Happy New Year! I haven’t made any new year’s resolutions this year. They just don’t work for me. Instead of focusing change on a single date and period in the year, I’ve found that true change finds its own level. It happens when you are ready to take the steps to make it work – and that can be at any time of year.
That doesn’t mean that I don’t have plans and goals. I most certainly do. Last year’s goals included broadening my client list, which I achieved, and it remains on my list for this year. As planned I increased the number of clients in my local area, though I still haven’t done any local marketing to speak of. I didn’t make as much progress with ebooks as I intended, so I want to rectify that this year, and also reissue my most popular ebook, Getting Started in Blogging, for the Nook platform.
This year’s list looks pretty much like last year’s, though I am considering a couple of new moves like:
- unsubscribing from all email newsletters and mailing lists and seeing if I miss any of them (with the exception of one I pay for which I know is valuable)
- closing all the accounts for online tools which I no longer use
- shifting business interaction from my Facebook page to Google+ (I don’t know if my 300+ fans would be upset or whether they would move with me)
- sticking rigidly to a four day work week (I have tried this before, with limited success)
This last one will be the key to making all my other goals work and avoiding burnout, so it’s the one I’m going to focus on first. To make it work, I’ll need to structure my client load carefully and be more efficient on those four days. Wish me luck – and I’ll let you know how it goes!
Article by Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall has been mentoring writers here at Get Paid To Write Online since 2005 to help them improve and build sustainable and successful writing careers. Check me out on sharonhh.com. Feel free to connect with me online on Google+.
Sharon has written 659 awesome articles for us at Get Paid to Write Online
Twitter: @SHurleyHall | Facebook | Google+ | Blog → Writing Portfolio
Twitter: millercathy
January 5, 2012 at 11:08
Good for you, Sharon, about the four-day week. I’m not there yet, but I do tend to keep Fridays pretty mellow.
I’ve contemplated doing something similar as you of moving from Facebook to Google+. I’ve never gotten fully onboard with Facebook for my business. I wish you continued success in 2012 and look forward to your updates.
Cathy Miller wants you to read 5 Simple Business Communication Tips That Keep Customers Smiling
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 5, 2012 at 11:14
I’m not quite there yet, either, Cathy, but I’m going to really work on it.
I feel the same about Facebook for business. Moving would let me focus on just two sites and would leave Facebook for family and friends.
I love this: ‘I’ve found that true change finds its own level’, that’s so true.
I’m with you on Google+, although it does have some teething issues that need to be ironed out. Potentially, it combines the best of FB and Twitter, and could be a powerful tool for business. I love the streaming element; you can keep posts about your cat/dentist appointment/new shoes to friends only.
Happy 2012 and good luck with the 4-day work week!
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 5, 2012 at 11:26
So interesting that both you and Cathy see eye to eye with me on the potential offered by Google+, Jen. Yes, there are still issues to be ironed out, but I’m tempted to give it a proper trial as my main platform and see what happens. Happy 2012 to you too.
Twitter: GeorgeAngus
January 5, 2012 at 13:52
Yay Sharon! I avoid resolutions as well – they’ve never really worked for me. Goal setting falls in the same vein for me although I have a loose idea of what I would like to accomplish.
The set you’ve outlined here look reasonable and (importantly) doable. That’s the goal!
George
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 5, 2012 at 14:31
Loose ideas work well, too, George.
Twitter: nickdaws
January 6, 2012 at 08:21
Some brave steps, there, Sharon. I know I ought to unsubscribe to many of the lists that I’m on too. Not yours, of course!
Incidentally, I’d be very interested to know which newsletter/mailing list you are on which you consider valuable.
Brave also to consider moving entirely from Facebook to Google Plus, although I can see that this would save some time by avoiding duplication of effort. I like Google Plus, but it still doesn’t have nearly the same reach as Facebook. From a marketing point of view I wouldn’t dare to drop Facebook yet, although the quirky way it works drives me round the bend at times.
Finally, good luck with the four-day-working-week plan. As a home-based freelance I often feel as though I’m working a seven-day week, but that’s not healthy either mentally or physically, I know.
Personally, I find the only time I feel as though I’m really off-duty is when I’m away on holiday. Unfortunately I can’t afford to do that too often, though!
Thanks again for all the interesting blog posts – always very much appreciated!
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 6, 2012 at 08:31
I started subscribing to Lea Woodward’s Odyssey newsletter because of my interest in location indepdence, Nick. When she moved to a premium post model, I moved with her. She’s always got some valuable insights and it costs less than a cup of coffee (in Starbucks, but you get the idea). I also subscribe to the Five Buck Forum for contact with like minded writers.
I think I’ll manage the move to Google+ in stages. I’ll first try to find my existing Facebook fans there and create a special circle for them. Then I’ll experiment with the move. In the meantime, my posts will feed through to Facebook and I’ll start feeding G+ updates there to encourage people to connect with me there.
I know what you mean about the holiday. The four day week won’t stop me from working on the fifth day, but it will clearly distinguish client time from my time – at least that’s what I hope.
Twitter: ditesco
January 6, 2012 at 10:53
So true Sharon. It really does not have to be a new year to establish new goals and objectives. That, like you said can be achieved any time of the year. As a matter of fact, last year I planned for things that along the way I had to abandon and make way for new goals….
The list you prepared does sound very doable and I do hope that you achieve them, specially the last one. Everyone needs to take some time off
Happy New Year
DiTesco wants you to read The Best SEO Practices and Tips 2012
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 6, 2012 at 11:05
I think flexibility is very important, DiTesco. Sometimes achieving one aim will lead you in a new direction – it’s good to be open to change. Happy New Year.
Twitter: nickdaws
January 6, 2012 at 12:09
Thanks for your reply to my earlier comment, Sharon. Just checking if Commentluv is working properly again now
Happy new year to you, and I hope your plans for 2012 work out well.
Nick Daws wants you to read Happy New Year 2012!
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 6, 2012 at 13:14
Thanks for following up, Nick. Happy New Year.
Twitter: katiepecbvda
January 6, 2012 at 19:31
I’m like you on not making any resolutions. I never do. Of course, I have goals as well. Although, my main goal is kind of the opposite of yours. It is to have a 7 day work week for a few months. I am about to move to a new town where I know hardly anyone, so I shouldn’t have many distractions.
I’m a professional poker player who runs a Hip Hop blog, so I plan to work on my blog in the mornings and play poker in the evenings.
Katie Woodard wants you to read Tyga – Faded featuring Lil Wayne – Download
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 7, 2012 at 11:15
Sounds like a full day, Katie.
Interesting stuff. I haven’t seen any proof that switching anything to G+ will help me, even though I’m not sure FB is helping me all that much either. I do still have goals, but not resolutions; I changed up how I listed my goals so that I have a better and broader chance of getting something done with them. But it’s never easy. lol
Mitch Mitchell wants you to read 5 Lessons Learned From Creating Videos
Twitter: shurleyhall
January 7, 2012 at 11:18
I don’t know what the switch will do, Mitch, other than allow me to hang out in a more congenial place. I think keeping goals manageable is the key to actually getting something done. I’ve already started on the ebook-to-Nook project and have hit the first snag. As a non-US publisher I can’t use the B&N PubIt service; I have to use an aggregator instead – looks like it’s time to dust off that Smashwords account.
Twitter: LoriWidmer
January 9, 2012 at 09:02
Great list, Sharon. I could clean up my in box with those same things!
You’re a woman after my own heart – I don’t do resolutions, either. I do monthly assessments. It’s too tough to turn around a business you’ve not paid any attention to in 12 months. Better to keep an eye on it the entire year, I say.
Lori wants you to read What Nature Has Taught Me About Business