New Year’s Resolutions — How I’m Doing So Far

Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009

As we finish January and enter February, I decided to take a look at my New Year’s Resolutions and see how I’m progressing with my goals for 2009.

I look forward to creating New Year’s Resolutions each year. For me, looking back on the previous year and evaluating the change in my business in order to set goals has always been an exhilarating process. It makes all of the hard work, challenging set-backs, changes in business plan and strategies for growth seem to transcend time and teach me part of the bigger picture.

Here is a short list of my 2009 Resolutions and how I’m learning to make things work:

1. Work Smarter – Not Harder

This is an ongoing resolution, but one that I make each year. Have you ever made it to the end of a month and have no idea what you have done but know that you worked as hard as you could? This happens to the best of us and I’m working to solve it with setting a simple goal structure.

In the courier business, many of our days are spent on the defensive – finding out about packages, working around Houston’s traffic issues or dealing with last minute changes or emergency deliveries. Sometimes it’s hard to make that to-do list and accomplish everything on it – or anything on it on some days. Daily goal setting won’t fix the epidemic of constant distractions, but it will help to keep you moving forward and focused on the big picture.

I start each day with a list of goals and end each day by analyzing that list and determining my time-eaters. Knowing what eats away at your time is the first step towards recovery. It’s a process, but one that is worth it.

2. Get Organized

No organization system looks the same because every person thinks differently, however you have to find a system that works for you. And by works, I mean keeps you focused on those goals that we talked about earlier. Tons of places to help with this – get a calendar, manage your tasks, file things and if you can afford to do it – get an assistant.

3. Learn Something New

Keeping your business growing and moving means that you have to stay growing and moving. So learn something that is related to your current industry or even better make yourself more familiar with how you can use the internet to improve your business. Social media is breaking down the barriers from business owner to customer faster than you can say Facebook.

As you can see, blogging is one of my “new things” and I’m really enjoying it. I would highly recommend reaching out to your customers and connecting with them on a more human level. People like to do business with people they know. So, let’s get to know each other.

4. Build Rock Solid Processes

Say this with me, “I will make a plan and then work my plan.” You would never build a house without a foundation and you should never run a business without having a solid plan that your work can flow through. If you already have processes in place, make them better. The more solid that you make this area of your business, the less time you will spend putting out fires.

5. Make more time for Family

For those of you who know me personally, you know I’m surrounded by women. I’m married to a beautiful woman and she has given me 2 beautiful girls and a third girl coming any day now. While this can be a huge challenge, it’s also the most rewarding thing in my life. Don’t get me wrong, my business means the world to me but my girls are my top priority. You need to have the same mindset. Opportunities will come and go, but my family is my rock. Get your priorities in line and the rest will follow. Trust me.

Well, there you have it… my 2009 Resolutions. There are a few more that make the list each year, but these are the most important to me.

What about you? How are your resolutions going?

Until Next Time,

Eric

Tags: 2009, courier service, Family, goals, new year, organization, resolutions, to do list

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