At the start of a new year, people tend to talk about their "new year resolutions." Not me. I think it's imperative that we reflect on the previous year about the things that went wrong and what went right.
When we take the time to ponder, we will be surprised at the good things that took place. But, it's all about perspective and your mindset. When we reflect, we're able to take all the good things from the previous years and compound that with the intentions we hope to accomplish in the new year.
REFLECTION
My reflection of 2020 revealed pain and blessings. Like many of you, I lost family members to death who I truly cared about. However, I gained so much. Here's a little of the goodness that occurred in 2020:
I gained a network of awesome professionals that had this pandemic not occurred, I probably would've not met.
I paid off 20K in business debt in February of 2020 unbeknownst to me that we would all be ordered to stay in our homes for months.
I wrote and published a new book - What Are You Sporting About? - that became a bestseller and inspired the podcast - What Are You Sporting About?.
I hired three employees - a law clerk and two virtual assistants.
I re-invested in my business by purchasing services that will help me build and grow this year.
I set up new automations and programs to help my team work more efficiently.
Although my husband was out of work for a month in March 2020, and again quarantined at home in November 2020 because of our Florida travel for two weeks, I was able - amid the loss of family income - to cover all of our bills that my husband was not paid for that unpaid time off.
I was able to pay for our furnace issues at the height of the year.
I was able to see, spend time with, sing and talk to my beautiful grandmother (aka, my best friend) in October 2020 not knowing that she would soon pass away thereafter.
Yes, 2020 was shitty as ever... BUT IT WAS ALSO GOOD TO ME. #Perspective #mindset.
SETTING NEW INTENTIONS
In 2019, I decided that 2020 would be my NO FEAR year. I was always so nervous about everything and I needed something - some AFFIRMATION - to remind myself that I can do it! So "no fear" it was and in all the chaos of 2020, that mantra truly helped me through.
My new intentions for 2021 are BOUNDARIES and CONSISTENCY.
1. Boundaries: As a new entrepreneur, as a business owner, as a friend, as a spouse, as a parent, as a an adult child, we fail to create proper boundaries in all of our relationships and failing to do so will cause you a hindrance, right?
It will keep us from elevating from the level that you desire for additional growth Boundaries are so important. Setting boundaries not only define what it is that you want for yourself, but it also helps you to set a standard for other people who are on the other side trying to think about how to take you - How do they approach you or how do they deal with you. Setting boundaries also illustrate to others how to respect you personally and as a business owner.
2. Consistency: I've heard that if you do something for 30 days straight that it will create a new habit. In business, consistency is everything! I know you've heard before that "how you do one thing is how you do everything." It's true. If you are lackluster about your personal life, you probably act the same way about your business life.
To be successful, you have to get out of that mindset. Be consistent. For example, I was horrible at writing newsletters in the past. It took so much energy for me. I had to set task reminders to do them. Now, you guys hear from me on a weekly basis. #Consistency.
When you're consistent, people know what they are getting. They can trust you. They can trust that you will deliver what you said you would.
MY TIP
Don't start this year off the same way you did in 2020 especially if you didn't see results that you hoped to. Start by setting your own intentions - NOT RESOLUTIONS - intentions! Think about what you want to accomplish and then think about what it will take for you to realize those things.
For me, it's adding my boundaries and consistency to my 2020 mantra "No Fear."
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!
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This article is a service of SL DeBarros Law Firm, LLC. SLD offers a wide array of business legal services and can help you make the wisest business choices throughout life and in the event of your death. SLD also offers a Business Protection Start-Up Session or a Business Audit for an ongoing business, which includes a review of all the legal, financial, and tax systems you need for your business. Call SLD today to schedule.