The Power of REFLECTION

Let's do 2024 differently...

As we start to gear up for an exciting journey into 2024, it matters to remember to reflect on that 2023 rollercoaster before jumping on the next ride. I know I totally geek out over all things strategy and planning, but I can guarantee that all that planning will always always be less effective without proper reflection! 

So, as we all head back to “for real” working this week, grab your new planner / diary / notebook  and let's take a moment to soak it all in, channel and set the stage for a phenomenal year ahead. 

Starting with your CLIENTS

You don’t have a business without customers / clients so it’s important to spend some time reviewing them! Pull your client list and review:

• How they found you (this helps identify which marketing sources are working)
• How long they were / have been a client (if they currently aren’t active, write down why)
• How you’ve supported them (what products / services / freebies have they purchased / received from you)
• How you feel about them as a client (are they your ideal client? Would you prefer to avoid this type of client in the future?)

Now, think about the future. How can you continue supporting them in the coming year? If you want to of course (i.e. ideal client).

Top Tip: Gather feedback! You could do this by reaching out individually or sending out a feedback questionnaire to all of last year’s clients. 

Next stop, your INCOME + EXPENSES 

Financial talk is probably not anyone’s highlight, but it's crucial for business health and for understanding what you need (and want). Pull together your monthly income and expenses for the whole of 2023 and review:

• How much income you made each month (is it where you want it to be?)
• Vs how much expenses you spent (how much profit is that leaving you with?)
• If you have your own business - what wage did you take for yourself each month (and does that cover the lifestyle you want?)
• Which months are best and worst for you and why (is there anything you could you to cash in on this or improve it?)

And then start to think about how you could increase your income and / or decrease your expenses for the year ahead.

It is super important not to bury your head in the sand when it comes to your finances and breaking it all down will make it much easier to wrap your head round and identify areas you can improve.

Last stop, your PRODUCTS + SERVICES 

There is no point knocking your pan in if your products and services aren’t doing you justice. 

Write down each product / service and review:

• How much you sold of each (was it easy / hard to do?)
• How much profit you made on each (is it worth it?)
• What type of client is buying each (are they your ideal client / who you want to work with?)
• Which ones you enjoy the most (and how you can do more of them)

And then start to think about whether you want to continue / tweak or remove each of these products / services for the year ahead.

FYI I frigging love service mapping with clients! Breaking down each service and identifying ways to make them better and more profitable. I use a simple system to capture everything and if you want to work through this together, book a 1:1 session with me.

So, here's to reflection! Let's bid farewell to 2023 with gratitude, learnings, and a clear vision for an awesome 2024. 

If you’d like more insights like this, join my free Facebook Community or explore how we can work together on my website.

You've got this 💪🏻