New Year, New Organizational Standards
Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays are over, it’s time to settle into the rhythm of the new year. For some of us that means setting goals, or resolutions, for the year ahead. For others it means going back to familiar routines. Settling into the new year could also mean adjusting a routine or habit, instead of completely starting over or staying the same. It’s a nice middle ground.
There’s no one size fits all when it comes to adapting habits and plans. Maybe all you need is a deep clean and re-organization, or you’re ready to revamp an aspect of your business, like email marketing, or you’re looking for a better way to tackle tasks. This month I’ll be sharing ways you can revitalize aspects of your business.
First, I’d recommend taking some time to reflect on pieces of your business that could use a refresh or update. Are your inboxes, desktop, or files feeling cluttered and disorganized? Are you interested in new marketing opportunities? Does bookkeeping and invoicing overwhelm you? There are a wide variety of things that you can adjust, stop or add. Usually the first things that pop in your mind are a good place to start.
Here are some suggestions for moving forward in the new year.
Organize- Virtual and Concrete Spaces
Feeling like your workspace, desktop, filing system or emails are confusing to follow or overwhelming? The downtime in January and February is an excellent time to sort through your paperwork, emails, etc. Remove the old paperwork and files, put items back in their spots (or create a space for them), or set up/ refurbish your filing system.
Automate (what you can)
There are many things you can automate (or delegate) that will free up your time. Set up files in your inbox to organize leads, projects, invoices, or spam. Set up your bookkeeping to automatically sort bills and expenses or send reminders for overdue invoices. You can even automate your newsletter subscriptions or onboarding clients.
Templates (for what you cannot automate)
Some things, like projects, community relations, or certain emails, require a personal touch. For these items you can save time by creating templates that you can edit later. There are so many templates to use: content planning, invoices, marketing emails, budgets, project plans.
Review Spending Habits
The winter months are also a great time to review your budgets and spending habits. Take some time to go over subscriptions or services that no longer benefit you. Unsubscribe from blogs, newsletters, or websites that you never read (or even open). Cancel the subscriptions to services that don’t add value to your business. This will even clear up your inbox.
Adjust or Renovate Your Systems
A new year is the perfect time to refresh your internal processes and systems. Maybe there’s a better way to address client complaints, or track inventory, or an easier system for team communication.
The opportunities for growth and renewal are endless. These are just some suggestions from my experience. Focus on what feels right to you. If you are still stuck, or feel ready to delegate these tasks, feel free to reach out and book a discovery meeting. I’d be happy to help!
