Preparing for 2009: 10 Things You Must Ask Yourself About 2008

As 2009 approaches, it’s time to look back at 2008 and evaluate your business. Consider the following questions. They’ll help you identify where things are working, what needs to change, and get some ideas flowing for making 2009 an even better year for your business.

1) Did you have written goals for 2008?

Did you achieve your written goals? Or get close? Take some steps in the right direction?

2) Do you have an overall vision/plan for where your business is going and what it will look like when it reaches that goal?

Are you moving in the right direction? It’s never too late to refocus your business and your life to help you reach your goals. But you can only do this if you know where you want to be.

3) Do you have an overall vision for where your life is going and what it will look like when you get there?

Your business should support that life vision, not challenge or compete with it.

4) Did you create and follow a marketing plan and business plan?

No matter how long you’ve been in business, or how new you are, if you’ve haven’t got both then now is a great time to create them.

5) Which marketing methods were most effective for your business?

How do you know? If you aren’t sure, then one important thing to do in 2009 is learn to track your marketing.

6) What was your best month? Why?

This may not be the month you made the most money. My two best months were the month I launched a marketing workshop because it energized me and that carried over into other projects and tasks, and the month I made a big decision about the future of my business and began taking concrete action steps to get there.

7) Looking at your business from the perspective of your family (partner, spouse, children, whomever is affected by your decisions and priorities) what would they say?

What would they praise you for or ask you to consider changing?

8) What areas did you struggle with the most during the year?

Are there specific tasks you wish you could completely eliminate from your “to do” list? If so, what’s stopping you?

9) Did you actively participate in continuing your education, improving your skills, and growing as a person?

Your business grows when you do! Be sure to make time for this in 2009.

10) What products, services, or clients did you most enjoy working with? Least enjoy working with?

Focus on growing the areas you enjoy and learn to say no to projects you don’t. It’s your business and your life.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

And now, let me give you access to some great free resources for small businesses including 101 Free/Cheap Ways to Market Your Business, 119 Things You Can Outsource, and more at www.michelleshaeffer.com

Michelle Shaeffer has been a work at home mom for more than 10 years and loves to share the tips and strategies she's learned to help other home based business owners balance, manage, and market their businesses.

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