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My Five Business Resolutions for a New Year
By Samuel Ryan     Online Business     Comments

I like January. When a new year comes around, it helps me focus on the future and brings fresh energy into the workplace. Granted, feelings pass quickly and without careful resolutions and follow-through, it's easy to squander the new year's energy. So after some thought, I've made a few resolutions. I don't expect everyone to agree with them, but perhaps you'll find a useful point or two amongst them and then share some of your own goals.



Channel the Positive.

Most people have a hard time with individuals who think ord act differently than they do. As any author, artist, entrepreneur, or freelancer will tell you, there are always people who think you're making a mistake, telling you to get "real" job. It's interesting to read blogs of successful businesspeople -- only to see how many commenters tell the writer how utterly clueless he or she is. So this year, I will try not to get into pointless negativity with people who think I'm foolish or insensible. Furthermore, I will not dismiss people who have their own ideas and ambitions, but instead encourage them along the way. Because as cliché as it sounds, a positive attitude does matter, and it can make a difference in productivity and successful behavior.


Reach the Finish.

Few young designers or developers say say they want to work 8 to 5 for the rest of their life. Everyone seems to have some idea of what or where they want to be years down the road. I could name dozens of friends who've had "great ideas" in the last 3 years -- but maybe 5% of them have actually followed through. Ideas, as long as they stay undone, are useless. Taking some intial steps is better (registering a domain name, creating a rudimentary business plan, etc.), but that falls short as well (and can waste more time than simple daydreadming). So I plan to finish what I start this year, knowing that to complete something and fail is better than to have never started.


Stay on Target.

I'm the sort of person who is easily distacted (maybe that's just a Generation X/Y thing). This is problematic because the internet has Wikipedia, ESPN, Reddit, and a thousand other distractions. I also tend to get involved in online discussions of things that have no bearing on my family, career, or future. This year, I want to keep asking myself, "Does this matter?" and, "Will I look back at this time spent and regret it?" Sure, I'll still have downtime, but I also need to remember that there are only 24 hours a day. Those who can focus will find success.


Be a Yes-Man.

Going back to my negative tendencies, I often find myself turning down work or potential projects because they are inconvenient or go against my currently established comfort zone. Having "no" as a typical answer is not a successful attitude (although I still believe that "No" can be valid in some situations). I plan to still be discerning about projects, but I'll stay away from the habitual "No."


Remember that Money is a Good Thing.

Many people (including those in the creative industry) often categorize money as a bad thing. We point to Wall Street crooks, pop bands, and romance novelists as people who have "sold out" in search of more money. Any business that has to use cheaper parts or scale back on customer service must certainly be run by a bunch of greedy executives, we conclude. Sure, there are some who have crossed lines that we wouldn't to make a buck, but many people have not. It's completely honorable and worthwhile to make as much money as you ethically can. If you have the talent to generate services and products people want, do it. 

So there they are, for better or for worse. Go ahead and throw some of your own out...


Community Comments
Comments are now closed.

1
Neil Matthews
I've got to agree with your stay on target point, I've got the same problem, I love the start of a project and the excitement of learning the new stuff, I trail off toward the end.

With that in mind I have a new mantra

"Do One Thing"

It's on my cork board helping me to keep my focus.


2
OhDavey
Great post. I need to adopt these for my life as well.

The real challenge or question is how do we truly stick to our goals? You hit it on the head when you said "Granted, feelings pass quickly and without careful resolutions and follow-through, it's easy to squander the new year's energy."

Come April or May, I often find myself behind schedule or making the same mistakes I told myself I wouldn't. Any tips?


3
Ramayadi
New year is New hopes, New Inspiration, New mood :D

Good luck with your strategy in this year


4
Alon Peer
A good set of resolutions to follow. I think I'll adopt them for my first freelancing year.

Thanks!


5
Manfred
Yes, remember that money is a good thing :) everyone can be a winner, it's not a limited amount of money out there... we are creating wealth as the society evolves.

"Reach the finish" - yes, launched our own freelance network late december 2008 and 2009 is the year of "finish" :)


6
James
Well there are so many sites from where you can get lots of freelance projects e.g. scrptlance.com, savvylance.com, getfreelancer.com...

These are few top ranked sites from where you can get lots of data entry, web design, graphic design, internet marketing projects.

enjoy!!


7
Katie
Reinvestment is always a good strategy for growth but what does that really mean for a freelancer. More training so that you can offer a wider range of services? An improved website?


8
AsifA
Like the post and always good to put this down in writing... hope you'll review yourself against these goals come the middle and end of the year.

On the issue of positivity, i would agree it matters, but it should be rooted in genuine and sincere ideals... otherwise, you'll find yourself faking it or deluding yourself .. and then it's all back to square one.

Anyway, i like the post... and if you dont mind, i'll make some of these my goals too. Particularly like the '..knowing that to complete something and fail is still better than to have never started.' But i wonder if i'll spend too long wondering which of the ideas to press ahead with.



9
Thiru
Enjoyed ur post...Nice read....took away 2 related points...

1. Ideas, as long as they stay in your wishful thinking, are useless.

2. To complete something and fail is still better than to have never started

Thanks
Thiru


10
Alik Levin | PracticeThis.com
"Channel the positive" is my favorite.
I think it all boils down to emotional intelligence. Making everyone to mentor you - even those who seriously harshly critique you - is the way to learn more and grow
Good stuff!


11
denny
Totally agree with all your points, especially #1. Thanks for posting!


12
Maintenance Software Programs
Hi i have appreciate your posting. A good set of resolutions to follow. I think I'll go back on previews your work..


13
Evan
Here's to your new year hope. Cheers.


14
Software Development Companies
I love like this post... and if you dont mind, i'll make some of these my goals too. thanks again


15
Freelancer
Hey Ryan, have you heard of odesk.com.. give it a try its a wonderful site for freelancer.. well anyways i like your tips buddy..

Keep up blogging


16
keith
Great post, it is always tough to stay on track all the way through a year, but if you stay grounded you can achieve your goals. I wish you much success!


17
Yani
My friends laughed when I said I was going to support my family working from home…until I did. I credit this blog: http://freelancemoney.wordpress.com/ for showing me how to win consistently. Read it!
Yani


18
Paul the Knight
Great tips, especially channeling positivity. I think many freelancers go through a 'peak-and- trough' scenario whereby they feel up on cloud nine one minute, and then super negative the next.

AS you say some blogs and business people on the news (and family) dont really help.


19
roma
It's always difficult to stick to a goal, I always like challenges, but again how to do stay focus isn't easier.

I am a freelancer and has been using Elance and another site like ivoireconsultancy.org- I have made promises to only work on these two sites for the remaining of the year 2009. But finding it difficult.


20
Game
Thank you for the post. I need to adopt these for my life as well.


21
Awxus
Good Luck for your success with your 5 resoulutions


22
Elsoft
Nice blog and it would be great if you can share with us how good or bad the year 2009 has been so far.

Once again Thanks for sharing.
www.surefirehire.com


23
erase
i totally agree with you. It's easy to start a project but it's much more harder to complete it till finish!
For those who are looking for freelance jobs please see this site http://www.getafreelancer.com/affiliates/erase/


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Sunny Days & Rain
What is all this?
My name is Samuel Ryan and I make websites. Sometimes, I write about it. I disappeared from this blog for a couple years, but I'm jumping back in now -- even began using my twitter account. If you care to know more, go here.