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30: Planning for a successful year ahead in business · Online Business Uncovered: Simple Strategies for Female Entrepreneurs

• 0:01
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_00: This is episode 30, and in today's episode, I'm going to be talking about how to plan for a successful year ahead in business.
• 0:13
  SPEAKER_00: So let's jump right in and get started.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 0:24
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host Karen and I'm here to lift the lid on what it actually takes to create a successful business.
• 0:31
  SPEAKER_00: If you are an ambitious creative ready to build a business on your own terms and without compromise, then this podcast is perfect for you.
• 0:39
  SPEAKER_00: With my award-winning approach to marketing and expert knowledge in creating online courses, this show will leave you feeling inspired, energized, and ready to bring those big dreams to life.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: Join me each week for a dose of motivation and marketing know-how, along with actionable step-by-step strategies to help you accelerate your business's growth.
• 0:58
  SPEAKER_00: So let's dive in and don't forget to subscribe to all my upcoming episodes, which drop every Wednesday.
• 1:08
  SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining me today.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host Karen and I really appreciate you hitting the play button to listen to today's episode.
• 1:20
  SPEAKER_00: Today I'm going to be talking about how to plan for a successful year ahead in business.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: But first, I want to wish you all a happy new year and I hope you had an amazing Christmas.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: I can't believe how quick the time has gone.
• 1:35
  SPEAKER_00: And now we're back here in January, and this is the perfect month to start thinking about what you want to create, not only for yourself, but for your business as well.
• 1:49
  SPEAKER_00: Now I love this time of year because it's such a hopeful time because it's all about setting intentions and planning for the year ahead, and there's some real joy that's that sits within that.
• 2:02
  SPEAKER_00: New Year feels like a fresh start, and we have the whole year ahead of us that is yet to be written, so it really is ours for the taking.
• 2:12
  SPEAKER_00: We can do and be whatever we want because we have it all laid out in front of us, and I think there's some real power in that.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I'm not talking about setting new year resolutions because, in all honesty, I'm not entirely convinced that they actually do work.
• 2:51
  SPEAKER_00: I think the theory of them sounds great.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_00: You know, making changes in January, it's the start of a brand new year, so so why wouldn't you?
• 3:01
  SPEAKER_00: However, it is one of the hardest times of the year to achieve consistent motivation.
• 3:09
  SPEAKER_00: It's so difficult to stay motivated when the weather is so gloomy.
• 3:15
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are trying to get back into some kind of normality after what I call the silly season, you're you're most likely going to struggle because not only are you trying to formulate a routine, you've all you're also contending with making those changes and perhaps shifting habits.
• 3:36
  SPEAKER_00: And so it's probably the hardest time of the year to start making changes.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: So I think it's more important to maybe look at making small shifts within your lifestyle and the way maybe you do things within your day-to-day life rather than setting them up as new year resolutions.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: I think I think we can make changes any time of the year rather than at the time of the year, which I do think is the hardest time to stick to something, and especially if you're trying to cut out sugar or adopt a new exercise routine or be consistent with exercise, whatever that it looks like, I think it's just such a hard time to maintain that motivation.
• 4:27
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's probably so much easier to do it in the spring because the weather can have a direct impact on how we feel, and we're most more likely going to have more energy and feel more energized in the spring.
• 4:40
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm I'm always a bit reluctant when it comes to setting New Year's resolutions because I'm not entirely convinced that I will stick to them.
• 4:51
  SPEAKER_00: So I don't know how you feel about that, but I know that's something that is something that is talked about this time of year, but I'm I'm not sold on it.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_00: So this this episode is definitely not about New Year's resolutions.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_00: What I'm going to be talking about is planning for the year ahead in your business and getting laser focused on exactly what it is you want to achieve.
• 5:20
  SPEAKER_00: So this is where my focus has been over the past couple of weeks: working out what my intentions are for the year ahead and where my focus needs to go so that I can work towards accomplishing the things that I want to achieve.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_00: And and also it's been about spending that time figuring out the logistics of how I'm going to achieve the things that I want to make happen.
• 5:46
  SPEAKER_00: And I find it such an immersive process because it's all about digging under the surface, looking within, and then looking into the future.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: So you end up sitting in this space of hope, clarity, and excitement, which are which is absolutely fantastic, and that's most likely that's more where I want to be at this time of the year, rather than trying to focus my energies on making changes that I just know that I'm not going to stick to.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: I think taking the time to dream and visualize what you want to achieve for yourself is actually really powerful, and there are so many benefits to goal setting because not only does it give you clarity, it can do wonders for your confidence as well.
• 6:42
  SPEAKER_00: It gives you focus and purpose and direction because you will work out where you need to be going and what you need to achieve.
• 6:52
  SPEAKER_00: This then lifts your energy and makes you feel good because goals give you that sense of accomplishment.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: It also puts you in control because you're making things happen for yourselves, you are the creator of your own reality.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: Bring in your desires to life, which of course then leads to feelings of joy and happiness.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are someone who doesn't currently set goals for yourself, then I really do encourage you to give it a try because it's such a powerful thing, and it's that sense of being intentional and making things happen.
• 7:33
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so with this in mind, let's talk about how we can plan for a successful year ahead in business.
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: What can we do to move our businesses forward and get them to where they want to be?
• 7:48
  SPEAKER_00: Now, firstly, I think it's important to say that everyone's idea of success is different, and so when you're thinking about what you want to achieve for your business, it's important, I think, not to compare where you are with where someone else is because everybody is on their own path, everybody is following their own journey.
• 8:12
  SPEAKER_00: Collectively, it may be that we all have a desire to move forward in our business, but what that looks like for each and every one of us is going to be very different, and so it's about working out what you want and where you want to be by the end of the year, and then creating a plan to make it happen.
• 8:34
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm going to share some tips with you to help you get started so that you can create your best year yet.
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my first tip is about reviewing where you currently are in your business.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: It's important to understand how your business is performing because if you don't know how your business is doing, then it's going to make it really difficult to figure out what needs changing.
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_00: So I want you to start by asking yourself the following questions.
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_00: I want you to identify what has been working well for you in your business and why.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe there's a particular networking group that you've been attending that has generated some quality leads that has led to you gaining business.
• 9:29
  SPEAKER_00: If so, then it's worth being aware of that so you can continue attending and showing up in that group.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: Now I want you to think about what has not been working well for you and why.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, if consistency is your nemesis and that you know by not being consistent with your efforts, it's impacting your growth or your business's performance, then you know this is something that needs to be worked on over the coming year.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: I also want you to look at where you're currently spending your time.
• 10:11
  SPEAKER_00: Are you spending too much time scrolling through social media?
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: Are you spending too much time in your email box?
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_00: Are you spending too much time focused on tasks that could be outsourced?
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: Because if you're spending your time writing blogs and creating things that a VA or a designer can do, then you're not spending time creating products and services that's going to generate you additional revenue.
• 10:45
  SPEAKER_00: So I want you to really identify where you're spending your time, and then I want you to ask yourself whether or not that's the best use of your time.
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_00: And if it isn't, why isn't it?
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: And what can you do to improve where you're spending your time?
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you don't know where your time is going, then I recommend that you just start making notes of where you are spending your time because this is going to give you clarity, and once you have clarity, you've got insight into where your time's actually going, and then you can make conscious decisions about whether or not that's working for you or not.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: So reviewing your business is all about gaining that clarity and insight so that you can make the right changes at the right time.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: Now, another question that I want you to think about is what areas of your of your business have made you the most revenue?
• 11:49
  SPEAKER_00: So understanding where your sales are currently coming from will help you to know where you need to focus your energy.
• 11:58
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are selling a particular service that is bringing in a decent amount of revenue, then you know to keep that service going.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_00: But on the flip side, if you are spending your time trying to sell something that is just not flying off the shelves, then maybe it may it might be time to ditch that and to create something that people may want.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: So this is about just trying to be objective, looking at your revenue, identifying the breakdown of your revenue and understanding where it's coming from, so again, you can make conscious decisions about where you're spending your time.
• 12:43
  SPEAKER_00: Now, equally, what I would say here is if you are generating revenue by delivering something that you don't enjoy, then what can you do in your business to shift that?
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are currently delivering a service that you have delivered over and over and over again, and you're kind of at that stage where you're fed up of delivering that particular service, then what can you do to still offer that service, but perhaps remove you from that so that you can deliver it in a different way?
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it might be time to start automating that service.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe it might be time to start looking at how you can create something, an offer off the back of that service, so that you don't have to constantly be there to deliver it over and over and over again.
• 13:41
  SPEAKER_00: So now's the time to really look at what you're currently offering and to see what you can create to give yourself time back, and also I want you to consider what part of your business has the most potential for future growth.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this is something that might not be answerable in five minutes.
• 14:08
  SPEAKER_00: It might be that you have to really think about this and really look at what it is you're offering, but it is worth looking at your business and trying to be as objective as possible and actually honing in on the areas that have the most potential because maybe that's where your energy needs to go to, because that's what could grow your business in the future.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_00: So look at your business as a whole and then really drill into the areas that has the most potential for growth.
• 14:47
  SPEAKER_00: Now, by reviewing your business on a regular basis, it gives you the opportunity to evaluate what practices are currently in place and whether or not they're actually working.
• 15:00
  SPEAKER_00: It gives you a chance to monitor your progress and to see if what you are doing is actually working as well.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_00: Because we don't want to be spending our time and our energy focused on areas of our business that are just not working for us.
• 15:21
  SPEAKER_00: Once you know what isn't working, you can then take the action that you need to take and to change it.
• 15:30
  SPEAKER_00: So I think clarity is incredibly important, and once you know where you are in your business, you can then implement necessary changes that are ultimately going to make a difference to your business.
• 15:45
  SPEAKER_00: So the first step to planning a successful year in business is to review where you currently are so that you can understand what is currently working, what is not working, how your business is performing, where it's performing the best, and then what changes you need to make to then move it forward.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my second tip is about implementing changes.
• 16:13
  SPEAKER_00: So once you've reviewed where you are in your business and you've identified what is not working, then it's time to make a change.
• 16:22
  SPEAKER_00: There's no point trying to force something if you're just not getting the results, because it's just a waste of time and energy.
• 16:31
  SPEAKER_00: Now, one of the changes that I've recently made in my business is my networking.
• 16:36
  SPEAKER_00: I spend a lot of time networking with other entrepreneurs and business owners, not only because I want to support the growth of my business, but because I like meeting like-minded people and I enjoy feeling connected.
• 16:51
  SPEAKER_00: I spend a lot of time on my own in my business, and it can of course be very lonely.
• 16:56
  SPEAKER_00: And so, networking is one way where I can be a part of a bigger community, and I meet so many amazing people just by showing up at a networking meeting.
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_00: However, one of the things that I've recently identified is that I'm I attend a couple of groups that are just not the right fit for me.
• 17:21
  SPEAKER_00: They were at one point or another, but where I've evolved and how I'm moving my business forward, some of the groups that I'm in now just are not right.
• 17:35
  SPEAKER_00: It's not a personal decision, it's it's a business decision.
• 17:39
  SPEAKER_00: And so when I review what is working and what's not working, I have to look at it from a business perspective.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_00: Is it the best use of my time attending a networking group that just doesn't have the people in it that I want to connect to that's going to support my business and its growth?
• 18:02
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if the answer is no, I need to make a change because my time is better off spent finding another group where it fits me better, and so I think sometimes we have to make necessary changes in order to keep us on track.
• 18:25
  SPEAKER_00: Now, as creative entrepreneurs, we are constantly evolving, and so we need to keep checking in with ourselves to make sure that what we're doing and where we're spending our time still fits in with where we're going and our vision, and if it doesn't, then we need to change it by getting really clear on what that vision is and why it's important, it will then help you to make the right decisions about what you need to be doing and where you need to be spending your time and your energy.
• 19:02
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my third tip is about creating a plan of action.
• 19:08
  SPEAKER_00: So this is where we're getting into the weeds of what we're wanting to achieve and making a plan to help us get there.
• 19:16
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this doesn't need to be long and drawn out, it doesn't need to be an a never-ending document that rivals war and peace.
• 19:27
  SPEAKER_00: It just doesn't, it just needs to be something that clarifies in your mind what it is you need to focus on.
• 19:36
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I would suggest focusing your effort on one thing that's going to move the needle in your business.
• 19:43
  SPEAKER_00: So when we talk about goal setting, yes, it's tempting to probably put lots of little goals down, but actually, if you take a step back and think about the one thing that you need to do this year that's gonna really make a difference, then you can build a plan of action around what you need to do to achieve that.
• 20:05
  SPEAKER_00: Now, once you have identified what that one thing is, then you can be really intentional with that plan.
• 20:13
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, if your goal is to make 20 grand of sales selling your online course, then how is that going to be achieved?
• 20:25
  SPEAKER_00: What will 20 grand do for your business?
• 20:28
  SPEAKER_00: How will that make you feel?
• 20:31
  SPEAKER_00: And what will you what do you need to do to make that happen?
• 20:36
  SPEAKER_00: Are you going to run multiple live launches, or perhaps maybe you're going to build out an evergreen funnel that is designed to bring you in quality leads, which you can then nurture through your sales pipeline?
• 20:53
  SPEAKER_00: And if so, what does that process look like?
• 20:56
  SPEAKER_00: Now getting into the weeds of what you need to do is really important because you can work out the steps that you're going to need to take to achieve your goals, because it's not enough just to stick an arbitrary number onto something without creating a plan of how you're then going to achieve it.
• 21:23
  SPEAKER_00: So, another example could be that your goal is to build your email list.
• 21:27
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you want to create an engaged email list that you can then nurture and then sell to.
• 21:34
  SPEAKER_00: So, how are you intending on doing this?
• 21:37
  SPEAKER_00: How will you build your email list and get it to where you need to be?
• 21:43
  SPEAKER_00: Firstly, what does that look like?
• 21:45
  SPEAKER_00: What does that number look like?
• 21:47
  SPEAKER_00: So putting something down that's specific will help to really focus your attention.
• 21:54
  SPEAKER_00: Will you run online events to facilitate the growth of that list?
• 22:00
  SPEAKER_00: Or maybe you're going to invest in Facebook ads.
• 22:04
  SPEAKER_00: If so, what are you going to create a freebie that captures leads?
• 22:10
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are, how much will you invest and what does that frequency look like?
• 22:17
  SPEAKER_00: So how much are you going to invest in Facebook ads?
• 22:20
  SPEAKER_00: How much are you going to invest in getting that freebie done?
• 22:24
  SPEAKER_00: And how often are you going to run those ads to your audience?
• 22:31
  SPEAKER_00: So getting really clear on the steps will really help you to build that picture.
• 22:39
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you are looking to build your email list this year, will you be promoting it with a freebie?
• 22:46
  SPEAKER_00: And is this something that needs to be created?
• 22:50
  SPEAKER_00: And if so, how will this be done?
• 22:52
  SPEAKER_00: Will you be hiring a graphic designer or will you be bringing a VA on board?
• 22:57
  SPEAKER_00: Or will you be doing it yourself?
• 22:58
  SPEAKER_00: In which case you will need to allocate time to be able to do that.
• 23:05
  SPEAKER_00: And then you have the building of the landing pages and setting up the email marketing tool.
• 23:10
  SPEAKER_00: Is that something you're going to do, or will you be bringing somebody on board to support you with that?
• 23:16
  SPEAKER_00: Now getting laser clear on how you're going to do something will help you to take the steps that you need to take to make it happen.
• 23:26
  SPEAKER_00: And I think one of the reasons why a lot of goals are not met is because there's not enough intention set around the goal.
• 23:37
  SPEAKER_00: Because it's not enough to say, I want to achieve so and so.
• 23:42
  SPEAKER_00: You actually need to create a plan of how you're going to achieve it so that you can take intentional action towards getting it done.
• 23:51
  SPEAKER_00: Creating a solid plan is an essential step in the goal setting process.
• 23:58
  SPEAKER_00: And when you have clarity and you know what you're doing, then you can move forward with confidence and ease and in a far more productive and effective way.
• 24:09
  SPEAKER_00: It means that you're not going to be sitting at your desk on a Monday morning staring into an empty coffee cup, wondering what you need to be doing next, because you'll have figured all of these steps out in advance and created a plan that you just need to follow.
• 24:28
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this is something that I've been working on over this past week.
• 24:34
  SPEAKER_00: So for me, I find that when I'm really clear on what my goals are and I've aligned those goals to my vision, so I know there's some real weight behind them, I feel more confident and I feel more in control.
• 24:49
  SPEAKER_00: And then once I've joined up the dots of my thinking, so I've worked out okay, this is my goal, this is how it's going to benefit me.
• 24:58
  SPEAKER_00: So this is what I need to focus on, and then I've figured out how I'm gonna do it.
• 25:05
  SPEAKER_00: So the I've joined all the dots up in my thinking and I've mapped out my plan, then I I'm most likely to follow through and to take action, and actually I work quicker and I'm more efficient with the way I work because I'm not wasting time second guessing myself, I'm not sitting there overthinking because I've already done the thinking, I've already worked it out.
• 25:35
  SPEAKER_00: I just need to follow the plan.
• 25:37
  SPEAKER_00: So creating a plan is incredibly worthwhile.
• 25:42
  SPEAKER_00: So if you haven't done this already, then I do encourage you to take some time out.
• 25:47
  SPEAKER_00: Book a CEO day, so book a day in your diary and take some time, give yourself the gift of time and go and create a plan of action to support your goals.
• 26:03
  SPEAKER_00: My fourth tip is about creating structure and routine to your week because by doing this, it's going to help you be far more productive and switched on.
• 26:16
  SPEAKER_00: I think in order to do this successfully, you need to be blocking out time in your calendar for any tasks that need to be repeated on a regular basis so that they're in your calendar and you don't need to be thinking about them.
• 26:31
  SPEAKER_00: Now I block out time each week for my repetitive tasks.
• 26:35
  SPEAKER_00: So things that I do on a regular basis, so my social media planning, my content creation, and prepping for my podcast, all of the things that I need to be doing consistently go into my calendar, and I block out time to get them done.
• 26:52
  SPEAKER_00: I know that each of these activities is going to require a certain amount of time from me every week, and so I need to be organized to make sure that I'm putting that time aside because they're all important, they become part of my weekly schedule, which means that they don't take up too much of my brain space because I know they're scheduled and then I know they're going to be worked on, so I have that confidence that I'm going to get to it at the right time.
• 27:26
  SPEAKER_00: Now, what this does is this stops me from lying awake at night worrying that I'm not going to be on top of the things that I need to be on top of.
• 27:36
  SPEAKER_00: I have a routine, I know what I'm going to be doing, so I don't have to constantly be thinking about it to get this stuff done.
• 27:45
  SPEAKER_00: Now, it also means that I can delegate because I'm organized, so I can pass things over to my VA, which then makes me feel more in control and again more organized.
• 27:59
  SPEAKER_00: So it's a win-win.
• 28:01
  SPEAKER_00: I also try and create a weekly routine with things like my one-to-ones and my networking meetings.
• 28:07
  SPEAKER_00: I put time aside each week that is dedicated to this specific activity so that I know my business will continue to grow because I've allocated time each week to invest in this area.
• 28:22
  SPEAKER_00: Now, one of the other things I did in lockdown, what I implemented was that I blocked out my Fridays to work on my business, and it's done wonders for me moving my business forward.
• 28:37
  SPEAKER_00: Having one day a week where I can just focus on what I need to do for the business is great because I can turn off emails, I can plug out of social media, switch off my phone, and just concentrate my efforts on creating things that are going to drive the business forward.
• 28:57
  SPEAKER_00: It means my business isn't neglected.
• 29:01
  SPEAKER_00: By creating routine and structure to your week, it will help you to stay more organized, be more productive, you'll work more efficiently, and most importantly, you're most likely going to feel more in control.
• 29:17
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, so my fifth and final tip is about making yourself accountable.
• 29:24
  SPEAKER_00: So if you are wanting to achieve growth in your business this year, then I think it's important to make yourself accountable for what you do.
• 29:33
  SPEAKER_00: Because by being accountable for your actions, it will help you to actually get stuff done, especially if what you are doing requires you to get uncomfortable.
• 29:44
  SPEAKER_00: Now, accountability, I think, is one of the key ingredients within the goal setting process because it what it's what brings all of those steps together to achieve the final outcome.
• 29:58
  SPEAKER_00: Now, being accountable means that you're living with integrity because you're aligning both your thoughts, your words, and your actions, and it requires you to be committed to achieving your success.
• 30:14
  SPEAKER_00: Now, by being accountable for your actions, it means you're taking responsibility and you're showing up in an intentional way that's going to help you bring your dreams to fruition.
• 30:27
  SPEAKER_00: I think it's all too easy sometimes to shy away from starting new things that might take you out of your comfort zone.
• 30:36
  SPEAKER_00: But growth comes from getting uncomfortable.
• 30:41
  SPEAKER_00: But the thing is, nobody wants to be uncomfortable.
• 30:44
  SPEAKER_00: Nobody wants to put themselves in a position where they're having to attempt to do new things because it's uncomfortable.
• 30:52
  SPEAKER_00: So we need to make sure that we're accountable so that we're not holding ourselves back and we're not getting on our own way so we stop ourselves progressing.
• 31:04
  SPEAKER_00: And I think by having that accountability, you're being made to be accountable for taking those steps that you need to take to move yourself forward.
• 31:16
  SPEAKER_00: So, how do we make ourselves accountable in our business?
• 31:21
  SPEAKER_00: Firstly, I think it's really important to get clear on your vision.
• 31:26
  SPEAKER_00: I've mentioned this many times, but your vision is your key because knowing your vision will help you to determine your goals and then create that plan of action.
• 31:38
  SPEAKER_00: Making your vision stretchy, so you have to get uncomfortable, but also making it achievable will help you to really focus on bringing it to life, and then it's about taking ownership for that vision because you are 100% responsible for making it happen, no one else.
• 31:59
  SPEAKER_00: Now you may bring people on board to help you achieve things to work towards your vision, but ultimately you are responsible for bringing it to life.
• 32:12
  SPEAKER_00: So you need to set timely deadlines for when you want to get things done by, and then you need to take the all-important action to getting these the things done.
• 32:25
  SPEAKER_00: Now, deadlines are no good if you're not actually going to do the work, so you have to also make sure that you follow through anything worth having in life or in business requires us to show up and take action.
• 32:42
  SPEAKER_00: There are no shortcuts, and whilst I don't believe that success only comes from working hard, I do believe that success comes from taking steps on a regular basis towards the things that we want.
• 33:00
  SPEAKER_00: Now, something that I try and do in my business is that I have business friends who hold me accountable.
• 33:09
  SPEAKER_00: So if I'm going to say that I'm going to do something, they will hold me accountable to it.
• 33:16
  SPEAKER_00: So maybe you could bring somebody on board that can hold you accountable in your business.
• 33:22
  SPEAKER_00: Now, this could be a mentor, it could be a coach, or it could just be a business friend.
• 33:29
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I would recommend that whoever you do choose has an understanding about what it's like to run a business.
• 33:36
  SPEAKER_00: They get it, they know the difficulty and the pressures that come with doing what you do because this way they can support you more effectively because they will automatically have that level of understanding about what it is you're going through and what you're trying to achieve.
• 33:55
  SPEAKER_00: It also means that you can repay the favour and hold them accountable as well.
• 34:02
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I recently read a study that I thought was really interesting from the American Society of Training and Development, and what is said was that people who are committed to achieving a goal were 95% more likely to accomplish that goal if they had accountability meetings that they went to, so they had somebody to hold them accountable.
• 34:29
  SPEAKER_00: So this could really benefit you if you struggle to achieve your goals.
• 34:35
  SPEAKER_00: So I would encourage you to think about who you can work with or who you can bring on board to be an accountability buddy.
• 34:46
  SPEAKER_00: Now I think consistency is also important.
• 34:51
  SPEAKER_00: Consistency in your daily life will build better habits, which is most likely going to equate to long-term success.
• 35:00
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're looking to achieve goals that are really going to impact your business in a positive way, then you really want to be building good habits at the beginning.
• 35:10
  SPEAKER_00: So you are so so it's going to support you with achieving those goals.
• 35:16
  SPEAKER_00: I would also look at implementing a system to keep yourself accountable as well.
• 35:23
  SPEAKER_00: Now, one of the things that I've recently been working on is my system within my business, and I've recently adopted a tool called Notion, which is an interactive and powerful workspace tool where I can literally build out systems from my entire business.
• 35:44
  SPEAKER_00: Now I absolutely love it.
• 35:45
  SPEAKER_00: I've fallen in love with this tool because, in such a short space of time, it's made a huge difference.
• 35:53
  SPEAKER_00: Now I am a self-confessed geek when it comes to tools and tech.
• 35:59
  SPEAKER_00: I love having a play.
• 36:01
  SPEAKER_00: I probably spend way too much playing with the tools, but with this, it's helped me to create a goal setting system, if you like, that is really going to support me and my efforts.
• 36:17
  SPEAKER_00: So something that I have done is that behind each goal that I've set for myself, I've outlined its purpose, why I want to achieve it, the difference it's going to make once I have achieved it, and then how I'm going to achieve it.
• 36:35
  SPEAKER_00: Now, by doing this, it's given me clarity, and because I have clarity, I feel more focused and motivated, and also by establishing its purpose and the difference it's going to make, I feel more connected to it.
• 36:51
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not wasting my time spending my energy on achieving goals that just do nothing for me.
• 36:58
  SPEAKER_00: Every goal I've set has its own purpose, and that purpose is designed to move my business forward.
• 37:06
  SPEAKER_00: Now, the system I've created is an easy system, there's nothing complicated about it, but it's making a world of difference because everything is in one place because I now have this tool, and the great thing is, and what I really love about the Notion, the tool that I'm using, is that I can integrate my goals into other areas of my business, so I can integrate my goals into my marketing plan, into my sales CRM, or wherever it needs to go.
• 37:37
  SPEAKER_00: So ultimately, it's going to help me to stay on track.
• 37:42
  SPEAKER_00: Now, if you've not heard of Notion and you like the idea of being more organized and streamlined, then check out www.notion.so.
• 37:54
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not an affiliate for this tool.
• 37:57
  SPEAKER_00: This is just something that I've been using for a while now, and I just love it.
• 38:03
  SPEAKER_00: I think, in terms of all the tools I use, it's one of my favorite tools today.
• 38:10
  SPEAKER_00: It's an inexpensive tool, but it's amazing, and it's one that's worth investing in because it's something that can help improve your business.
• 38:20
  SPEAKER_00: So definitely check it out.
• 38:23
  SPEAKER_00: But finally, what I would say about keeping yourself accountable is that it's really important to stay in the present and not to worry too much about what's going to happen in the future because we don't know what's around the corner, we don't know what's going to happen.
• 38:41
  SPEAKER_00: So stay in the present, stay grounded, and focus on the here and now.
• 38:48
  SPEAKER_00: And by doing that and having that plan in place, you are going to move yourself forward.
• 38:55
  SPEAKER_00: Now, I think it's really important to stay grounded and connected to what you are doing and why you're doing it.
• 39:03
  SPEAKER_00: By focusing on the here and now, you can spend your energy creating your future.
• 39:11
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, you are the creator of your own reality, no one else is.
• 39:15
  SPEAKER_00: It's all down to you, and what you desire is there for the taking.
• 39:20
  SPEAKER_00: By showing up and committing to your goals and then taking small steps on a consistent basis, you will not only flourish, you will also achieve your goals and take your business to the next level.
• 39:36
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to today's episode.
• 39:41
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you found this episode of value, and of course, please feel free to share it with others who you may think will also benefit from listening to today's episode.
• 39:51
  SPEAKER_00: If you are feeling inspired and would like to know more about getting started with creating an online digital course, then why not download my free ebook, 10 Steps to Digital Course Success, by visiting my website www.carenhyphendavies.com.
• 40:09
  SPEAKER_00: I will be back next week with another episode, but until then, have a great week.
• 40:16
  SPEAKER_00: I hope you enjoyed this episode of the Digitally She Does It Show.
• 40:20
  SPEAKER_00: Don't forget to check out the show notes for all the links and resources mentioned in today's episode.
• 40:26
  SPEAKER_00: New episodes drop every week on a Wednesday, so why not rate and subscribe so you never miss an episode?
• 40:32
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you for tuning in today, and I will see you next time.