;So, we’re now looking at Christmas and the end of the year that was 2020. What a year it was!
It’s certainly going to go down in history as being remarkable in so many ways. I saw a funny meme that mentioned there was nothing like this on the vision board.
2020 caught us all unawares, that’s for sure.
Still, even this crazy year is coming to an end, and a new year is just around the corner. While those new year’s bells are not going to wave a magic wand over the pandemic and other challenges that have taken hold, what we will have in our favour is that we have adapted somewhat to the situation, and a new year can signify a new start.
That’s one of the many wonderful things about the human mind, we love a new chance to hit the reset button, or as is well known, a fresh start.
In fact, there is a psychological term known as “The Fresh Start Effect”
Research in this area has found that we rise to the challenge when we’re presented with something, like a special date, 1st of month, new year, new school term, a date that is like a transition, to refocus on our goals.
This is one of the reasons we like to start a new challenge on a Monday. A new diet, a savings challenge, set goals for business – they always work better on a Monday, which is why I like to have a ‘goal focus for the week’ written down on Monday morning. Neuroscience also tells us that the physiology of actually writing something down has much greater impact than thinking about something, or recording it or even typing it on a device; writing is better.
Let’s take a look at how you can best use “The Fresh Start Effect” for your business. Those Monday goals focus are a great place to start. On a Monday think about what your goals are for the week. Just write down 1-3 areas that you will focus on. Let me know in the comments.
When we come to the end of the year, and especially a year like 2020, it deserves a little more reflection than your weekly goals focus.
We have all faced significant challenges this year. Even those businesses that have done okay financially, have still had to pivot and change in a very short space of time.
Giving yourself time to actually reflect and focus on how you have come through those challenges is a good idea.
It will also give you the space to look at how you could have done things differently, and how you will do them differently in 2021.
This new year, more than any in recent history will have us business owners taking stock and really looking at what worked this year, and what didn’t.
Having that information at hand will let you decide if you’re happy to keep on the path you’ve been on, or do you need to pivot and change direction?
How you will proceed with 2021?
For me, I have no doubt. I will be heading into the new year with all guns blazing as they say. Actually, that’s a little play on words as I’m going to work with a number of business owners to really Ignite their business right from the start.
I’m going to call this program Ignite21! It will be exclusive to a small group of business owners who I know are raring to kick some serious goals. I’m going to walk with them step by step to make 2021 a fabulous year, no matter what’s happening in the outside world. I’m really excited about it as I know it’s going to be transformational.
I’ve mentioned to you before that I’ve navigated some serious crisis over the past few decades in business. Some have been much worse than others to the point that we barely survived, some we got through with a bit of pivoting.
One thing they all had in common was that they passed, just as this one will too. We need to survive it, and be ready to hit the ground running when that ‘Fresh Start’ arrives.
Have you set your goals and plans for 2021 in place? I’d love to hear what you’re working on. Hit the reply button and let me know.
I hope you’re having a great week.
Alison & the Push! Team
PS: If you’d like to know more about Ignite21 you can register here and you’ll be the first to know.