Using Cabin Fever to Create Motivation

As I write this month’s newsletter, the snow is falling outside my window (again.) It’s officially still autumn, but apparently winter simply can’t wait!  Actually, I understand the feeling. Being snowbound not only gives us time to reflect on the past year, but a taste of cabin fever is great for creating motivation and excitement for hitting the ground running in 2014.

As a productivity and operations expert, I always recommend that my clients (and my family) use this downtime to take a few simple but absolutely essential steps:

• Set business benchmarks. Set very specific financial goals for your business. Is it time to reorganize, downsize or grow? Decide exactly where you’re going where before you start out.

• Straighten out at home. Organize your personal finances once and for all. Get your family in on the action, and help elder parents to stop worrying about managing day-to-day expenses.

• Get help. Enlist expert help with putting organizational processes in place so your goals have the best possible chances of success. Proper accounting systems for your business and at-home bill management assistance will save you time and frustration in the long run.

Enjoy. Celebrate success!  This is one worthwhile act of acknowledging the people, circumstances and things in your life that support you and take you closer to your goals. It will also keep your outlook positive no matter what the new year brings.

A Last Look Back at 2013

What are your plans?

What are your goals?

What will be the first thing you do after the holiday hustle and bustle is behind you? 

Before 2013 ends, take a moment to think about how you answered those same questions at the end of 2012. Did you save the money you set out to?  Was your financial process haphazard or streamlined?  Do you even know where the money went?

If everything went swimmingly in 2013, keep doing what you’re doing, but this year set even loftier goals! If 2013 wasn’t ideal, now’s not the time for regrets, but for finding the lessons in the setbacks. If you didn’t reach your goals for growth and organization, take a good hard look at what went wrong, then put processes in place immediately so a year from now you can say you’ve met your goals.

Plowing Ahead in the New Year

This is one of the best times of the year. In December, despite the holiday stresses, most people allow themselves the rare pleasure of taking extra time to celebrate and reflect. Personally, when I look back over 2013 I see so many reasons to rejoice. I completely rebranded and grew my business, adding more services for both business and individual clients. More importantly, I found immeasurable satisfaction from helping clients become more organized and ultimately, more profitable. And I had the pleasure of taking time for myself, including a Mediterranean cruise with a friend who is still a friend after spending two weeks in a tiny cabin together!

I reflect on the good year I had for the simple purpose of encouraging you to do the same. As you enjoy this holiday season with friends, family and business associates, may you be overcome with abundance, laughter and excitement for the coming year.  Call me anytime and together we can plan, strategize and execute new processes for making 2014 your best year yet.

Most of all, from Price Turner CFOs to your team at work and your family at home, Happy Holidays and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!