Set yourself up for your best year yet!

I spent the new year in a camping site surrounded by rain and a rocky beach and dear I say it, NO WIFI! But as a result of that trip, I created Salon Owners Collective.

I think I hardly spoke to the Family I was so busy scheming. So it feels right that I should take stock and plan forward as this next year should be better yet! Right? 

So I've put together my thoughts on how to have your best year yet!

 

Reflect On The Past Year

Review your calendar or appointment book from the past year. It's SO easy to forget all that you've done over the period of a year... so that was something new that I have begun incorporating into my process.

One of my favourite ‘mentors’, Tony Robbins say "Capture your "Magic Moments" throughout the year". And there is no better way to do this than with photos and video, not to mention Facebook’s ‘memories’ feature (yay). There’s so much value in reviewing major milestones and achievements in your business or goals but also remember the small things, like the sweet words of you small kids - those moments make you happy.

 

Stay Positive

Things can easily turn to negativity in your head... especially if the year didn't go as planned.

Intentionally reviewing your wins will help you stay positive. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day. You’ll always achieve less than you think in your days and weeks and even a year. But you can achieve much more than you can imagine in you 5 & 10-year strategies. Be kind to yourself!

 

Express Gratitude

Gratitude is what fills your heart with love and personal power. Reflect on it daily.

What do I most want to be thankful for one year from now? This should give you some New Year Focus.

 

Say No & Do Less

This has always been the hardest challenge for me, but I can say I’m getting good at it (in my old age maybe).

As an entrepreneur, new, exciting opportunities are everywhere. And I'm drawn to them like a magnet. I like to call it ‘new-shiney-object- Syndrome’ can you relate?

WELL… cut it out!

I’ve learned (and am continuing to learn) the value that comes from only focusing on a few things and doing them really well. So it makes the elimination process really hard. Sometimes you have to let go of some things you really love.

Ask yourself this, for each one:
Will it drive my business forward? YES or NO?

From the YES list - Take your top three.

Ask yourself again - Will this push my business forward NOW or make the most impact.

If it’s a loud YES, push on and make the time to get it done. I suggest booking a dedicated time into your appointment calendar to ensure you’ll get on to it - get out of the salon where you will have no interruptions if you can.

If it’s a NO, then quick-smart, move it to DELEGATE, DELETE or FORWARD. 

 

Set Compelling Goals

Don’t just set goals, set compelling goals but then get connected to the "WHY" behind it.

"When you lose your 'why', you'll lose your way"

The WHY behind the goal brings it to life. Without a clear Why, the chance of you achieving them drops dramatically.

 

Break It Down

One of the things I find challenging is that I love to dream up BIG goals... but often I find it hard to know where to get started. And can sit around faffing about not really achieving anything - busy being busy and achieving nothing! Sound familiar?

It ties in with ’Say No - Do Less’ then spend that little bit of time chunking it down into bite size parts.. If it’s still too hard, break it down more!!!

Just remember nothing will happen unless you really get into the nitty gritty moving parts of any large goal.

get a coach

Schedule The Year

The first step to ANY of this is to get intentional about what you actually want. And too often, our calendars get filled up with "stuff" and it never leaves room for the things we most want to do.

I don't want that to happen. I want to make sure I have time for the things I want to accomplish and don't look back this time next year and sigh!

Taking time now to block off dates on the calendar for the important things. Making sure the priorities get priority on the calendar.

This year I'm moving my family up the priority list and adding in my time out now! Including our family trip to Fiji!  I don't want family time to be squeezed into the gaps that are left-overs.

Next is big business projects like launches or marketing campaigns. Education or team events like Expo.

Once those things are on the calendar, it's obvious that there is little room for much else. That gives you tremendous clarity. Because if I am going to protect my time, saying "yes" to something new means I will have to say "no" to something I'm currently doing.

It immediately gives perspective. It makes decision making VERY easy.

 

Unplug For A Time

Do you unplug? I’m talking, no work & no tech.

I find it hard. It can be small but intentional. This year my focus is Experiences. Intentional time to get away from it all and be present with where I am and who I’m with. First up is a trip to the wine district here where I live - Martinborough. I’m planning it now for next month. Tech off (mostly), no TV, just some bikes, some wine and my awesome family.

Last but not least...

 

Get a coach or mentor in your life.

Let’s face it, it’s hard at the top - everyone comes to you for advice and guidance. But what about you?

It’s useful to have a Someone to help you goal set, sanity check you and your ideas, Keep you focused and on track and give you a tad bit of accountability.

About the author, Larissa

Business Coach & Marketing Strategist: After 20 years of salon business I worked in online marketing & technology development, Business Development Manager at Timely Salon Software and co-founded HAIRshare app for Stylist.

I love helping stylists & salons with marketing strategies, the latest technology and working smarter, not harder in salon business.

Salon Owners Collective is an online community with the mission of inspiring and empowering Salon Owners from around the globe to grow beyond owner operator. Turn your ideas into a reality, build successful businesses and live with clarity and purpose.