Some musings for the often cynical, sometimes grumpy and definitely middle-aged individuals already regretting taking on the challenge of dry January.
Happy New Year! If you’re anything like me, then it takes a few days to get back up to speed after the Christmas break. But that’s OK because this year, like last year and the one before that, I am going to (try and) be kind to myself. I’m sorry but that’s bull**** – I am what I am! Anyway, what I thought I would do is share 5 things you could do as you work your way through the gears this week and get motoring. They are a bit random but here goes, starting with an easy tick in the box.
Website copyright notice
Update your website copyright notice to 2023. It’s a really small thing (and quick to do, so it’s an easy win!) Why do it? Because it shows that you are in control of the detail. And if you have the details covered off, that indicates you will have a handle on the bigger picture too. Thanks to Martin Bamford for this one.
Add the Coronation Bank Holiday to your diary
I know many have bank holidays auto-populate their Calendar, but many do not. Monday 8 May 2023 is a bank holiday for the coronation of King Charles III. How good does it feel already to work one less day this year?
Gratitude and giving something back
I’m a bit of a cynic, occasionally grumpy and definitely middle-aged. So if I can feel better about myself by giving-back, then so can you. I do this by being a Trustee of a charity. The charity is Community Matters Partnership Project (CMPP). We connect businesses with their communities through corporate volunteering opportunities. You can find out more about what we do in the link. But the point is there are hundreds of charity trustee roles waiting to be filled. I guarantee that you have far more to offer than you ever realised. Here’s one site that I found with a decent vacancy list.
Grow a network centred around your values and your interests
2023 will be my sixth year as a business owner. This year could be the most significant of all of them as we begin to realise some of the dreams that motivated us to start Sixth Sense Marketing in the first place. I laugh at the school-boy errors we made in the early times, like thinking every client was a client for life. I’ve learned so much and am the better for it. Among the best things I have come to realise are the rewards that come from a network centred around my values, interests and outlook. There are so many solopreneurs and entrepreneurs out there, that it is possible to find technical experts in all areas who also see the world the same way that you do.
How do I do that? Primarily through the ONLE network that is run by James and Kelly West who are pretty similar to Tracey and myself. It’s not for me to sell ONLE. But I can give you the opportunity to sample it for yourself, free of charge. We are 350 members across 20 groups and growing. Email me and I can share a sign-up code with you.
Your wellbeing
Who is checking in on the wellbeing of the person who is making sure everyone else in the business is OK? As business owners, we have a responsibility for looking after our own wellbeing as well as that of others. In 2023, I predict financial wellbeing particularly will be big this year. Sleep, nutrition, health lifestyles, exercise and relationships can all be negatively affected by what worries us. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) have excellent, free to access content, designed around supporting business owners who are worried during these challenging times.
Whatever you think about these points, thanks for getting this far and know that 2023 will be whatever you decide to make it.
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