How many business owners spend a good chunk of December setting goals for the upcoming year? There is so much content in the business world focused on goal setting and preparing for the forthcoming year. While I am about goal setting, reviewing the previous year before turning the page is essential. It allows us to celebrate all the successes of 2022 and gives us a framework for creating a 2023 we are excited about! So, before we jump into the new year, let’s spend some time thinking about 2022. 

I feel SO blessed with how 2022 went here at 4 Corners CFO, and I want you to spend some time looking at your business through the lens of success. Just remaining in business after the past three years of uncertainty is a MAJOR accomplishment. Nearly 50% of small businesses fail in the first five years, and that is without a worldwide pandemic. The past three years have been an absolute rollercoaster! 

• 2020-Pandemic and total uncertainty about what was in store for the US and the worldwide economy
• 2021-Some hope as vaccines began to roll out, but contending with supply chain issues, work shortages, and reduced spending was a challenge. 
• 2022-Finally, some normalcy, but we are still dealing with worker shortages, a looming recession, and long-term economic uncertainty. 

So, if you are still serving clients after those three tumultuous years, then I am here to CELEBRATE you! We may not know what 2023 has in store, but you have come through some hard times, and that is something to be proud of and to pause to acknowledge. 

Celebrate Success (No Matter How Big or Small)

A common trait of business owners is to look at achievements as checks on a to-do list. So many of my clients reach BIG goals and barely pause to acknowledge that they have accomplished something huge. I understand this mentality; when you constantly work to grow, hire or better serve your clients, there is little time for self-congratulation. 

I want to challenge you (and myself) to change this mindset. Success leads to more success, and if we take a moment and celebrate our achievements, it fuels excitement for the next challenge. On the other hand, some business owners only look at one or two big goals; if they do not reach those, they view the whole year as a failure. Let’s do away with that mindset as well! Even if you did not get a huge goal in 2022, I bet you did a lot of fantastic stuff. 

Take a moment and jot down all the things you accomplished last year. To get you started, here is my list of accomplishments that I am celebrating. 

• Signed seven new amazing clients
• Spoke on four podcasts
• Joined the board of a non-profit
• Hosted four webinars 
• Connected with 142 business owners and clients through networking events
• Broke through the six-figure mark in revenue
• Added three excellent VAs
• Went on my first business retreat
• Published 24 blog posts
• I paid myself a regular salary and took profit draws

As you can see, revenue was only one bullet point of success. While money is a huge motivator, it is not everything. Growth happens at different speeds for every business, and if you are only measuring success based on how much money you bring in, you will overlook a lot of great activities that will lead you to success. 

Acknowledge What Worked

Now that you have your list of successes look at what contributed to moving your business in the direction you want it to go. For 4 Corners CFO, I know all my time networking in 2022 led to increased booked clients. The content marketing I have created has helped set me apart as a thought leader in my niche, and my VAs and hired contractors allow me to focus on the high-level work people pay me to do for their businesses. 

When you recognize the activities driving your business, you can replicate those and expand upon them in 2023. It also gives you the clarity to let go of the things that are not moving the needle for your business goals. Sometimes, even activities that would be considered successful may need to deliver a more significant ROI to continue in the new year. 

Evaluate Your Mindset Going Into 2023

Once you have spent the time to evaluate your 2022, think about how you are feeling about the upcoming year. Are you excited and invigorated by the potential? Or are you feeling drained and dreading 2023? No matter where you find yourself on the mindset spectrum, spend some time thinking about how you want to feel this time next year. If you are drained and have no idea how to face another year, think about what would need to change to make your upcoming year more enjoyable. Do you need to let go of problem clients? Raise prices? Take more time off? 

Decide what you need to make yourself feel more energized about your business. After all, you got into business to have freedom and do something you love! Make the changes that will get you back to that mindset. 

If you need help, here are some blog posts dealing with mindset in business.

• How Past Financial Experiences Can Affect You Today
• How to be Confident in Your Expertise
• Journaling for Money Mindset
• 100 Money Mindset Affirmations
• Is it Money Mindset or Financial Trauma?

As we move into 2023, I encourage you to celebrate your small successes throughout the upcoming year. Being successful in business is not only about the money you make. It is about the people you help with your product or service, the enjoyment you get from sharing your talents with the world, and how you feel knowing that you are in control of your successes. 

Here is to your success in 2023! 

via GIPHY