It’s Still a New Year! Part 2
Financial Goals
Financial goals and plans are also important for a business. After all, the purpose of being in business is to make a profit.
Look at your financial picture for the previous year. How did you do? How much more do you want to make in 2022 and what will it take to get there?
Set income and sales goals for the year and plans to reach that income. That plan might include advertising, increased social media effort, more shows or markets, extending into wholesale, starting a website and more. Think about how you will go about it
It is important to be realistic about what you can and cannot do, but don’t be afraid to commit to a challenging plan.
Professional Goals, what you Need to Succeed
When it comes to professional goals, what do you want to accomplish? Do you want to join an organization, start a business, become published or something else? It is vital to growth to invest in yourself to grow and succeed. Everybody needs help and motivation and even simple things such as subscribing to a publication (ahem, Making Soap) that will inform and inspire your maker life.
Another idea is to attend gatherings and conferences for networking, learning and inspiration. They do make a difference if you make the effort.
Take a class or course to increase your knowledge base, which will in turn make you better at what you are doing with credentials to prove it.
For any of the professional goals you have in mind, put them into words. Prioritize and plan for them. Get them on the calendar and get going.
Keep Your Calendar and Plan in Front of You
We all know how easy it is to get busy with everyday life and forget about goals and plans. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies and keep them at the forefront. But how? Here are some ideas:
Make a dream or inspiration board that greets you every day. If you choose this idea, look at it each day as a constant reminder of what you are working for.
Put tasks and deadlines on the calendar and make it a habit to check it each day. Even better, check it the night before and make plans for the next day. In the evening, review and replan for the next day.
That calendar? Make it something that works for you. A physical or online planner is a great starting place but find a place for it so you cannot miss or forget it.
Remember, you can change or improve your system as time goes on; starting is key.
Don’t let Life Derail Your Plans
Events will happen that will change your plans, and they will happen often. It can be discouraging but keep going. As you develop habits, it will be easier both to stay on track and to deal with the problems that come up.
Dream, plan and go!