1.) Network more. Get yourself offline and out there! Attend industry events as well as general events – you never know just who you will meet and how you can benefit. A good place to check out events in your area is on eventbrite.
2.) Learn a new skill. I really hate that statement Jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
I agree with making sure to master something in your industry really
well. I also think knowing and learning as much as you can in all
aspects makes you an asset. This is especially helpful if you’re feeling
the burn of a stagnant career.
3.) Stop wasting time on social media. Notice that I didn’t say stop using
just stop wasting time. Don’t get bogged down looking at crazy status
updates or dramatic tweets of your friends, instead try to spend more
time on your business page than your personal page. Keep your focus on
being positive and leveraging social media to maximize your return on
investment.
4.) Get rid of dead weight. This
sounds a bit harsh but it can work wonders for your business and for
your own health. I call dead weight “psychic vampires”. They drain your
time, your energy and your funds. They can be in the form of that
customer you bend over backwards for but can never please or that
employee who feels like you are always out to get them and drags your
team down. I say fire that customer and that employee – it’s a bold move
but it will pay off in the end.
5.) Find or be a mentor. Mentors and mentoring are one the most valuable business relationships your brand can have. If you’re an
industry leader, try mentoring and spreading your knowledge to help
future founders succeed and grow. If you’re just starting out, find that
industry leader and connect with him or her. A good place to find out
more about finding or becoming a mentor is SCORE.
6.) Stay positive.
Seems so obvious, right!? However it is hard to remain positive in a
tight situation. Rely on your networks, family, and your mentor(s) to
help get you through tough situations. Think about what is so great
about you and your brand instead of thinking about how bad things are going.
Following the above, I see nothing but good things for 20102. I wish everyone the best of luck this year!
