Happy New Year! 😀
As one year ends and another begins, I always find myself excited about a fresh new year ahead... and also reflecting on things that really stand out to me about the year behind.
2013 was a doozy of ups and downs. I started the year off with the flu, followed by surgery and an unusually difficult (and ridiculously long!) recovery. I finally got my stride back, and ended the year on a fabulous note! As I look back over it all, there are 10 things that really stand out to me as points I want to take with me into the New Year...
1. Passive Income is a REAL save. I've always known this, but it was never so amplified as it was in the first half of 2013 while I was unable to actively work. It made me incredibly grateful for the time I invested in creating sources of passive income that cover my expenses.
2. Get it done. Ready or not. Perfect or not. Just go live. Do it. Period. You can fix, revise, improve as you go! Getting something done less than perfect is better than getting nothing done at all. 😉 See: Act Fast!
3. There are HUGE benefits to using Google+ in your business! 2013 was the year I really started paying attention to Google+ and actively using it in my business. Amazing (fast) results! Download the Free Google+ Guide
4. Results sell. Don't sell products. Don't sell services. Sell Results. Even with your blog post titles, opt-in incentives, etc, always consider how the ideal reader will benefit from it when you write your copy. On that note, be sure to check this out.
5. Stop trying to get traffic. Just meet, connect and engage with your market... where they are. It's faster, easier, less stressful, and gets quicker / better results.
6. Link building is old school. Just be link-worthy: Say something worth linking to. If you invest your time on that, you'll get much higher quality links and referrals than trying to build links yourself (which is totally boring).
7. Question the voices in your head - always. Ask "why?" Ask "what's the worst that could happen?" Respond logically, not emotionally. (The voices in your head are NOT always right.)
8. Sculpt your peer circle. Your friends, business peers and general associations influence you heavily. They affect your attitude, your motivation, your productivity - everything. Be intentional with who you spend time with, who you listen to, and who you associate yourself with - both personally and professionally. Cut ties, make new connections, and choose wisely.
9. Do what you can do, when you can do it, as well as you can do it. Focus on what you can do, and what you have done, instead of what you can't or haven't. Don't dwell. DO.
10. Make FUN a priority. Laugh, love, rest, celebrate, read. Schedule it in if you have to. Life is short, and every day should be enjoyed!
What about you? Leave a comment below and name at least ONE thing that you picked up over the last year that will really stay with you as a great lesson learned that you want to continue to apply to your life...
Best,
p.s. Are you on my mailing list? I have lots of fun stuff coming up in the year ahead - including a powerful free webinar I'll be hosting this Wednesday (January 8th). Use the orange box below to make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss out. 😉
About Lynn Terry
#5 is the best one I guess. I have heard it from all experts like you and noticed it myself that trying to get traffic mostly takes us nowhere. While trying to make new friends, connecting to new like minded people results in boost in traffic. Thanks for sharing this informative post.
#5 is definitely tops. I've been teaching all year: "Stop Selling. Start serving your market." as well as "Stop trying to get traffic, just go where they already are." It's a lot more fun, and you get much better & faster results! 😉 *cheers*
Hi Lynn,
I really have to embrace your #2 - Get it done! Ready or not. Perfect or not.
I've listed 'My Lessons For a New Year' at http://straighttalklife.blogspot.com/2014/01/my-lessons-for-new-year.html. Would love you and your readers to comment. Thanks for your support and efforts in 2013.
Hi Dianne! It was actually YOUR post that inspired mine. 😀 I have a personal rule, which is: "create as much content as you consume". So after I read your blog post yesterday (which I really enjoyed) I outlined this one you read here. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration!! *cheers*
I really like #numbers 3 and 4. And I need to start taking Google+ more seriously too. I think I still think of social media of some kind of necessary evil - probably not a good attitude!
LOL Satu - it's definitely necessary, and definitely not evil. 😉 You'll ENJOY it once you dig in and get on a roll!
I really like #5 and #7. I am somewhat of a shy/introvert type of person and I know that I have to proceed ahead and not let that stop me and I have been doing that slowly but surely. It's a lot better to connect with people then, just focus on traffic. You get better traffic and it is more beneficial in the long run. Thanks for sharing this with us Lynn as usual it has been very helpful.
Thank you! I'm actually an introvert myself, and used to be painfully shy even - though I have finally gotten past that (thankfully!). People seem surprised when I talk about being an introvert, but the truth is that I do most of my work in the comfort of my own home - in the comfort of my PJ's even, lol.
The real difference between an extrovert and an introvert is not outgoing vs shy like most people assume. An extrovert is energized by being around people, and they don't enjoy being alone as much. An introvert (shy or not) is drained by a crowd or too much interaction, and energized by alone time.
Anyway, yes - don't let that hold you back! It hasn't held me back. 😉 *cheers*
# 2-5 is really good for me. We just focus on our market and all our works done. 30 menites is enough if we focus on these tasks and 15 for monetezing steps. Thanks Lynn for this sharing.
I think the #6 one is best and very helpful as link building plays a vital role.
Hey Lynn, I must say that’s a cool list to start the new year with. I believe we learn things all the time. Every day teaches you something new. A year does the same, and yes I too have learnt a lot from the mistakes I committed in 2013. It's time to change my ways for a better today and tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Lynn,
You put together an awesome bucket list of things to do to stay on track for this year - I agree with everything that you said. I especially like how you link to other helpful content - like the Free Google+ guide, I had somehow missed that and will definitely be checking it out (I love Google+ but I'm sure I can use it even better than I am currently).
The only thing I would add to this (that probably should be obvious) is that no matter what it is you want to achieve, you have to clear time and space out of your schedule and actually do it yourself. You have to "do your own push ups". I find that whenever we tend to get drawn into bright and shiny objects, we've allowed ourselves to be hypnotized into thinking that purchasing this product or software will solve all of our problems...but that's like saying a gym membership will help you lose weight (which it won't unless you show up every day and put in the effort).
If I had to boil it down to a single word - it would be "consistency". Without consistently taking daily action it's impossible to build up momentum. My biggest goal is this year is to be productive daily, because I know that if I can get that one missing piece to work that lots of results will come with it.
Happy New Year!
Great points, Michael! I agree 100% 😉
Happy New Year ^_^
I must write so many words to add this comment 🙁
lol - Happy New Year to you too! 😉
This is great, Lynn! #2 is the big one for me - one (just one) of my many pitfalls! LOL I Plan, I Think, I Analyze, I Enable and Encourage others but personally? I'm slow to pull the trigger because of all that planning, thinking, analyzing, etc. I'm not one to "put myself out there" if I already know it's not as good as it should be. If I KNOW I can make something better, then I'm also a Fixer, just not always a Fast Fixer, mind you! But you are right...just get 'er done should be my mantra for 2014. Enough time wasted in 2013, time to get moving - act fast! Happy New Year!
Hi Sherie 😀
That's a great goal! The fact is, it will never be "perfect" - or even "the best it can be" - not in our own eyes anyway. Put it out there, whatever IT is, and fix/revise/improve as you go! 😉
I look back at my first blog post. My first 100 even. And I cringe. lol. The only way to get good at what you do and see consistent improvement (ie: PROFIT and faster results) is to put it into practice and get on a roll. 😉 *cheers
Personally, #2 resonates with me.
In fact, I created a concept for a New Year's weight loss program about Dec 20th but obviously didn't have time to create it up front.
So, I put it out to my list as if I had, created the first few days of the program, and essentially was paid up front to create the program. I could have just bagged the idea because I thought of it too late, but I did the best I could with the time I had and just went with it.
And no, it isn't perfect but I get to improve it constantly!
Awesome, Susan! Way to go - kudos for jumping in with both feet and putting it out there! 😉 *cheers*
I agree with Susan about #2. I have struggled with that one before and I know many people struggle in that field. Sometimes it's better to go live with whatever you're doing even when it's not perfect. Then, fix it with feedback. 🙂
Agree 😉 DONE is better than wishing you'd done it. 😀
They're all great ideas to keep in mind. My biggest takeaway is #10. In the last 2 years we have lost our retirement $ in a failed startup, my partner almost died due to related stress and we are now both 'retirees' searching for a '3rd trimester' income stream doing something we love. Enjoying each day and making time for fun is what helped us survive and start moving toward thriving! #11 might be 'Do what you love!"
#10 is BIG for me too, Diana! It's so important to celebrate life, practice gratitude, and live IN the moment - for all it offers. Life can really throw some curve balls, that's for sure. Kudos to you for focusing on the positives! *cheers*
I guess I want to focus on no. 2 and 10. I want to do things according to my plans and avoid procrastination as much as possible and have fun after that. I realized I got so busy with work and with my kids these past years and I haven't had a good vacation since then.
FUN is definitely a requirement in my world. 😀 Good plan!!
Mine is definitely #2 - Get it done. Ready or not. Perfect or not! I need to do this all year long in 2014! I'm a huge procrastinator and this year I want to change that! Thanks for the post Lynn! 🙂
(Hugs). = )
It's working really well for me. Push yourself past the barriers and force a breakthrough. 😉 You got this!!
My personal favourite is #3 - I was reluctant to using Google+ at first because it's already so much effort to use Facebook properly, however I do realise now that when Google wants you to use one of their tools or services, people who refuse always end up losing!.. and I definitely don't want to be part of that group! 🙂
You're not alone on being reluctant, Neil. 😉 I'm really enjoying it though, now that I've gotten in the habit of getting on Google+ for a small Time Block each day. And yes, there are HUGE benefits to being there!! *cheers*