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Sprinkle a little new year magic
Hi ,

According to statistics from YouGov as reported on insideoutmastery.com only 9% of us successfully keep our New Year’s resolutions. Most people quit by the second Friday in January with 43% of us accepting that by February we will have failed altogether. It doesn’t make for very cheery reading, does it? As if Dry January wasn’t bad enough, who wants to finish the first month of the year with nothing more than a bucket of empty promises?

So, as we approach the beginning of February, hands up who is one of the 43% above? But, worry not! Because I am not here to make you feel guilty or to lecture you on how you should be getting down the gym (boring), padlocking the fridge (impractical) or learning a new language (harder than you think).
January is a terrible time to make resolutions anyway. We’re all still reeling from holiday overindulgence (and holding on tight to our holiday bloat coat) so it’s no wonder we feel guilty for neglecting our bodies, minds and businesses. As a result I want you to forget about punishing yourself by writing a long list of challenges that you feel you ‘should’ achieve or of problems that need solving – let’s rewind the clock a few weeks and revisit the magic of Christmas.
No, we’re not heading back to hedonism, we’re just going to think about the year ahead and what we want from it in a different way.

In December, when I got together to celebrate the festive season with my family, I played a game with my adult nieces and nephews about what they would put on their wish list if they were to write a letter to Santa Claus (I know, how fun am I?!). Instead of one of those awkward conversations where you ask a young person what their future plan is – which inevitably becomes a ‘rabbit in headlights’ situation – this idea instead inspired and excited them. They were soon busily writing down their hopes, dreams and ambitions without any hint of embarrassment or concern as to how they would achieve them. Where resolutions or plans often feel like punishments, things we ‘must’ do, these youthful wishes were uplifting, full of promise – and it didn’t matter at all that the fulfilling of those wishes was yet to be thought out. They were wishes but they were nonetheless achievable and realistic

This technique can easily be applied to your business. Entering a new year can be an exciting time and it is, of course, inevitable that your mind turns to what you want to achieve in 2023 and the good news is that it is not too late to start thinking about this. Instead of jumping in with a list of demands of what you consider your company should do, however, ask yourself a different set of questions.

These might include:
  • What does growth mean to you?
  • Why is it important to you to get there?
  • Who and what do you need to get there? What do you need to leave behind (see my Marie Kondo inspired blog, here.)
  • What is different in the coming year to last year?
  • Think about a word that might inspire you over the next 12 months – mine is ‘worth’

But you should also throw in a few ‘in my dreams’ items too, and importantly ask yourself what is going to give me joy? This is where dreams and wishes come in – a wish list is aspirational and appealing – it oozes positivity and that’s what looking forward is all about.

By using these questions – starting-line prerequisites for all the entrepreneurs who begin their journey with me – you can formulate your own letter to Santa and look to 2023 with confidence. And yes, wishes are not just for fairy tales, they do come true.

I hope to see you soon!


Julie Perkins,
Founder of Wyseminds
Pursuing “your journey” through online blended learning
watch video here
< watch video >
Last year the Wysemind’s growth project began to set out putting our support programme online. Things can look fabulous on paper but you always need to move onto the next project stage, reviewing its fit for the customer!: What are you delivering to your customers? Is it what you promised and – most importantly – does it reflect the values of your company? Or are you just cookie cutting like others in the same industry?


Back in December, I was delighted to meet four entrepreneurs who answered the Wyseminds call to experience Your Journey: Lift-off level and become a part of our team to review important questions so we can understand the effect the programme has for founders who are seeking future growth.

Anna Żołądkiewicz, who has almost finished the Lift Off Journey in its new form, was one those who responded and is reviewing so we can move it into its next phase.

Let’s take a look at a few of the answers she gave to the questions:

What do you feel the programme has brought you so far?
Realigning my success metrics and focusing on my passion and purpose has given me a greater understanding of growth patterns and helped me better visualise what's ahead for my business. I’ve also seen real results, such as more conversations with my ideal clients and these have had a positive impact on my business. I feel I can connect better with my target audience which can only lead to increased revenue and growth for my company. This shift in perspective has been really beneficial both for my business and personal development.


How has this supported your vision of growth?
By challenging my perspective and providing a platform for experimentation, I have been able to try out different tools and approaches to better understand what works and what doesn't. The open discussion also gives me valuable insights and provides me with feedback from others, which – in turn – can help me make more informed decisions. Additionally, normalising misalignments and obstacles helps me to be more resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges, which is an essential trait for anyone looking to grow and succeed.

What have been your lightbulb moments?
By shifting my focus to purpose and impact, I've been able to realign myself with my customers and find a greater sense of fulfilment in my work. I remind myself that success is not just about achieving financial or professional goals but also about aligning actions with values and purpose, as they are the keys to success. If you follow them, your purpose will be clear, and your impact will be more significant.


Finding your right next step
Wyseminds was created to keep good business ideas alive. Whether you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or even a bit on your own we’re here to support you in bringing back the joy of running your own company. There are many different ways we can support your growth journey, one of them is to start the free trial > of our online support programme, Your Journey, where you’ll be able to take our growth evaluation. When you receive your personalised report, I hope you’ll start to understand how ready your business is to grow, where you are now and ideas of what to do next. There are other resources there too for you to make the most of your guide - all for free! No strings attached.

Fancy a coffee?
If you would like to understand a bit more about how we support entrepreneurs or have a growth-led question that you would like to discuss, meet me for a virtual coffee here.

New blogs are now live
Have a quick read of some relevant BLOGs that can perhaps support how you think about growth  for your business as we move into 2023.
Reuse, recycle, repair – how decluttering your business can work wonders
I was flicking through Netflix looking for a good drama. Under ‘most watched’ was a series featuring the Japanese ‘organisational consultant’ Marie Kondo who has devised her own KonMari Method to save the world by tidying up.

Founder's story - are you Sofia?
Congratulations! You’ve founded a business. You’ve seen a gap in the market, had a brilliant idea, roped in a few of your friends and set it in motion. The world has seen the light and the first orders are coming in. You feel that you are justified, needed and you were right about your idea all along.

What does growth mean to you in 2023?
Growth. A simple, monosyllabic word of great importance.. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it rather existentially as ‘the process of growing physically, mentally or emotionally’; for many entrepreneurs it represents the key to success.

References
*McKinsey reference

 
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