So here is the thing……..in less than 50 Days we are about to see an influx of vision board parties, New Years resolutions and S.M.A.R.T. Goals all across social media. I mean let’s be honest, the whole “new year New me” is a staple is the things to look for on January 1st. Some have even began to make memes and jokes about it.
Last year was the first time that I didn’t do a typical vision board and new year new me mindset. In fact I decided to look at 7 areas of my life from 2015 where I needed to make better choices, use more wisdom or completely stop. Something happened…….I actually made the necessary changes and stuck with them. A year later I am ready to start looking at 2017 in preparation for 2018.
First things first, you have to be honest about what you CAN and CANNOT do on your own. See this process is not for the faint of heart. If you need help in an area you’re going to have to ask for help. No sulking, whining or temper tantrums allowed! 🙄 That was a huge leap for me because as an introvert I tend to slide into my bubble in order to process things. I’ll attempt to utilize every option I could use on my own before reaching out for help. The thing about that is often times there is someone that can help us if we just open up and ask.
Now let’s get on to these 5 Things You Should Look at When Reflecting on 2017.
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Where did my money go? 🤔 A lot of times we overspend because we don't have an accurate perspective on assets and liabilities. (Rule of thumb is to have more assets than liabilities) We pay out a lot of money in small increments to unnecessary programs, apps, stores, restaurants and yes even gyms. We lose money paying overdraft fees and late fees. Yup. Get your calculator out. I'll wait……………. You have spent money each month that did not give you and ROI. (return on investment)
So how do we fix this? We have to start using the nasty B word and the nasty C word. (I have no idea where your mind just went. 😂) I'm referring to a budget and a calendar. Begin putting in your calendar on your phone when bills are being withdrawn, when payments come in etc and at least once a month sit down and write out your budget. I know I know. I should wash my mouth out with soap.
As an entrepreneur it is not always easy to determine exactly what is coming in and that can make budgeting difficult. So, you start with what you have coming in consistently and then move on from there. It helps a lot.
2. Time Management
They say “Rome wasn’t built in a day!” yet we have been conditioned to do errthang we can in a day. (Yes errthang) Time management skills suck because of two main things. 1. We don’t put a value on our own time. 2. We attempt to overcompensate for time missed.
So we run through the day like chickens with our head cut off and end up achieving 2 things out of a list of 49. 🤦🏾♀️ HEY 👋🏾 It’s time to take back your time. What does that mean? It’s mean determine what you can do, what you can outsource and what you don’t have time to do! I do not do my own laundry and no it’s not because I am lazy. Actually, as a single mom of four teens lazy is not an option. It’s because I can pay someone (my oldest daughter) $20 a month to do my laundry which helps her learn to work for what she wants and gives me those hours back. (See how I tied that in with finances. Yup I’m is smart)
The other part that I had to learn and stick to was using the word “no”. A lot of times we try to over compensate for other people’s lack of time management by being readily available to “leap y’all buildings in a single bound”! Yea, we attempt to be Superman to everyone. That has to end. Determine what you can do and what you cannot do……….then stand firm in your decision. It will change everything.
3. Resources
This one is kind of tricky at times but hear me out. USE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE! We have gotten so off track with the whole shiny object syndrome that our laptops, phones and tablets are overloaded with resources we have never used. Did you go back and watch that replay of that webinar you signed up for??? I’ll wait………….. Didn’t think so. We have such a consumer mindset that we forget to switch to producer to get the ROI of the classes, webinars and tips we invested in to receive.
Its time to end all that and start using what we have. What does that mean? So this is gonna hurt a few of you……so here is the 🚑. Why do you have cable and dvds? 🤔 Why do you purchase food at lunch when you had leftovers in the fridge? Why do you buy Starbucks but you have a Keurig at home? See, I already see the tears starting to well up in your eyes. The same things happens when we see a new app or some profound new technology that will digitally place customers at your doorstep. We buy into the hype or convenience trap. So in order to stop collecting resources I ask myself this question: Am I going to use this in the next 30 Days? No maybes, I have to have a yes or no answer. If the answer is no I walk away and of the answer is yes o Invest and use the resource immediately.
Now is a great time to go through and take inventory of what resources you already have available to you. What books, webinar replays etc. that can help you now? Start using them and getting your ROI.
4. Accountability
My business coach, Dawniel, always says “If you could have done it on your own you would have done it already” and she is so right. I’ve achieved so much more from coaching and accountability than I have done on my own. Yes, I know there are coaches out there that have given the industry a bad taste in people’s mouths but not every coach is a con artist. You need to invest in someone that will not take no for an answer and that wants to see you succeed. It’s true. A good coach cares about you succeeding but a great coach puts you on the path to get there.
No, your good good girlfriend or your college roommate may not necessarily be a great choice for an accountability partner or coach. Here are some things that I look for in an accountability partner or coach.
* Results – not just their results but the results of their clients
* Teaching model – not everyone teaches or learns the same way so find someone that teaches in a way that best suits your learning style
*Accountability – does your coach have a coach (someone they invest in to achieve their success)
* What are they reading – you this one is a stickler for me because I see the advantages of reading (the size of your library will determine the size of your bank account)
Here are 4 Things that I Look at When I Reflect on the previous year. I would love to hear some of the things that you reflect on. Email me at contacts@altovisepelzer.com and out “Reflections” in the subject line.
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