202. My Yearly Business Review Process: A Comprehensive Guide to Planning Your Most Profitable Year

Today, I want to share with you a part of my breakthrough year blueprint, we are going to go through a step-by-step process that will help you review your past year and strategically plan for a successful year ahead.

The Importance of Intentional Reflection

The first step in this process is to be intentional and reflective. It’s easy to set new goals without a plan for change, but I want to emphasize the importance of being strategic. We all have different growth goals, whether it’s financial success or achieving a better work-life balance. To help you in this process, you’ll need tools such as a planner, journal, financial records, and a phone to analyze data and track progress.

I encourage you to dedicate a 2 to 3-hour block of time for this process and to approach it with a growth mindset. Reflecting, analyzing, and making necessary adjustments are crucial to avoid repeating the same patterns and mistakes.

Reviewing Your Calendar: A Key to Understanding Time Allocation

One of the most important steps in this process is to review your calendar, whether digital or physical. By understanding how you spent your time in the previous year, you can make informed decisions about how to allocate your time in the future.

Analyzing how you spend your time and energy is crucial. Your calendar should reflect activities that move the needle towards your goals. Avoid filling your calendar with non-essential meetings and calls, as this can lead to feeling overwhelmed and spread thin.

Taking Control of Your Time

Assess whether your days are blank slates or if they have a clear plan and work hours. Use the search feature in your calendar to identify patterns and see where the bulk of your time is being spent. Block off time for visionary work, vacation, and family time, rather than letting work bleed into personal time.

Sometimes we lose track of time by bouncing from task to task without a clear plan, and this can hinder our success. Review your calendar and identify if your actions align with your goals and priorities.

Leveraging Tools for Effective Time Management

Your phone should not control you, but rather you should control when you check your emails, texts, and social media for work-related purposes. By leveraging your calendar, you can see where your days are going at a high level, while your planner helps you analyze and rework your hours and minutes.

Reflect on your previous year’s planner and identify patterns and areas for improvement. If you find that you were primarily using your planner as a to-do list manager, it’s a sign that you were in a maintenance and management mode rather than a leadership mode.

Creating Dedicated Blocks of Time

Create dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks and projects, as well as intentional work aligned with your goals. Strategic time for content creation and relationship-building should also be built into your schedule. By dedicating specific time slots for these activities, you can see progress and growth in these areas.

The Power of Journaling

Use a journal to reflect on the emotional side of your journey and how it aligns with your planner. The journal serves as a reminder of how you navigated challenges and came out stronger. It provides insights into your emotions, personal circumstances, and the wisdom gained from difficult times.

Financial Review and Strategic Decisions

Examine your finances and understand the health of your business and personal finances. This includes tracking income, expenses, profits, and investments. Make strategic decisions based on this information, such as cutting unnecessary expenses and doubling down on successful strategies.

You don’t have to do this alone… 

Involve family and team members in the planning process. Have open conversations with loved ones to understand their needs, frustrations, and desires. Seek feedback from team members to identify areas for improvement and growth.

Join Us for the Masterclass on January 8th, 2024

The visionary review process has transformative power. It’s centered around the importance of reflection, strategic planning, and involving others in the process to create a breakthrough year of growth and success.

I invite you to connect with me on Instagram or through email to share your thoughts and suggestions. And don’t forget to leave a review for the podcast. Your support means the world to me. Here’s to a successful year ahead!

RESOURCES: 

Your Most Profitable Year Masterclass

RELATED EPISODES: 

Episode 201: The Secret to Successful Leadership

Episode 196: The Path to Your Breakthrough Year

Episode 194: How to Build a Business that Stands the test of Time