Look after your health and wellbeing
We all have busy lives, that’s pretty much a given now in a world where people are constantly switched on. But always being on your smartphone or ‘work-ready’ can have a detrimental effect on your mental health, with evidence showing that in extreme cases such activity can lead to depression. Prioritise your wellbeing in 2017 by taking time out to exercise, even if that just means spending time on the weekend going for a long walk with loved ones. Also, if you’re feeling particularly stressed or in need of time to reflect, consider introducing mindfulness into your daily routine. We’d recommend downloading the Headspace app or something similar to get you started.
Get organised
Nothing hinders progress more than being unorganised. Not only can it impact on your overall development, it can also have a negative impact on stress levels and can lead to a lack of energy or enthusiasm, none of which create a positive working environment. In our office, we’re big advocates of each keeping a diary in which our days are completely structured. Not only does this give us a breakdown of how our week will be spent, but it also gives us the opportunity to set goals for ourselves. Scheduling time for a weekly team meeting, spreading out tasks evenly and writing down your goals for the week allows ample time in which to achieve them.
Get your social media in order
Whatever business you’re in, getting to grips with social media works wonders when it comes to communicating with your audience and encouraging consumers to engage with your business. There are 2.3 billion active social media users in the world, meaning that your audience is already in the social space, ready to be targeted. Not taking advantage of such a platform could be considered naïve. It’s a known fact that when a consumer engages with a brand on social media, they are more likely to feel positive about the brand. For example, 77% of Twitter users feel more positive about a company when their Tweet has been replied to. Social media is also considered a crucial content marketing tactic, only placing behind blogging in terms of success rate, so it’s clearly a platform that is not to be ignored.
Stop comparing yourself
A common problem in both our personal and business lives is that, largely due to social media and an influx of news content streaming in from a variety of sources, it’s easy to fall into a trap of constantly comparing ourselves to the ‘competition’. It’s easy to end up feeling as though, if we don’t achieve the same or better, we’re falling behind. Focus on what you and your business needs to achieve in 2017, and don’t waste too much time monitoring competitor activity. As Theodore Roosevelt said: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Focus on your marketing strategy
Marketing is a crucial way of flagging up your business with potential customers by utilising the right platforms and promoting your strengths to help to differentiate your company from its competitors. However, a marketing strategy is not simply a one-size fits all concept. In order for your approach to be successful, you need to establish your goals, your key messages and your target demographics. A marketing agency or an internal team or similar structure then needs to be introduced in order to ensure that marketing plan is put into place and delivered effectively.
Setting yourself achievable goals at the beginning of the year can help you to reach your highest potential in 2017. January is not just the time to experience a slump and feel as dull as the weather – it’s also the perfect time to make adjustments and plan for success. Although many of these tips may seem simple, they are fundamentals which so many of us are still guilty of overlooking as we get on with the hum drum of every day life. And yet, they are the building blocks of business and personal improvements. We wish you a happy and prosperous 2017.