Hey TRAKstars! Welcome to 2018. It’s a fresh start, a brand new year full of possibility. You’ve got big dreams, and now’s the time to start achieving. To start with, you’ll need a plan! So, let’s talk about how you can create your framework for the year to come!
Last week, we talked about getting a running start and determining your word for 2018. That’s an important part of your framework, but today we’re going to focus on a few other elements that are incredibly critical when it comes to setting achievable goals and then taking actual steps to achieve them. Today’s exercises may be easier if you’ve got a pen and paper handy, or an open document on your screen to jot some notes and run some simple figures.
So, once more, let’s start by looking back. Do you know what you achieved last year? Not what you think you achieved, but what actually happened? Have you looked at the details?
How did you invest in your business?
How many new connections did you create?
How many hours a day, week, and month were you spending on your business?
Maybe you have these statistics at your fingertips -- and if so, that’s great! If you don’t, Traktivity will help you monitor and maximize your activity in 2018, and you can set up any other systems you need right now.
Knowing the details of your work is what allows you to actually understand your progress, your stumbling blocks, and whether you’re meeting your potential.
Now that you’ve considered your history, let’s look at this year and what you want to achieve.
Considering your goals for your entire lifestyle, decide how much time you’ll give to your business each day or week. It’s hard to visualize time when you move beyond the week timeframe, so start with a smaller number and then we’ll do some easy math to look at what that means for your whole year.
Here’s an example: Say you have 2 hours a day to devote to your business, 5 days a week.
This means, over the course of the entire year (52 weeks), you’re looking at 520 hours. How can you spend them most effectively?
Now, think about what your business activity looks like. Maybe you know you’ll spend an average of thirty minutes on an initial conversation. Three hours to prepare and host an event or launch. Five minutes to log a reachout. Twenty minutes to create and schedule your social media posts for the week.
Look at your other blocks of time and common activities, whether it’s accounting or researching new developments or products, participating in training calls, or following up with happy clients.
Knowing how much time things take will help you gauge your activity and allot your daily or weekly work hours in a smart, effective way.
And here’s the most important thing - however much time you say you’ll give to your business, make sure you’re actually giving that time to your business.
So often, we say we’ll devote 2 hours a day, but then end up delayed or deterred when a child gets sick, an errand runs long, or something else requires your precious time. I get it, life happens! Don’t beat yourself up when your best-laid plans are thrown off kilter.
But, do create an expectation that your work time is your time to focus on work. If you need to, schedule other blocks during the day or the week to spend surfing Facebook, or shopping for sales, or take a break with a cup of tea and stare out the window. Self-care is important, but it can also become an excuse if we’re not thoughtful.
Now, let’s look at your business from the other direction. We’ve emphasized the importance of building your work schedule and committing to put in the hours. Sometimes, though, it can be difficult to put in the time and the work when you’re not seeing an immediate reward.
So, let’s look again at those 520 hours. Say your goal is to make $10,000 this year. That means for each hour you work, you’re bringing in nearly $20. Not a bad hourly wage!
Maybe you made more than that last year, and this year you want to break $50,000. This takes your hourly wage up to $96!!
You may argue that this isn’t exactly accurate - it’s a forecast, not a salary. After all, you’re not guaranteed a certain wage or income level as if you were working a more traditional job.
But here’s why this is important: because today, we’re talking about setting a framework and working toward achievable goals.
If, every time you sat down at your computer to do your work, you told yourself you were making $20, $30, $100, or more per hour -- don’t you think you’d feel pretty motivated to do some good work in that time? Don’t you think it would be harder to brush aside your plan and watch a TV show, instead?
Remember, the one thing we can control in our businesses is ourselves. Our own activity. This is why it’s so critical to create a strong foundation that will set the framework for how we spend our time, reinforce our values and our Why, and help us to pursue our goals with passion and dedication.
So, what’s your framework? How much will you work? Can you shift your perspective to see the actual VALUE of your time?
If you can commit yourself across 2018 to take yourself seriously, treat your business like a business, and do the work, you’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish.
Next week, I’ll be back with some motivating resources and suggestions on how to continue to leverage your energy and kick-start your 2018.
And don't forget, until January 4 you can take advantage of our New Year Blast Off promotion! Sign up for the TRAKstar PRO plan and save 50% for your first two months, using Coupon Code “2018”!
