Before you dive headlong into your list of projects for 2010, it is time to organize, prioritize and evaluate your list. As a business owner, you must have your yearly calendar of events, holidays and promotions. From here you can start to set your priorities to avoid getting overwhelmed with “THE LIST”. Make sure you schedule time for yourself to stay motivated and time to rejuvenate your soul. Store ownership and management can steal your essence if you let the pressures dictate your 80 hour weeks.

Now you need to ask “What worked and what didn’t.” If you didn’t keep track of a calendar of events and promotions for 2009, make one up now. Go back in time and think about what you did each month – were there specials or promotions or marketing you did, when was it and how did it effect your business. This will help you look at what worked and what didn’t. Did you plan for an event early enough, did you order enough product or too much? All of these questions help you make a better plan for this upcoming year.

Now take that question to every area of your business; product purchasing, personnel, accounting, even weather and uncontrollable events. In your list of what didn’t work, can see the financial impact of each issue, giving it a priority of urgency and importance. In your list of what worked, you can analyze the financial gain you felt and how to make it better next year. Make sure to bring your staff into this process, being on the front lines, they have a lot to offer in response.

Now you know what gets put on the top of your list, it is what will have the greatest financial impact on your day to day business. Don’t forget time out for you – uninterrupted vacation time, time for a monthly massage, time to meditate, time for you. You own your own business to reap the rewards and taking time for yourself is one of the big ones.

With blessings of Prosperity, laughter and joy

Jacki Smith

Enchantress, President & CEO

Coventry Creations

Type 40 Sales