3 Questions to Ask Yourself to Set Your Business (and Self) Up for Success for H2 2024
As we step into the second half of 2024, it's the perfect time to reassess, realign, and recharge for the journey ahead. For women in business, this is an opportunity to ensure that your entrepreneurial vision and personal goals are harmoniously synced.
I recommend that you take the time to put your CEO hat on. Schedule uninterrupted time in your diary and make this reflection and planning exercise a priority. Pour yourself a cuppa, light a candle, sage your office, perhaps put some quiet classical music on in the background (nothing with words to distract you), grab your favourite pen and paper… or whiteboard if you have one! And take the time to ask yourself these questions.
Think, write down anything and everything that comes to mind, then pull out what you want to keep and commit to for the 6 months ahead.
The purpose is when it comes to Christmas day and your out-of-office is on…. you’ve kicked up your feet and poured a glass of wine, you want to exhale and be proud of how far you’ve come and what you’ve achieved in 6 months.
But if you don’t take the time to stop and break it down, who knows where the busyness of life might take you. You want to be intentional with your time and where your business is headed to make sure you end up exactly where you planned… or somewhere even better!
Here are three essential questions to help you set your business and yourself up for success.
1. Where Do I Want the Business to Be in the Next 5 Years?
It’s important to look a little further out first so that we get clear on our BIG picture vision first, to know that our next 6 month plan is going to be aligned and keeping us on course to achieve our goals long term.
Visualize your business five years from now. What does success look like? Consider the following aspects:
Business Landscape: What market position do you envision? Are you a market leader, a niche player, or a trailblazer in innovation?
Targets and Achievements: What milestones have you achieved? Think about revenue goals, market expansion, product launches, or key partnerships.
Personal Involvement: Reflect on your role in the business. How has it evolved? Are you more strategic, focusing on growth and innovation, or have you handed over day-to-day operations to a trusted team?
Daily Routine and Feelings: Picture your day-to-day activities. Are you working fewer hours, focusing on passion projects, or mentoring the next generation of women entrepreneurs? How do you feel – empowered, content, or exhilarated?
By defining this long-term vision, you create a compelling destination that can guide your business decisions and personal growth.
What Dani is doing…
In the next 5 years I want SPARK to be global and have extended the grant program to 5 key regions.
I want SPARK to be considered one of the world’s biggest media site for women in business.
I personally will balance this effort by over time reducing my hours to 4 days per week with the support of a small (but epic) team!
2. Where Do I Want the Business to Be by the End of This Year?
Fast forward to the end of 2024. Imagine yourself relaxing with a well-deserved glass of wine on Christmas day. Reflect on the following:
Business Achievements: What specific goals have you accomplished? Consider sales targets, customer base expansion, or successful project completions.
Business Appearance: How does your business look? Have you implemented new systems, hired additional staff, or moved to a bigger office?
Personal Role: What has your role been in these achievements? Have you been hands-on in driving initiatives, or have you focused on strategic oversight?
Feelings of Pride: What makes you feel proud? Is it the resilience you showed, the growth you achieved, or the impact you made on your community?
This reflection not only celebrates your accomplishments but also provides a clear benchmark for evaluating your progress and setting new goals.
What Dani is doing…
Today I spent the morning brainstorming everything I wanted to achieve by the end of the year. This includes migrating our membership over to the Mighty Networks platform, more course curriculum to support women in businesses grow (always included in the membership inclusions) and yes, I need to take TikTok seriously.
3. How Can I Break Down These Goals into Monthly, Fortnightly, Weekly, or Daily Sprints?
Achieving long-term and short-term goals requires actionable steps. Reflect on where you want the business to be by the end of 2024 and break down your goals into manageable chunks:
Monthly Milestones: Identify major projects or targets for each month. For example, July could be focused on marketing campaigns, August on product development, and September on customer feedback and adjustments.
Fortnightly Focus: Every two weeks, set specific objectives that contribute to your monthly goals. This keeps you on track and allows for regular assessment and adjustments.
Weekly Wins: Break down fortnightly objectives into weekly tasks. This helps maintain momentum and provides a sense of achievement every week.
Daily Actions: Define daily tasks that align with your weekly goals. Prioritize tasks that move you closer to your objectives and ensure consistent progress. Add these actions into your calendar so you don’t get to the end of the week having not ticked them off the list!!
What Dani is doing…
After my brainstorm morning… I broke my goals down into 10 fortnightly sprints to see me through to the end of the year (taking into consideration a little holiday I have coming up). I’ve added each sprint into my project management tool - ClickUp - and on each ticket I am starting to flesh out what I will need to do in each sprint to make it a success.
BONUS: What Do I Have to Do Personally to Make Sure I Can Show Up for My Business?
Your business's success is closely tied to your well-being. Consider the following to ensure you’re at your best:
Self-Care Routine: Establish a self-care routine that includes exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient rest. This helps maintain your energy levels and mental clarity.
Continuous Learning: Invest in your personal and professional development. Attend workshops, read industry-relevant books, or engage in networking events to stay inspired and informed.
Support System: Build a strong support system. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and a team that shares your vision and values.
Work-Life Balance: Strive for a balance that allows you to enjoy personal time without compromising your business goals. Set boundaries and delegate tasks when necessary.
What Dani is doing…
I’m not going to lie, I have not been taking care of myself this year. I love how we have milestones like a new financial year to give us an arbitrary reset. They give me fresh energy. I will be focusing on walking, yoga, reading and eating more of the things that nourish me. I will also prioritise regular check ins with my therapist, kinesiologist and business coach, who give me the brain kind of energy!! I’m actually incredible lucky that I run SPARK so I always have a community of awesome women in business who are on the same journey that I check in with every week - our virtual sessions give me life. The next 6 months is a BIG season of progress so I’m going to need to protect my energy in all ways to show up as my best self.
If you are feeling a little flat or off-course, take this mid-year reset as an opportunity to course correct. By asking yourself these questions, breaking down your goals and taking deliberate actions, you can ensure that both you and your business are positioned for a successful and fulfilling second half of 2024.
I want you to be messaging me on Christmas day cheers-ing to your best year in business yet!
And if no one else tells you today, you’ve got this! Dx
