The Reflection is over and ramping up in the new year has begun. So what has all this reflection allowed for?
It has allowed me to disengage from my business in order to 'feel' what is important to me, and to clarify my direction. With so much information and 'noise' coming in, it is hard to distinguish what is of real value. Towards the end of last year I was feeling jarred with tweets, followers, who to follow, what to read, what to subscribe to, what I had subscribed to, and which of the myriad of "once ever only" offers were truly essential.
Reflection has allowed me to get back to basics by coming back to my business plan. Not just any business plan but one which is driven by my personal goals about how I want to live. The whole point of being in business as far as I am concerned is for it to give me control over my own destiny. (Ok, so there are other reasons also, but this is a driving force for me). If your business is not doing this, its time to reconsider what it is all about, or perhaps how you are going about it.
I have reaffirmed my desire for a very simple business structure, for diversified income streams, and to build my business in a way where systems and structures come first, so it can all be handed over easily, and where my personal presence will not be essential for the business to work. I have been much more detailed than this in my actual plan of course, and this has now allowed me to make some solid decisions. Here are a few...
1. Email lists - which to keep, which to ditch
If it does not fit with specific, actionable goals clearly stated on my business plan, I won't subscribe. I know how to find the information again when I need it. While ideally I would only use Google Reader to keep track of content, some excellent content only comes via an email opt in (from clever marketers who know the value of your email address).
2. Social Media
I now mainly have live push-type feeds switched off, but scan feeds regularly. I have affirmed my view that what I follow needs to be useful content and not just chit chat or blatant marketing, and I will un-follow a lot of people who don't provide the content which I need right now. For my own contributions, I intend to pass on others' excellent content as I find it, or my own content.
3. Utilize Google Reader a lot more
This takes the clutter out of my inbox, allows me to categorize my inputs, and quickly scan for what is useful at a time which suits me.
Here is an example of how this all works in practice. As I was writing this post, an affiliate application I had been waiting on for for some time came though in my email. I had included as part of my multiple income stream plan to develop the affiliate part of my business this year, so I will act on this straight away. Another email came through about a great workshop I would love to attend, but I deleted this because I have made a decision to APPLY what I have learnt this year without gaining more 'cutting edge, beat the market' type of input, as incredibly enticing as it is. Big tip - delete quickly!!
So what will you be doing differently? Has the holiday, reflective period created some insights or changes for you?
Resource: If you are unfamiliar with Google Reader, check out this 60 second grab. It will free up your time incredibly.
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