Key questions to ask yourself at the end of the year

As a service-based business owner, long gone are the corporate days of uninspiring end-of-year reviews and awkward appraisals that never really meant anything or provided much value in terms of guidance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take some time for reflection. The end of the year is still the perfect opportunity to look back on the year that was and think about where you are in your business, uncover what’s not working and make a plan for where you want to take it in 2024.

Maybe you're contemplating a shift in focus, aiming to pivot towards a new ideal client, or considering a strategic change to your services or packages so you can increase your income without working all the hours. Perhaps launching a new course or programme is on your mind, but you're unsure of your next steps. Or maybe, you just want to fall back in love with your business again and figure out how to get that spark back.

Whatever your aspirations for the upcoming year, use these questions to ensure you start 2024 as you mean to go on...

1 - What brought you the most joy in your business?

Identify what aspects of your work brought you joy and satisfaction. Was it a particular client interaction, project achievements, hitting an income goal or networking and meeting new people? Looking back at the moments that mattered and where you felt most fulfilled and satisfied will help you see where you want to spend your time and energy in the coming year. Commit to doing more of these things in 2024 to make sure you don’t fall out of love with your business.

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2 - What tasks did you love doing?

Do more of this too! Your business should be enjoyable – that’s why you left corporate in the first place, right? However, a word of warning - just because you love doing something, it doesn’t mean it's the best use of your time. As the saying goes, do what you do best and outsource the rest! Your time should be focused on activities that need YOU and are in your zone of genius – the things that feel effortless for you to do and bring you joy and fulfilment. Anything else could be outsourced. It’s far more cost-effective and they can probably do it quicker and better than you can!

3 - What tasks did you hate doing?

Whether it's a lack of know-how, time, or inclination, acknowledge tasks that drained your energy, enthusiasm, or expertise. One of the best things about it being YOUR business is you get to choose which tasks you don’t want to do. As above, explore possibilities for outsourcing the tasks you hate, drain your energy or aren’t in your area of expertise. Find someone else you can work with who excels in them, freeing up your time and ensuring each aspect of your business receives the attention it truly deserves…and doesn’t leave you wanting to throw the towel in on your business. These can include your accounting, social media marketing, writing and editing, website design, development or maintenance, design, and customer service.

4 - What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Many of us don’t take the time to step back and acknowledge all that went well for us and how we’ve grown – as a business and as individuals. Use this time to note down ALL the things that have gone well for you this year and which one you’re most proud of – then make sure you take the time to pat yourself on the back and celebrate!

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5 - What was your biggest challenge of the year?

What didn’t go to plan or as well as you’d hoped this year? Think about all the challenges you faced. What did you do to overcome them? Consider the lessons learned and reflect on how you might do things differently. It’s not about blame or feeling guilty/bad/ashamed of things that went wrong – it’s all a learning opportunity and without setbacks, we can’t grow, evolve, and become better!

6 - What do you wish you did more of?

What does success look like for you next year? Think about what you want to do more of and what would make 2024 even better. Maybe it’s more networking or collaborations with other business owners. Maybe it’s getting a better work/life balance and some time for yourself. Maybe it’s taking more risks and going after bigger opportunities. Here’s your chance to be brave and think about the goals that will inspire you to push beyond that comfort zone and make sure your business works for you.

7 - What goal would you set yourself if nothing was standing in your way (including yourself!)?

Here’s where you get to dream big – what one thing would you do if the sky was the limit? Think about what steps you might need to take to make it happen.

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8 - What ONE piece of advice would you give yourself if you were starting the year over again? ?

Taking the good and the bad into account, what advice will you take forward to guide your decisions and actions in 2024?

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And if you need some help figuring this out, you can download my free resource Your Business Health Check – it’s the perfect guide to help you work through some of these and set you up for success in 2024 and make your business even better!

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Download it here: https://rebeccaamincoach.kartra.com/page/business-health-check

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And if you’re ready to take that leap, you can book a free consultation here: https://meetfox.com/en/e/rebecca-amin-1?t=0&l=intro-consultation-business-owner