Many of us wake up on the morning of January 1 ready for a fresh start. Whether we are regretting all of the unhealthy food consumed during the holiday season or we are reflecting on the past year as a whole, the beginning of a new year seems like a perfect time to turn a new page.
The internet is filled with blog posts and article about New Year’s Resolutions this time of year. Guess what? New Year’s Resolutions don’t have to just be about losing weight or other personal matters. The beginning of the year is also an opportune time to take a look at your business and make some resolutions to help it succeed in the following year.
So, here we have it. A list of 13 New Year’s Resolutions for your business for 2019. Some are small, some are large, but all will have positive impacts on your company.
1. Start a blog
Did you know that companies who include a blog as part of their website get 67% more leads than businesses who don’t? (HubSpot) That is a pretty impressive statistic, and it’s not the only one that should convince you that your company needs a blog.
If you have a blog, but haven’t written anything in while, make it your 2019 resolution to start back up.
2. Develop a calendar for your content
This year stop posting blogs only when inspiration strikes or randomly logging into the business’s Facebook account when you have a free moment. Take the time to plan out your blogging content as well as your content for social media posts. Hootsuite recommends the 80/20 rule, “80 percent helpful and interesting content for every 20 percent of content that’s selling your product.”
3. Schedule team building
We all know that having a solid team that communicates well is vital to the success of any business. Have you been thinking having some kind of team building day but just haven’t gotten around to planning it? Do it now. Your future self–and your employees–will thank you later.
4. Plan a vacation
Planning time AWAY from the business as a business New Year’s Resolution? Yep. Over half of Americans don’t use all of their allotted vacation time. However, vacations reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. So, don’t just plan a vacation for yourself–encourage your employees to take time off as well.
5. Clean out your email inbox
I think this one explains itself. Take the time to go through your email inbox and get rid of all of the clutter.
6. Review your business plan
Evaluate what worked or didn’t work last year. What should be changed for this upcoming year. Marla Tabaka points out the importance of an annual review in an article for Inc., “But how can you fix something when you don’t know it’s broken? How will you celebrate achievements when you don’t realize how significant they are to the big picture? “
7. Buy fancy soap for the bathroom
There really is just something about the little things that help to boost the company morale. I always notice if restrooms have nice soap instead of the regular industrial stuff. Plus, it’s dry and cold January-make it a moisturizing kind.
8. Find a way to get involved in the community
Being a part of the community is especially pertinent if your business is physically located within a community. Join the Chamber of Commerce, find ways to partner with local charities, and participate in parades. This well help people get to know you.
Is your business internet based? That’s ok, through the many social media platforms you can still find a community to be a part of.
9. Read more
It’s no secret that reading is one of the characteristics of uber successful people. Make it one of your priorities this year too. Looking for something to read? Check out these recommendations.
10. Prioritize sleep
Despite knowing all of the health benefits of sleep, sleep is something that is constantly being pushed to the bottom of everyone’s to-do lists. This year, make sleep a priority. Do it for you physical and mental health and well being. Another perk? Prioritizing sleep may also encourage you to sleep on some of those big decisions.
11. Set milestones (check in with your new year’s resolutions)
80% of people give up on their New Year’s Resolutions by February. Don’t be one of them this year. Resolve to set milestones throughout the year for each resolution and check in. You may find you to need to tweak and change your goals throughout the year, and that’s ok.
12. Clean out your desk
Just like cleaning out your email inbox, take some time this January to clean out your desk. I knew someone whose entire top desk drawer was filled with sauce packets from Taco Bell. So, throw out the sauce packets, organize the random business cards floating around, and get rid of any pens that don’t work.
13. Let others do some of the work
Sometimes letting go of the reins and passing along work to others is MUCH easier said than done. However, it is important. Not only does it take some pressure off of you, it also gives others the change to learn new skills and test their wings. This year work on delegating, or even outsourcing some applicable tasks.
We wish you a happy, healthy, and successful 2019! Contact us at Lumen Advisory and Finance for other business advice.
