“This is MY year.”

“I’m going to get into shape.   I’m going to expand my brand.  I’m going to quadruple my business.  I’m going to eat more greens.  I’m going to pray more, give more, do more.  I’m going to quit answering emails at midnight.  I am going to conquer my lack of harmony for webinars.  I am going to own this blog writing.”   Blah Blah Blah.

Yes, I’ve said them all.

And I’ve fallen short many, many times.  It’s February and I only hit my daily workout goal five times in January.  Five times!  That’s really only five glasses of wine burned off.  I’ve had a “little” more than that.

I know, I usually write about the fascinating business of background checks.  But since I own the company, I figure I’d give all of you other new women (or men) entrepreneurs out there a bit of advice.

Our personal life beckons and our business life beckons.  As an entrepreneur or career woman, I know you’re stressed.  And if you’re like me once the novelty of a new year, new me attitude fades and customers are still demanding, employees are complaining, taxes need filed, bills pile up, kids need dinner (didn’t we just feed them last night) and life calls, stress answers; and sometimes our business goals get set on the back burner… again.

Here’s the deal.  If you really want to reach your entrepreneurial and business goals it’s going to take a lot of patience and perseverance.  Remember, you ARE going to hit obstacles along the way.  You WILL have to take a step back in some cases.  But that doesn’t mean give up and stay in the same place.  Just like when you were a kid and fell off your bike; get up, dust yourself off and get back to it.

So I’m giving you the same advice for your business that my dad gave me when learning to ride a bike.  “Get up… dust off your butt and get back to it. Your elbow still bends, we can get a band-aide for it later.”  And by the way, he didn’t say butt.

MIND OVER MATTER
You have to program your brain to keep pressing forward and build will-power to achieve the things you want in your business.  Even on days when you are tired of putting out the fires, exhausted from late night emails and jet-lagged from too many business trips that month (or in my case, webinars).  When paperwork is scattered, numbers are often incorrectly crunched, deadlines are met last minute and conference calls are double scheduled…. mind. over. matter.   Keep on keeping on.

MEDITATE AND AFFIRMATION
Mediate to help clear your mind of distractions.  When my day is packed and over-loaded, theonly thing that calms my nerves is a few moments of prayer, clearing my head and giving me a new sense of focus.   Do daily affirmations reminding yourself that you can reach the finish line.  These may seem silly to some, but you have to be your own cheerleader.  If you don’t believe in you, who will?     I.  Am.  More.  Than.  Enough.  

SAVE THE DATE AND BE SPECIFIC
It’s been said a goal is a dream with a deadline.  Treat yours as such by being specific.  When a goal is too vague often times it’s hard to achieve.  Set a date when you want to accomplish the goal and create benchmarks along with the plan to track your progress.   And while youre at it, fall in love with the word “Progress” instead of “Accomplishment”.

REALIZE
Make goals that are realistic.  It is highly unlikely that I am going to close a one million dollar deal in fifteen days.  Too often people aim too high and when an unrealistic goal can’t be reached, it’s interpreted as a sign of failure.  That being said, I also have AUDACIOUS dreams… but those are long-term dreams.  Just like we know we are not going to lose 25 pounds after a one hour cardio session.  It takes time. Your goal needs to be challenging and demanding, chipping away at it little by little.  Also be willing to step out of your comfort zone and take risks.  You’re going to have to tweak some things along the way. Make some adjustments.   It isn’t going to be easy., but it will be worth it.  Patience. Is. A. Virtue.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Tell someone who supports you about your goals.  That person should be someone you trust and who will hold you accountable, even when the going gets tough. Return the favor and be that person’s partner along the way.  Keeping goals and dreams private often causes them to become forgotten and fade away.  Answer to someone.
If it’s time for a fresh start, don’t wait until New Year’s Day (again) or even next Monday.  Let me give you some wise words.  Because I know you have places to go.

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”   -Dr. Suess

Kandi Chapman, President & Founder
MBI Worldwide