Your “Where Did January Go” Business Strategy

The start of a new year is a renewal of hope.

• You promise yourself a great year
• You have plenty of time
• You still see holiday decorations in the neighborhood

Next thing you know, you’re turning a page on the first month.

What?! Where did January go?

Shock Value

Believe it or not, there is something good about being shocked into reality.

• Proves you’re still alive
• You stand up and pay attention
• You have a chance to regroup

Now that the calendar has your attention, why not use the shock value?

Make this business goals time.

Full Steam Ahead

If you are one of those who got out of the gates running, good for you.

You set your goals early and you followed your plan to a tee. You are human, right? Sorry, that’s envy speaking.

Take the end of the first month for a simple review.

• What went well?
• What needs improvement?
• What’s next?

It is probably way too early to throw in the towel on something that didn’t work.

Tweak your activities and commence steaming again.

Derailed

Perhaps you started out with a full head of steam, but derailed along the way.

Use the same simple review – what went well – what needs improvement – what’s next?

• Did you underestimate the time needed for tasks?
• Were there unexpected obstacles?
• Are obstacles temporary, one-and-done?
• Or do you need to adjust for obstacles?

A quick review will help you find your answers.

Get back on track and moving.

Never Left the Station

Are your goals still sitting in your spreadsheet? Or maybe you are thinking about thinking what those goals are going to be.

You have a good excuse – or not – it doesn’t matter.

Now is good a time as any to get those business goals chugging along.

Yep, you guessed it. Use that same simple business review.

What went well?

• Look at the prior year along with the first month
• If it’s your 1st year, review the year so far
• Use SMART technique for goals – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-bound

What needs improvement?

• What is keeping you from creating your goals?
• Do you need structure? Find a process that works for you
• Are you feeling overwhelmed? Regroup and take baby steps
• Simplify your goals – make next month’s goal to do better than the month before

What’s next?

• Take one goal and work on that
• Set tasks to achieve that goal
• Add another goal (or two) the next month
• Repeat and start again

Use a simple review to get your engine started.

Come and Gone

January has come and gone.

We cannot get it back until next year. So, we might as well make the best of it and move on.

Do a simple business review.

• Tweak
• Get back on track
• Move forward

What tips do you have for reaching your business goals?

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About Cathy Miller

Business writer with 30+ years experience helping you keep it simple, clear & uniquely yours.