by Jaimie Siegle | Advertising Systems Inc.
For me, the first days of 2013 have been about getting back to normal – taking down Christmas decorations, getting back into the routine and thinking about what I’d like to accomplish this year. And despite the recent fiscal cliff deal and the uncertainty that looms above small businesses, I think the New Year is a time to reflect on last year’s accomplishments and missteps – as well as both personal and professional goals for the future.
In a nutshell, my goals are to organize my life and become a better blogger, daughter and friend. Listed below are my top 5 resolutions to accomplish my aforementioned goals, but I think they’re applicable for any business owner, start-up team player or business professional.
1. Read More – I love to read, and my personal goal is to read a book a month (This month, it’s Unbroken by journalist and author Laura Hillenbrand). But there are tons of resources – magazines, books, blogs and online publications – that help business owners learn about new business tools, manage their time and stay current on industry trends. Some books, like The 4 Hour Work Week, offer wonderful insight and practical advice for professionals who A) work from home, B) are entrepreneurs or C) need to revamp their entire life and work schedule. For a list of recommended reading, check out Fast Company’s 12 Best Business Books of 2012.
2. Go Mobile – The biggest technology and business trend of 2013 is mobile, mobile, mobile. From local bakeries taking transactions on iPads to holiday shopping on smartphones, it seems like the mobile arena was just getting started in 2012 and it’s about to explode. Check out webinars
3. Prioritize – Family is important, and so are friends, work and even laundry. But a few things often get overlooked – sleep, phone calls with relatives or siblings, walking the dog. Whatever it is that is keeping your life out of balance, make sure you get those things in check. I, for example, have put my oft forgotten tasks in writing in my planner because it makes me feel more accountable.
4. Stay Organized – Organizing the office is one thing; keeping it organized is a whole different animal. I am resolving to make more use of my filing folders, file cabinets and labels, not to mention software like Basecamp if I need to collaborate on a project and my team members are in different areas.
5. Wake Up Earlier – Getting one less hour of sleep (or going to bed earlier) never hurt anyone. It allows you to squeeze more tasks out of your day, whether it’s getting in a yoga class, catching up on emails, or calling your parents.
What are your New Year’s Resolutions? How do you stay organized and keep your priorities in check?
