Last year was a doozy. So much uncertainty, daily changes, and restrictions imposed all over the world.
We all learned to adapt. We’re starting a new year. You’ve mastered the art of going with the flow.
Are you ready to make it your best year?
It’s true many businesses struggled last year. That means things can only get better from here, right? So how are youmaking that happen? We’ve learned what helped businesses continue to thrive. We learn from their mistakes.
Grow a positive mindset.
Focus on good things – mentally and emotionally. Expect positive outcomes. Behaviour often reflects how you view yourself, even if you may not realize it. Believe in your ability. You will be able to put goals into an actionable plan and execute it.
Developing a positive mindset helps avoid physical and mental diseases. Positive thinking helps you avoid anxiety, stress, and frustration. It can feel almost impossible to see the good when you’re in a bad situation.
No one is always chipper.
We all have bad days.
With a few adjustments to your mindset, you can improve your life.
How can I make 2021 the best year?
You may be feeling overwhelmed and not want to begin the process of improving your mindset. I understand, it sounds like a lot of work, at first.
It’s not as overwhelming as it seems.
Improve in a few areas to make this your most productive year.
Set goals for you.
Do you want to start your own business? That’s great, write that down. How are you going to get there? Having a few big goals are like the daily increments you drive each day on a long road trip. Figure out what needs to happen to get from point A to point B, and in between. Set smaller goals to reach your end destination. Remember to dream big.
Make your dreams happen.
Write down smaller, practical goals to get you to your final destination as a business owner. Make a vision board with motivational words and pictures. Put your goals where you’ll see them every day so your momentum propels you forward. Practical goals to act on make it easier to get the big stuff accomplished.
Be realistic.
So many people dream big. Take baby steps towards a goal to avoid overwhelm and continue moving forward. Make your life less stressful. It’s not a race to get it done so keep moving forward. A little bit every day will get you to where you want to be.
Take time to reassess your goals. Sometimes we hold back. Fear of failure is real. You can do so much in 90 days. Check yourself every so often, try every month, to see what you’ve accomplished. You may be able to add to your list or change goals to better suit you as things fall into place. Be kind to yourself and trust the process.
Break it down.
Consider what motivates you to keep going. Do you have to-do items on your list because people told you they are necessary? Or are your tasks actually important to you, in alignment with your values and goals? Think about what you care about and what you want out of your life. Break down those goals into monthly plans, then weekly, and daily actions.
Daily to-do lists make things manageable and easier for you to follow through. Focus on that day’s tasks to help you avoid distractions. It brings satisfaction to see a day’s work completed. You know what you are accomplishing.
You’re making it happen.
Prepare weekly.
Any successful business owner will tell you to set aside one day a week for planning. Pick any day. Some do Friday, others pick Sunday night, whatever day works for you. When you know the plan for the week, your week will be successful. Productive weeks lead to a productive year.
Take time to check emails, schedule phone calls, meetings, and training. Give yourself ample time to get all your to-do lists done. Unexpected events come up. Kids get sick, the heater breaks, things will come up. Leave some room for the unexpected things that you can’t plan. Ensure your ability to finish tasks each week. Knowing you performed all tasks is like a weight off your shoulders.
Put your gratitude into words.
Everything around you is uncertain and changing. It’s easy to fall into negative thinking. Shift your mind into positivity by being grateful for the little things. There will always be obstacles in life. Learn from the hurdles you overcome. Training yourself to be grateful takes practice. Say and write down what you’re grateful for. It leads to healthy aging, better health, and an improved immune system.1
Start this habit by investing in a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re thankful for. No cheating. It has to be something different than the previous day. This forces your brain to think about the small joys in your life. You’ll notice a difference in your thinking when you use your energy to focus on the good.
Welcome successful people.
Connect with other people who have an “abundance of life” mindset. Their habits and thinking rub off on you. You notice when your kids hang out with certain friends, they pick up the habits of the people they are with. The same is true for adults.
Successful people tend to think with a “glass half full” mentality and they grow because of it. Positive thinking and personal growth go hand in hand like whipped cream on a milkshake. Being around positive people increases your chances of picking up a productive mindset.
Put yourself first.
As moms, self-care is often the last thing we make time for. Moms are superheroes, always putting everyone else’s needs above their own. They often neglect themselves. Everyone needs a break from time to time, even if it’s 5 minutes of silence in the bathroom.
Schedule time for you. Read a book. Get your nails done. Go for a walk. Watch a movie on your laptop in your bedroom. Take a nap. Anything to give yourself what you need.
As a business owner, it’s important to take care of yourself so you don’t get burnt out. Preventing burnout avoids forcing you to take time off. Time off is not enjoyable when you’re ill. Don’t forget the simple things, like getting enough sleep, exercising, and asking for help when you need it. Schedule breaks for yourself so you can be available for your family.
Leave your comfort zone.
We all have our bubble of comfort that we don’t like to pop. It’s hard! The very thought of doing something you’re not comfortable with may sound daunting. It makes your palms sweaty thinking about it.
You’ve already done this before. You will come out stronger on the other side. Do you remember your first day of school? That nervous feeling of the unknown ahead of you? You went to school anyway. Things turned out fine. You faced uncomfortable situations easier as time went on because of your experiences.
You’ve been leaving your comfort zone your whole life, don’t stop now. Every time, you move past the paralyzing fear. You become more confident, creative, and adaptable to change. Moving past your insecurities opens up new possibilities for growth.
You can do this!
Learn and teach by your example.
No one will ever know everything. We will always be students, learning new methods and improving. Investing in yourself helps you achieve your goals and live your best life. When people see the effects your thinking has on you, others want to know what your secret.
Part of this process is learning to accept criticism. No one likes to hear that something they are doing isn’t good enough. Help yourself by accepting it. Think of it as a business improvement instead of a personal one. You’ll grow faster than other entrepreneurs who are not willing to accept suggestions.
Grow your mindset and watch it trickle into other aspects of your life. I promise you will see an improvement in your happiness by improving your mindset.
We all had a crummy year but it’s time to look ahead toward the future.
Join other FITpreneurs on their mindset journey. Learn how they were able to improve their mindset in just a few minutes a day.
Tap below to jumpstart your positive mindset.
