Every month, about 543,000 new businesses start in the USA. Only seven out of ten are still in business after two years, and five out of ten are still in business after five years. Of the businesses that manage to survive for five years, about 70% follow a strategic business plan. (Nazar, 2013).
Many of us probably made a New Year’s resolution last month. Chances are, we have already broken it or started to waiver. Don’t feel bad if this describes you. The truth is that a New Year’s resolution is easier to make than to keep. The problem is not you or your resolution. The problem is that we do not know how to keep resolutions. If you don’t believe us, check out the multi-billion-dollar self-help industry, which is mostly just people profiting off of others’ inability to achieve their goals. There are things you can do and habits you can implement to help you stay on track to achieve your goals. Here are a few tips to help you stay committed to your New Year’s resolutions:
- Get support
Camaraderie makes sticking to your resolutions more fun and more attainable. Get yourself one or more buddies to help you be accountable. Seek experts who can help you achieve your goals (especially business goals that require a specific skill set). Camaraderie makes sticking to your resolutions more fun and more attainable. Get yourself one or more buddies to help you be accountable. Seek experts who can help you achieve your goals (especially business goals that require a specific skill set).
- Avoid repeating past failures
If you choose to reach for the same goals that you’ve tried but failed to achieve in the past, evaluate why you could not achieve that goal. Adjust your plans and avoid approaches that will fail you again.
- Celebrate small wins
While keeping your eye on the big goal, enjoying the small wins along the way can motivate us to push through the difficulties. You can start by breaking down your large goal into smaller goals. When you reach your smaller goals, reward yourself. It is essential to track your progress along the journey. This allows you to remind yourself of how far you’ve come and can bring a sense of accomplishment to boost your effort to move forward.
- Have a plan
Why bother to set goals if you don’t have a plan to achieve them? Whether you are setting personal or business goals, you need a method of execution. Without a plan, your goal is just a dream. Sit down and create a plan. When your goals feel too big or overwhelming to plan consider getting the help of an expert. For example, you could plan your business goals with a strategist.
If you need help creating a strategic plan for your business goals, give CLS a call. We have the expertise to take you from where you are to where you want to be.
