I have studied what successful entrepreneurs do at year end. The most beautiful thing about their practices is that…….they keep it simple.

What I have learned is that success breeds success. There is no need to re-invent the wheel and there is also no need to complicate things. That seems to be the tendency of many entrepreneurs that I coach.

I like to keep things simple. That’s what makes me happy and that is what makes me successful, too.

So, since it is coming to the end of the year, I wanted to share my observations on the 5 things successful entrepreneurs do that cause them to move forward with ease and peace of mind.

 #1: GET A NEW JOURNAL FOR THE YEAR

To be honest, if there is one thing that I should insure, and insure highly, are my business journals. While they may not be as interesting to read as a personal diary/journal, the content is worth a million bucks. Seriously! I have paid my coaches thousands and thousands of dollars these past few years and my notes from the coaching sessions/retreats are worth a lot of money. I buy myself a ‘Million Dollar’ Journal at the end of each year – transfer some key notes – and am ready to start again on January 1^st with fresh, clean, new pages. Get one and see the difference it makes – keeping your notes all in one place is bound to set you up for success – and it’s great to work in a beautiful leather-bound book too. (get a nice pen to go with it!)

TIP #2: CLEAR THE CLUTTER

I swear that the paper is my office is just like rabbits! Feels like that paper just keeps on duplicating and breeding, or some such thing. Paper just appears out of nowhere. I know that successful entrepreneurs work in a clean, clutter-free environment. I make it a habit to keep my office and desk clutter free and it makes all the difference in the world. At year end, I also am brutal when it comes to purging. I love that feeling. I can breathe easy. I know this is a critical step for most of you because when I start working with new clients and they complete the Client Intake Form, one of the questions I ask is ‘what do you tolerate’? 90% of the time they write a messy desk and office. So, now is the time. Take action. You’ll be so happy you did.

TIP #3: REACH OUT AND GIVE THANKS

Successful entrepreneurs are very aware that no one reaches any level of competence and achievement in their business all by themselves. Everyone needs help. Successful entrepreneurs express gratitude and acknowledge those who have helped them to grow. They reach out and give thanks – and often acknowledge this support as a public accolade too. Think of the 5 people who have helped you the most this year – reach out – make a personal phone call  – send a hand-written note. It takes very little time and means the world to most people on the receiving end.

TIP #4: KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

Successful entrepreneurs review their numbers at year end. It’s time to take a close look at what worked and what didn’t work during the year. Prepare a budget for the coming year. Again, be brutal – chop those expense items that did not bring you an ROI (return on investment). Explore and investigate new things to do – new places to go – new things to learn. Ask colleagues for recommendations particularly when it comes to professional development.

TIP #5: PLAN SOME VACATION FOR THE COMING YEAR

No one can keep going, and going, and going, and going. No one. Everyone needs to stop and re-charge. Take control of your calendar and before the year ends, decide when you will take some much needed vacation time in the next 12 months. Put it on your calendar in ink. Do not compromise when it comes to taking care of YOU. When I first re-launched my business 5 years ago, my ‘vacation’ time was a Friday afternoon, every other week in the summer. That was it. That was all I could manage as I worked hard to grow the business from scratch. As the years went by, I now schedule vacation time each quarter- it may be an extended long weekend, it may be a full week or two – it differs, depending on what I want to do and where I want to go. I am heading to Africa on a Business Mentoring trip in March – I have every intention of adding on some vacation days to that venture. Take a look at your calendar right now – and be good to you – mark off some time – make it exciting and emotional and something to really look forward to.

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT! Those are the simple success tips I have observe and have implemented into my own life and my business. They are simple and they work.

KEEP IT SIMPLE!

WHAT ONE STEP WILL YOU IMPLEMENT THIS WEEK?

Please share your thoughts!