It’s that time of year again. No, not the I-can’t-believe-I-ate-all-that
time – it’s that time where everybody starts talking about resolutions. Ho hum.
We make them then we break them, both personally and professionally.
time – it’s that time where everybody starts talking about resolutions. Ho hum.
We make them then we break them, both personally and professionally.
It’s darn easy to be sitting on the couch with a beverage
and some chocolate and talk about all the great things you will do for your
business starting on Tuesday January 1. Until that alarm clock goes off on morning
of the 1st and it goes downhill from there. So this year don’t even
go there. No promises to faithfully blog twice a week. Or to tweet 10 times a
day. Or to build that new website by January 15th even though you
don’t know how to code. Stop right now.
and some chocolate and talk about all the great things you will do for your
business starting on Tuesday January 1. Until that alarm clock goes off on morning
of the 1st and it goes downhill from there. So this year don’t even
go there. No promises to faithfully blog twice a week. Or to tweet 10 times a
day. Or to build that new website by January 15th even though you
don’t know how to code. Stop right now.
Although I think resolutions are stupid, I do believe that
intentions and goals are the key to success. Imagine getting in your car and
having no destination. You just randomly drive and drive. You get nowhere.
Occasionally that might be what you want to do but on a daily basis? It’s no
way to live and it’s no way to succeed in business.
intentions and goals are the key to success. Imagine getting in your car and
having no destination. You just randomly drive and drive. You get nowhere.
Occasionally that might be what you want to do but on a daily basis? It’s no
way to live and it’s no way to succeed in business.
You need to know where you are going.
You are in charge of where you are going. You decide.
It’s your business, you make the calls. Sometimes life will
throw a curveball at you and you have to change your path (hello recession!)
but ultimately it is up to you where your business will go.
throw a curveball at you and you have to change your path (hello recession!)
but ultimately it is up to you where your business will go.
I want you to stop and ponder this for a bit. Grab a
notebook and a pen. (What, Santa didn’t bring you a new notebook?) Really spend
some time on this one because this is super important.
notebook and a pen. (What, Santa didn’t bring you a new notebook?) Really spend
some time on this one because this is super important.
This time next year what does your business look like?
Here’s your homework. Write a letter about what 2013 brought
you professionally. Then describe your business as of December 31, 2013.
you professionally. Then describe your business as of December 31, 2013.
As you write this you may notice a little voice in your head
saying stuff like “you can’t do that, you don’t know how”. Or you may finish
every sentence with a “but” and a reason why you can’t. Do not listen. This is
an exercise in possibilities. Your inner critic has no place here.
saying stuff like “you can’t do that, you don’t know how”. Or you may finish
every sentence with a “but” and a reason why you can’t. Do not listen. This is
an exercise in possibilities. Your inner critic has no place here.
Think about what your work will look like. Did you create a
solid body of work? Maybe you built a good collection. Or took some great
classes and learnt a new skill.
solid body of work? Maybe you built a good collection. Or took some great
classes and learnt a new skill.
Think of what your work space will look like. Will you work
alone at home, or in an outside studio? Do you have an assistant?
alone at home, or in an outside studio? Do you have an assistant?
Where will you be selling? Did you do any craft shows in
2013, if so how many? How did they go? Maybe you finally got a new website or
opened an Etsy shop. Speaking of sales did you hit your target numbers?
2013, if so how many? How did they go? Maybe you finally got a new website or
opened an Etsy shop. Speaking of sales did you hit your target numbers?
On December 31 2013 what do you want your business to look
like?
like?
(found in a shop window on Queen St West, Toronto).