Is this going to be the year that you update your retirement plans? 

Is this finally going to be the year that you start your side hustle?  

Is this going to the year that you (fill in the blank)?

No matter what year it is when the New Year appears in the horizon of our lives, we start making plans (resolutions) even just for that night.  Every year, many folks from around the world make and try to keep New Year’s resolutions.  Some of the most common resolutions are to lose weight, to stop smoking, to start exercising, and to save money.  These are just a few of the most commonly stated New Year’s resolutions, but obviously we haven’t discussed your business resolutions. 

And like most well-intentioned individuals, the resolution will last anywhere between  two weeks to two months before it is forgotten until next year.  There are also coaches (life and career) that will tell you not to waste your time with New Year’s resolutions—instead just set intentions.  An intention allows you to take thought, plan, perform, and then follow-up.  Not, bad.  Some folks actually do this.

Well, I am one of those that believes in neither resolutions or intentions.  I prefer to believe in reinventions.

What Is a Reinvention and Why Does It Work?

Mirriam Webster defines reinvention as “to make as if for the first time something already; to remake or redo completely; to bring into use again.”  So with this in mind, when you reinvent something, you are basically repurposing or reframing it.  

You are not just starting from last years’ failed attempt.  This is a totally new way of losing weight, controlling spending, etc.  Reinvention puts you in control as the one in charge and not the problem.  Everyone is either an inventor or a reinventor.  Think about it.

You are now so empowered that you can scrap what didn’t work and try a few new things.  Radically new things!  They don’t necessarily need to be that radical either. 

Reinvention is a clean slate that you own.  So, you can begin reclaiming it as something you want to move into in time.  Whether it be a new season or a new career, you begin your journey into your reinvention with careful planning.  

What Plans Do You Have For Your Business or Side Hustle?

So now, what about your home business or your dream side hustle?  What New Year’s reinventions can you make there?  More importantly, how likely are you to keep those reinventions for your 50+ work goals?

Think of a reinvention as an invention or goal that you reinvented.   As previously discussed, you are either an inventor or a reinventor.  You are coming up with something new or you are taking something already out there and reinventing it with your own spin on it.  For example, I might be taking an already existing side hustle idea like a dog walking business and putting my own uniqueness on it.  It might be a dog walking business for a particular breed or one that incorporates walks to local parks with cell phone video included.

When you have a reinvention it is up to you to decide if it is working or not.  If it is not working, then try all or at least enough options that might cause it to work.  Then be brave enough to know when it is time to just let it go.  

What Are 5 Tips to Keep Your Business’ New Year’s Goals?

With any New Year’s resolution, keep it realistic and realize that setbacks are a part of any goal accomplishment.  How many times have you been told that it takes 28 days to break an old habit?  With that in mind, here are a few pointers for keeping your home business or side hustle’s New Year’s resolutions or reinventions:

They are:

• Have no more than three goals. This will keep you better focused.  You can even use a catchy numeric sequence to remember them.  For example: 4-3-1 could mean 4 hours a day of transcription work with 3 hours a day of Internet research with 1 day off per week.
• Have reminders for yourself. According to Lisa Hawley, a clinical social worker at the Advanced Counseling for Change in North Dakota, it is putting the reminders out where you will notice them.  Keep your resolutions (reinventions) where you can actually see them (on your mirror), keep them in your thoughts, and also keep them written in your planner.
• Have an accountability partner. This is someone to whom you will have to report your successes and failures concerning your goal.  This could even be a Facebook group that you either join or create yourself.  If you are already a member of a small Facebook group, see if others might also be up for the challenge.  Consider hiring a coach as well.
• Have apps on your cell phone to help with your New Year’s resolutions. As you probably know, there are apps which can track anything from fitness goals (Fitbit, MyFitnessPal) to money spent (Key Ring).
• Have a “larger than life” calendar, but only for your work goals. I say “larger than life”, but I really mean a large desk calendar.  This would be the kind that takes up the entire desk—almost.  One that you can use to plan with, write on, draw pictures on or even use for mind mapping or doodling.  Thinking big requires a big calendar.  

Consistency and Maintainability

Something to also keep in mind, is how consistent will you be towards your goal?  Is it something you can keep up with yourself or will you need to have others helping you?  How many will you need to hire to help you or will you be able to keep your business at a level that you can keep going by yourself?  Remember, the difference between an amateur and a professional is consistency.

How much maintenance will go into this goal?  Everything requires maintenance.  We maintain our homes, our cars, our cell phones, and our appliances.  Again, everything requires maintenance.  Maintenance requires time and money, so how much of both?

In Conclusion

If you can follow these few pointers, you will realize that there are ways to set your home business up for success in the new year.  Then plan accordingly.  

While it might be fun each year to admit to others what your New Year’s resolutions are, realize this.  There is nothing sacred about January 1.  Positive change can occur any time you are ready.

So, get out there and be an all-out, purposed, living-your-true-purpose success story.  It doesn’t matter what the date on the calendar is.  Just remember a dream is a goal without a deadline and without accountability.  

Happy New Year!  And even Happier New Year’s Reinventions!  Oh, and you can try those resolutions if you like.