As woman entrepreneurs, we all want business success—however we define it. To reach that next place, though, we have to know where we are headed. That’s where goal-setting comes in, and there’s no better time than the end of one year and start of another. It’s like a blank page just waiting to be filled. So where do you begin?
Reflect on Where You’ve Been
For starters, reflect over all the areas of your life and business. In this digital world we’re in, we are constantly receiving notifications and everything seems like a priority at all times. It’s challenging to find the space and mindset to reflect, but it’s so important. Ask yourself things like:
- What have I accomplished this year?
- What went well and what didn’t?
- How have my accomplishments or goals aligned with my business mission and values?
- How did my spending have a direct impact on my business goals?
- How did I implement work-life balance this year?
- Are there any negative feelings I am harboring that I need to release?
- What am I scared of changing or implementing in my business?
- What are my priorities for next year?
- Where do I want to go?
- Who can I seek out for support on implementing my plan?
- What resources can I find within NAWBO?
Write Them Down, and Be SMART
Next, write down your goals. There’s something about putting goals on paper that makes them real and creates motivation and excitement to take action. As you write down your goals for 2023, ask yourself, are they:
- Specific?
- Measurable?
- Achievable?
- Relevant?
- Time-Bound?
In other words, are they SMART? Post your goals where you can see them—maybe in a paper journal, on a vision board on your wall or on a digital “post-it” on your computer desktop. Tell others, especially other women business owners, so they can inspire and support you and hold you accountable. Talk about not only your goals, but also how you’ll reach them.
Remember, Give Yourself Grace
As you lean into 2023 and begin working toward your new goals, remember to be flexible and to give yourself grace. Things happen in life and business and sometimes our goals or the timeline to reach them changes. Sometimes we make mistakes or have setbacks that are out of our control and we have to regroup. It’s okay to revise existing goals or come up with new ones.
Lastly, is one of your goals to become an even better leader? I hope you’ll join me in Long Beach, California, on February 6-7 at NAWBO’s 2023 Leadership Academy. We’re creating leaders for a world of change with a focus on kindness and empathy. It’s the perfect place to get inspired and talk about your goals with a group of women business owners who make it their mission to support other women business owners.
Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season!
