Can you believe we are already passing by the first quarter of the year? It seems like just yesterday we were ringing in the new year and talking about resolutions and 2023 goals.
I facilitate a couple of mastermind groups for local business owners. These groups are great because they give business owners a community of support, accountability, idea generation, a venting space, and a regular “meeting of the minds” that allows for rapid growth. Click here if you’d like to learn more about my mastermind groups.
While it makes sense that business owners would stop and pause to consider their business progress after the first part of the year, it’s a good practice for individuals as well. We often get so busy. Work, kids, activities, dogs…it’s easy to get caught up in the go-go-go that we don’t stop to say, “What am I doing with myself and is it what I want to be doing? Is it what I need to be doing?”
I want to offer you a moment of free space to slow down and think about your year so far. Below are some of the questions I ask (or will be asking—be prepared, people!) the business owners in my mastermind. Maybe you can take 15 minutes to consider them for your business or your life. Even better, find a friend to grab lunch with and discuss both of your answers. If you’re married or in partnership it’s also a nice date-night conversation to help open up lines of communication and expectation setting as we move into a new season.
1) What was a big WIN in Q1? What made it a win?
I love starting this conversation or thought-practice on a positive note. What is something that went extremely well so far in 2023? What was a goal you accomplished or have made great progress toward? Have you started a new habit?
Even small accomplishments or a positive habit change can count as big wins. A fellow coach I know asked me to write down everything I had accomplished in my business since the beginning of the year. It was fantastic! Sometimes it’s easy to dwell on what we are working toward, our failures or even small missteps, but to sit down and think about a win or an accomplishment sets your mind right for the rest of this activity and for moving forward in 2023.
2) What was a missed opportunity or loss in Q1? What happened that caused this to occur? Is there anything you can do to prevent it from happening again?
We’ve got to take stock and recognize what hasn’t gone well. Did you lose a big client? Not reach your sales goal? Give up on your new year’s resolution? This question isn’t about dwelling on the negative, rather, it’s about analyzing what went wrong to ensure we can course correct.
Some things are in our control. Maybe you need to do a better job of controlling your own calendar because you didn’t spend enough time reconciling your budget. You can easily block (and honor) time off each week to ensure this gets done.
Somethings are out of our control. Maybe your kid got three back-to-back sicknesses and you spent more time at home and it negatively impacted your sales numbers. This is a natural part of life, things happen that are out of control. Sometimes you have to recognize it was a tough Q1 and going forward you are going to get back on track (and load your kid up with some vitamin C).
3) What do you need to change moving into Q2?
Look at your goals for 2023, think about how you’re spending your days, and sit with yourself for a minute. I want you to check in with your head, your heart, and your gut here. How has the first part of the year been for you? Are you accomplishing what you set out to? Do you feel happy with the way your year is going? Are you motivated to charge into Q2? Where you find a disconnect, think about what you need to change moving forward.
Maybe you need to reprioritize your sales calls.
Maybe you need to connect with your employees more and honor your scheduled one-on-ones.
Maybe you need to turn your phone off at 6 PM and focus on your family.
Maybe you need to schedule a vacation.
Figure out what you need to change and course correct now.
4) Finally, are there additional resources, contacts or services you need to engage with to help you as you move forward?
You are not meant to do this alone, friend. Whether you are a business owner, a mother, or a single, cat lady—you can ask for help, hire help, or trade help. Can AI help you write your blog posts? (AI did not help me write this, but maybe it should have!) Do you need to connect with someone in real estate to help you source a new business location? Should you finally hire that cleaning service so you never have to touch a toilet brush again? Could you trade baby-sitting nights with your neighbors so you can both get a night out?
You can streamline your business, career, and life by leaning on others. Don’t have so much pride that you suffer through another quarter.
What do you think? I know if you take the time to take stock of your Q1, you’ll move more intentionally into Q2. If you like this sort of thing and want to surround yourself with likeminded people who can help hold you accountable, consider joining a mastermind. Email me at sarah@collinscareercoaching.com with the subject line “A Mastermind For ME?” and we’ll see what we can work out.
Take care of you, my friend.