Do you ever take time off to simply reflect and plan: to think about the past year and what you’ve achieved in your business; to think about what you want to do in future?
In December, with the end of the year approaching, I often find myself operating at extremes – trying to finish outstanding tasks before the December holidays.
It is in these hectic days that there is often little time to reflect on the past year and to plan for the next year.
But, even though it is pretty hectic, I always choose December for this; to do some deep soul-searching; to reflect; to REALLY look at my business.
To look at:
- what objectives and plans I had for this past year and if I reached it or not;
- what opportunities were taken…or lost;
- what lessons I’ve learned.
Then I also choose December as the time to plan – especially if I’m going on holiday.
Because planning new challenges for the year to come (BEFORE I go on leave or wind down for the festive season), motivates and gives me something to look forward to.
January normally comes around soon enough; and I want to be refreshed when I return from holiday, focused and excited about the year ahead. I don’t want to be bogged down by some necessary business planning – I just want to start with all the things set out to do.
How about you?
Have you found some time in-between the year-end parties, the rush to get last minute tasks completed and planning of a December holiday break to:
- Reflect on the past year and what has been achieved and
- Plan the new challenges for the year ahead?
If not, why not make some time for reflection and planning this month.
To help you with it, I’ve written a post some time ago on 4 Easy Steps for Better Business Performance. It gives a step-by-step breakdown on how to reflect and how to plan. You can read it here.
Oh, and by the way…
If your VA business survived this past year, be proud of what you’ve achieved. Build on it and take it a few steps further in the next year. Remember, it takes small but consistent steps forward to reach your dreams.
