This past year has been a whirlwind. We’ve gone through something unthinkable and somehow figured out a way to keep going no matter what. We think it’s time to take that same resilience into the new year in the form of a new business mentality.

One way to set yourself up for success in the new year is to forget about all of those predictable New Year’s resolutions. Studies show that 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail, and you know why? Because we set vague, unrealistic, long-term goals that we’re actually scared of and resistant to achieving.

Instead, maybe we should all be making New Year’s rituals — shorter, more attainable, habit-driven goals you can actually accomplish.

Over the past several months, you’ve undoubtedly had to adjust to a new routine or even new daily life entirely. Whether it’s been switching to working from home, helping your kids adjust to remote learning, or simply having to follow a strict set of rules to keep yourself safe and healthy every time you leave the house, we know it hasn’t been easy. But that’s exactly why setting rituals are more important than setting resolutions for next year.

A ritual is more than a resolution. A ritual is a commitment you’re making to yourself to better yourself. Once you complete your ritual every day, every week, or every month, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that will keep resilience alive within you.

What Should Your New Year’s Ritual Be?

Make these rituals as personal or as professional as you’d like. We recommend having a mix of both, as well as a mix of timeframes (daily, weekly, monthly) to accomplish them.

Here are a few solid examples. Feel free to use these as your own rituals or to help you create some unique ones!

Daily

• Post on your business’s social media channel.
• Meditate.
• Respond to a customer review or comment (whether positive or negative) online.
• Take 15 minutes out of your day to write down what you’re grateful for.

Weekly

• Do customer outreach (cold calls, pitches, etc.) to new and prospective clients.
• Stay completely offline one day each week to regroup and reset.
• Send a weekly update email to your business’s subscriber list.
• Prep your lunch meals in advance one day each week.

Monthly

• Sit down and write your business goals each month for the following month.
• Use a vacation day each month to explore somewhere you’ve never been before.
• Take a new business course about a topic you may not know a lot about.
• Volunteer once a month in your local community.

Supportedly makes it easy to become a successful business owner in 2021 with simple how-to training, advice on-demand, quality support, and local connections. Let’s reach your goals (and commit to your new rituals) in the new year!

Have questions in the meantime?