. So with this in mind, I’m sharing a few of my favourite tips (that I also happen to be using) to get you set for success.
1. Make a plan.
So you have the ideas, but don’t have a plan yet. Get that sorted quick smart. Check out this amazing planning tool from the Women’s Business School.
2. Create space.
Set time every week (no exceptions) to work on your business, not in it. Thank you Andrea Madden for the timely reminder of the power of creating space. The simple use of setting reminders in your calendar will work. I also use a project management tool, Trello. Setting aside the time and being disciplined to use it is key.
3. Forget your competitors.
What you focus on you get. Do you realise that if you pause in your Facebook feed it is registered by Facebook as an engagement with a post. Regularly stop and read your competitors posts, it’s time to click on the ‘v’ in the very top right of their post and select ‘hide post’ from the drop down menu. You don’t need to see their posts. Every time you stop and read their posts, you are detracting from your own. And worse, you could potentially start doing posts like theirs, not intentionally, but due to reading their posts, you start remembering their ideas and blending with your own. You can (should) check out your competitors, but rather than have them regularly in your Social Media. Review them at a designated time, such as monthly or quarterly to reduce them becoming a focal point.
4. Be a fan.
Go crazy, be a liker. In fact love those around you and be be generous of your love. When you have the chance, comment too. There are so many others out there trying their best and creating amazing content. Support them as you wish to be supported. By doing this you open the door to getting to know those around you more and even collaborating and working together.
5. Discipline your time on Social Media.
Scheduling is key. Schedule your posts, using a scheduling tool like Hootsuite. Then set your notifications so rather than waiting on Social Media for comments, you only need to go there if you need to respond.
6. Make the most of your Do Not Disturb.
Most Smartphones have a ‘do not disturb’ function. Use it.
Especially when you have important meetings or something really important you need to work on (such as a game of snap with your kids).
7. Keep the phone out of the bedroom.
You need a good night’s sleep (no exceptions). Before you say any excuses, I’m a mum of a 3 and 4 year old. I don’t always get a good night’s sleep, but I do my best to control what I can (that is the point here).
8. Be visual.
What is your vision for your business? Can you see it? Put your vision everywhere. A few places include, phone saver, computer wallpaper, notebook cover, on your office wall, in the car, bedroom wall…
9. Self awareness is key.
Do you know what your strengths and weaknesses are? The more clear you are on these, it will enable you to make the most of your abilities and those of your team. In fact with this knowledge you can even then source amazing apps that can support you too. Thanks Natalie Campbell for your blog post highlighting the value of this.
10. Be a learner.
New things are being created everyday (in the digital space this is more like every second). It is guaranteed that if you don’t regularly learn you will become obsolete.
