We often just work off the cuff; whichever deadline
looms first on the horizon gets our time and
attention.
Make a plan this year by incorporating business
planning into your schedule - and then put it on
your calendar.
Perhaps choose thirty minutes at the end of each
day, or two hours at the start of the week. Plan
your time, write it down, and keep it in front of
you as you work. It will keep you focused.
If you're a financial advisor, but your word
processing skills are lacking, either take a class
to learn it this year, or hire someone on an
as-needed basis to do that work for you.
In the end, your money is probably better spent on
doing what you do best - then farm out the rest.
There are freelance professionals who will happily
send invoices, build websites, run errands, or do
customer service follow up calls for you. Use your
time and money wisely.
Resolution #3 - Make Goals and Assess Often
If your goal is to take on 12 new clients this
year for your housecleaning business, break it
down by the week to indicate what needs to be
done to make it a reality.
Then send out fliers, make calls, or otherwise
promote your business to follow through on that
goal.
If you work with a team of others, enlist their
support to keep the goal front and center in
everyone's minds.
Resolution #4 - Network & Continue Your
Education
Whatever field you're in, there are probably
trade associations or groups with which you
can share information, make contacts, or learn
from.
Consider starting a networking group if one is
not readily available to you.
Continue your education and get certified in
your field to keep you at the top of your game,
and more desirable to your clients.
Advertise your affiliation with
these associations and any certification or
licensure you've acquired on your website.
Resolution #5 - Get More Organized
No matter how organized you may be, chances are
you could be better. Not only does being
organized reduce stress immensely, it makes you
look like the professional you are.
File paperwork regularly so that you can put
your hands on it when needed. It doesn't bode
well for you when you keep a customer on hold
while you search for an invoice or job quote.
Make notes about your clients and the contact
you've have with them so that you can refer to
specific information when speaking with
them. Literally write down the date and time of
phone calls or in-person meeting, as well as
what was discussed.
For example, if you refer to the job you did for
them two years ago without hesitation, it makes
them feel that their business was - and remains
- important to you.
Resolution #6 - Designate Hands-Off Time
Each Day
Whether it's two hours each morning, or every
day after lunch, put aside a few hours on a
regular schedule that is 'hands-off' time.
What I mean is designated time in which no
incoming personal phone calls are taken, no
family interruptions are allowed, and no email
not directly related to work is answered or
sent.
However you choose to schedule it, your block of
hands-off time allows you to have a work blitz -
doing those essential business chores which need
your concentration and attention.
If you clearly communicate this to your family
and others who might be affected (such as your
small office staff or freelancers you've hired)
and then stick to it, they will learn to respect
it and you will be that much more efficient.
You'll soon see your to-do list dwindle down to
nothing (well, that might be a stretch, so I'll
just say it will get smaller).
NOTE: Although there are
so many resolutions I could make, and other
areas in which I would love to improve and grow,
these are the six I will concentrate on in
2010.
Why not make your own and post them on your
bulletin board to keep YOU on track in this
coming year?
