The start of the year we have goals and resolutions, and that’s wonderful. I’ve got them too. But first thing’s first. This month I’m focusing on one step you must accomplish before you’re off to the races: Hitting the reset button. 

Before heading out into the wilderness to crush your goals, you have to look at where your business stands now, and what requires adjustment in order to achieve your benchmarks throughout the year. 

If you’re working with a team, I want to make sure you’re set up to be a strong leader. Instead of that translating to you doing more, I want you to set up systems in your company that help you do less of the day to day functions and focus your energy on your mission and legacy. Start by focusing on these three areas:

1. Delegate – Let it go, let it go (sorry for the earworm). As a business owner, it’s hard to give the reins to someone else. But! You must hire people you trust, and empower them with autonomy over their roles. Delegate more, so you can work in your business less, and on it the way you intended. When you have a small business, it’s easy to get caught up on the micro-details of the day to day tasks. Alert! Trap! You’re wasting potential and valuable time in your business if you’re not delegating. You cannot grow your business if you don’t let go of the aspects of it that can easily be handled by a team member. Maybe there is business knowledge that you have, which no one else in your company does. Then share it! Knowledge sharing is the ultimate way to empower those you share it with. It may take a little time, but in the long run, you’ll save time and your business will run efficiently. 
2. Create systems – Take a look at what you can do to create systems, eliminate linchpins and redundancies in your business. We had our entire team create a systems board for their jobs, videos and all. Now, we can all refer to those boards if someone is out. Our company will never be “stuck” when it comes to delegation. Not sure where to start? Clockwork Revised and Expanded is your go to for delegation in your business. 
3. Plan a four week vacation – Moving forward with the first two steps will ensure this is a feasible concept for you and your employees as well.  I know. Entrepreneurs aren’t necessarily open to the idea of a long vacation. The thing is, time away from your business isn’t just for your sanity. If you are creating a legacy business, then you need to know that the company is 100% sustainable without you. The same goes for your team members. By asking each employee to schedule a four week vacation, you will be able to leverage your systems or create new ones defending on the result of that person being away. What should happen is that others can easily follow their documented system, covering for someone when they’re not available. This will ensure that those pesky redundancies and linchpins are not existent, or will illustrate any adjustments required. 

Where will you go this year? I’d love to know, so tell me in the comments!

Wishing you health and wealth (and a big fat vacation).

Mike