2024 is here!! We’ve made it to January, and a new year lays ahead like a freshly unrolled red carpet. It’s that time when fellow entrepreneurs are bustling with big plans, launches and well-laid strategies.
But here’s the twist in my story – in my world, January is the 13th month and when I do my final business planning for the new year.
It’s not the beginning but a unique continuation – my time to wrap up and put those final touches on plans, kicking off my business year with a sense of completeness and readiness.
And why, you ask? It’s simple.
As a mom of school-aged kids, the last three months of my year are actual chaos. School events, holiday preparations and that end-of-year rush both at home and in business. It’s a joyful yet chaotic symphony.
So, when January rolls around, I take a different approach – I take the time to breathe, reflect and prepare. It’s a month where I make sense of the chaos, get my ducks in a row and set the stage for the year ahead.
Use January As Your Business Planning Month
Using January as a planning and kickoff month is one of the best things I’ve ever adopted for lots of reasons, but mostly because it allows me TIME.
Time to:
- Reflect and Analyze:
The first week of January is spent looking back at the previous year. What worked? What didn’t? How can I take that and apply it strategically to my business this year?
This is the time for honest reflection and learning from past experiences.
- Strategize with Clarity:
With the holiday rush behind and kids back in school, January gives me the mental space to strategize without the pressure of immediate execution.
It’s about planning with a clear, calm mind. I take advantage of the reflection I do and allow myself space and time to think through my plan for the year.
- Set Realistic Goals:
Setting goals in January, away from the pressure of the ‘New Year, New Me’ bullshit, allows for more realistic and achievable goal setting.
There is also less pressure of a countdown clock, ticking aways to Dec 31st. This kind of freedom is key in setting and tailoring my goals and business growth.
Making Your Own Rules: The Power of Personalized Business Strategies
One of the best things about being an entrepreneur is that you get to make your rules. Your journey does not have to look like anyone else’s and the way you go about business planning doesn’t have to either.
Making your own rules in business isn’t just a perk; it’s a necessity. As you start to make those rules, think about:
- Understanding Your Unique Rhythm:
Every entrepreneur has a rhythm, a schedule and a path that works best for them.
For me, the focus is aligning my business cycle with my personal life. I am able to create around the parts of my life that aren’t going anywhere – my kids, my husband, my personal growth and my health.
This approach allows for balance and boundaries – two things that are non-negotiables for me.
- Flexibility and Adaptability:
Business, much like life, is unpredictable.
When you make your own rules and set your own parameters, it’s much easier for you to stay flexible.
- Authenticity and Relatability:
A major perk of doing it your way? It makes your business – the way you run things, market yourself and show up – so authentic.
It’s also helpful when working with clients. If you are able to find that authenticity and perfect path for yourself, you’re able to help your clients do the same.
That sort of relatability is priceless!
What Will Your Business Planning Look Like?
So, as we step into 2024, I encourage you to think about your own ’13th month.’Â
How can you tailor your schedule, your goals and your strategies to align with your personal and professional life seamlessly? Remember, in the world of entrepreneurship, your greatest strength lies in the freedom to carve a path that authentically aligns with who you are.
And as you embark on this journey, know that you’re not alone. In the last 4 years I’ve been there, done that, am STILL doing it and would love to help you find your perfect marketing path!
If you don’t already, follow me on Instagram and TikTok! Or visit www.katiekastner.com to connect, and let’s make 2024 a year of growth, success, and happiness, tailored just for you.
