Happy New Year!
With a new year here already, now is the time to sit down and think about how you want your business to grow in 2024! You may have some ideas of what you want to achieve over the next 12 months, but it can be hard to know exactly where to start. The good news for you is, I’ve compiled a list of suggestions for setting goals and resolutions that will help move your business forward in the new year.
Be clear about your goals.
To achieve success, you need to be specific about your goals. If you don’t know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?
When setting your business-related resolutions for 2024, keep these points in mind:
- Be clear about what it is that you want to achieve and make sure your ideas are realistic and achievable. For example, if one of your goals is to “increase revenue by 30%”, this potentially may be too difficult if there isn’t enough time available or if other factors (such as market conditions or staff availability) mean that the increase isn’t feasible right now. Instead, try setting smaller targets such as increasing revenue by 5% or 10%. This way it’s easier for everyone involved to understand what’s expected and hopefully leads to goals that are accomplished from reasonable expectations.
Set a schedule and stick to it.
Setting a schedule and sticking to it is important for anyone who wants to get the most out of their time. It’s easy to get distracted by social media or other things that are not on your list of priorities, but if you set a realistic schedule and stick with it, there will be no room for excuses when it comes time for work.
To set an effective schedule:
- Decide what needs to be done each day (and week). Write down all of your tasks in order from least urgent up to most urgent. This will help ensure that everything gets done without feeling overwhelmed. Make sure each task has its own place on this list so nothing slips through the cracks unintentionally–this could lead to bad habits later, which makes life harder than it needs to be!
Keep track of your progress.
To keep track of your progress, you can use a spreadsheet, app, or even a handwritten list. There are many different options out there, so choose the one that works best for your needs. Some people prefer to use an app because they can access it on their phone and track their progress while they’re out and about. Others prefer using web-based spreadsheets because they don’t have to worry about losing their work if their device crashes or runs out of battery power; the data is always saved online! Raise Montana can assist you in selecting a Child Care Management Software system that can support many aspects of operating your child care business and I strongly suggest checking them out. Whatever method you choose will depend on how much control you want or need, as well as how important it is for you to have quick access to see what’s working (and not working).
Don’t forget about yourself.
As you’re working to grow your business, don’t forget about yourself! You will be more productive and effective if you take care of yourself. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Don’t work all the time. Make sure to take breaks and rest so that you can stay fresh and energized throughout the day. Owning and/or operating a child care program can be mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting, so self-care is critical to be successful.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others, when necessary, especially if it’s something such as a quick question or task that won’t take a lot of time or energy on their part (e.g., “My computer isn’t working properly; can I borrow yours?”). This allows others to help out without feeling overwhelmed themselves.
- Make sure you have someone else around who understands what kind of pressure is involved when running a business 24/7; this person could even become another partner in your business (like MCCBC), since we all need support sometimes. Montana has a great system of support for the early childhood field, so be sure to reach out, ideally before you are at a crisis point!
As a small business owner, it’s important to take charge of your business in the new year. We all know that resolutions can be difficult to keep and sometimes don’t even make sense for our lives, but if you want to see real change in 2024, some of these tips may work for you!
Need some small business support? Contact us today to schedule a one-on-one consultation!
– Rhonda Schwenke, Program Director
