A new theme for 2021
With the start of a new year comes a fresh outlook and a renewed sense of excitement. Can you feel it brewing, too? As everyone is ready to say a REAL BIG good-bye to 2020, the new year on the horizon seems globally anticipated.
For the last few years, I’ve chosen a word to manifest for the next 12 months ahead. My word for 2020 was abundance and ohhh, I got it — love, business growth, personal growth — abundance in the ways I’d hoped, and in some totally unexpected ways, as well. It’s safe to say I’m wrapping 2020 with a LOT of gratitude.
This year though, I’m changing it up – my word for 2021 is simplicity.
In order to align my life and business to achieve more simplicity, I had to look inward, reflecting on the past few months. I looked at what processes need to be tightened up, programs to help me get better organized, types of positions I will hire for, and – both physically and mentally — started clearing out the clutter.
I do truly believe hard work pays off, but I am officially OVER the way we glorify the hustle. Spoiler alert: It’s possible to have a successful business while living a simplified and balanced life, but not without a little forethought and a lot of intention.
Here are some key ways you can adopt more simplicity in your business for the year ahead:
Build Your Dream Team:
Growing a business on your own is quite literally impossible. Knowing when and who to hire is key in ensuring you get the support you need to scale. Defining your role in your business and filling in the gaps (ahem, things you hate doing, or aren’t great at doing) is going to help your business thrive while simplifying your day-to-day in one fell swoop. A few roles I recommend looking into include marketing and social media, content creation, accounting or bookkeeping, virtual assistant, tech support, graphic designer, or movers (if you’re a stager, like me!).
Create Templates
Templates are the bomb.com, k? They literally exist to make your life easier, and I am here for thaaaat in 2021! Tired of doing the same task over and over again? SAME. Templates can exist for any facet of your business, and will help you streamline and save time. For example, I created a folder in my Google Docs titled ‘common email responses’ that I can just pull up and copy and paste in a new email message when needed. Other template ideas include Instagram stories, email newsletters, any supporting documents you send out such as a contracts, staging reports, or proposals! Simplicity Bonus: Take it a step further and hire someone to design these for you so everything is on brand and consistent. What a thought, right?!
Content Batching
If you’re anything like me, writing content is at the bottom of your to do list. Ooops! I’m always in a scramble to create new content (or worse, it doesn’t happen at all). One of the major things I plan to implement in the coming year is batch writing, scheduling 2 full days a month that are dedicated *JUST* to writing blog posts, newsletters, and social media captions. Join me – or, at least just wish me luck?
Subscription Audit
I mentioned this in a blog post last year and will be implementing this again, because it’s a total game-changer. How many of us have ongoing subscriptions or memberships that we don’t use or perhaps don’t even need? HI, HELLO, IT’S ME! I have so many I can’t even keep track anymore. But, no worries, because I have a plan. I’m going to list them all out (ALLLL of them!) and decide what I need and what can go. Take a moment to go through each subscription in detail to make sure you are utilizing what each one has to offer — there may have been some handy upgrades since you signed up! Having apps and programs that help you simplify your business are necessary, so make sure you take your time when you go through this list and keep the ones that will help you create more simplicity. It feels like a daunting task, but I promise — getting rid of things you don’t need in your business has the same effect as decluttering your home.
For me, simplicity means happiness — and I am fully committed to calling more room for joy in 2021.
Here’s a sneak peek at my to-do list for Operation-Simplify-2021:
• Looking into purchasing a Sprinter van
• Leasing a warehouse space and letting go of the 4 storage units
• Hiring a virtual assistant
• Utilizing a project management tool (Monday.com came highly recommended)
• Hiring movers
• Batched content creation
Wishing you the best year ahead in life and in business. I’m truly grateful to be on this journey with you.
What are you looking most forward to in 2021? Drop me a line to share your plans for the year ahead!
