What will propel you to step out of your business comfort areas? You will need to be bold, strategic, and optimistic. As you create your business roadmap, here are three key concepts that can help you to lay the foundation for a transformative year defined by growth, achievement, and personal satisfaction.
Stop, from time to time, to consider your accomplishments.
We are often so driven and focused on our goals that we fail to consider how to go about achieving them. This is true in our business relationships, our leadership style, and our communication. It is reflected in our attitude and our tone when interacting with others, which includes personal touch and the passion we express. These influence others to take the time to get to know us, to understand our vision, to collaborate with us, and to develop the willingness to go the distance with us.
At the end of each business quarter, reflect on the most significant accomplishments you achieved in your business and remember how you achieved them. And, if they worked, consider using them again.
Create milestones, large and small, and give yourself credit for all of them.
Your journey will not always be an easy one. As you develop your business roadmap for the new year, create self-rewards along the way to help keep you motivated. Do whatever you need to stay motivated in the long-term. Write down your milestones. Be very specific and attach a due date to ensure you remain accountable to yourself in achieving them. This practice will keep you actively engaged in your own personal development.
Neurologically, such rewards trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of motivation, happiness, or a sense of anticipation. Your rewards can be as large as a weekend trip, or as small as a manicure and pedicure. You can reward yourself weekly, monthly, or quarterly.
Do not carry your old baggage into the New Year.
Dwelling on the past distracts you from engaging with the present. Try not to hang onto aspects of your past, such as negative feelings, or your narrative of “how it has been.” Approach the new year as tabula rasa, or a “blank slate.” This is an opportunity for you to redesign your narrative, change your mindset, and resolve to take new and different actions to achieve better results.
You must change your game based upon your experiences and results. Of course, that is easier said than done, but when you work at it, you will move the needle along. Remaining within your comfort zone is safe and easy, but can never serve you in the long term.
As you forge ahead in your journey, remember that it will not always be easy, and that you will undoubtedly encounter rough spots along the way.
However, I dare you to laugh, endure, and get your grit on. Stay on track and focused. You will persevere, and design the business you love.
