The new year is finally upon us, and that means it’s time to talk about resolutions. I’ve always been a fan of setting goals at the beginning of each year because it provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect and focus on self-improvement. This year, I’ve made three resolutions that I think will be helpful to anyone running a business or leading a team.
Resolution #1: Commit to focus and clear direction
Focus is essential to finding your flow and building a successful business. As leaders, it’s all too easy to fall victim to shiny object syndrome or allow your insecurities to become distractions. Very few strategies get flawlessly executed, which is why you can expect to experience a few bumps along the way. When you encounter these challenges, don’t give into the temptation to change course right away.
This year, I’ve resolved to make focus and clear direction a priority. My company, BodeTree, has proven out our model, premise, and product to the extent that we’re ready to scale the business like never before. This is both an exciting and somewhat frightening proposition. After all, the process of scaling a business provides ample opportunity for distraction and failures in execution. By committing to focus and clear direction, my team and I will be able to avoid these pitfalls and stay on track.
To accomplish this, I’ve introduced the idea of the “2016 BodeTree Formula,” which I’ve reinforced with my team time and time again. The formula is simple; when it comes to operations, there are only two areas that we’re focusing on: sales and execution. We’re going to have our sales organization focusing on signing as many banks and credit unions as possible, and our marketing, service, and technology teams are going to focus on executing on the contracts we sign. It sounds simple, in reality; it’s a strong statement on where we’re focusing as an organization and the direction we’re taking in 2016.
Resolution #2: Put Mindfulness to work
Entrepreneurship is hard, and there are many unseen burdens that leaders of organizations have to bear. The stress of meeting goals, leading a team, raising capital, and executing a strategy can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to get lost in the anxiety of a thousand different “what if” scenarios. That’s why mindfulness is such an important skill to cultivate.
Mindfulness essentially comes down to being present and aware in the current moment, and quieting the most chaotic elements of your mind. The benefits of mindfulness have been well documented, and a recent Harvard Business Review article points out that it takes as little as six seconds of mindful meditation for these benefits to manifest themselves.
I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve that will help me keep this resolution. First, I’m going to get into the office earlier than everyone else and use the time to center myself for the day ahead. Taking just five to ten minutes in the morning to meditate and be mindful pays off in spades throughout the day. Second, I’m relying on new technology to help me maintain my mindfulness throughout the day. My wife is all too aware of the stresses and anxieties I deal with in my entrepreneurial life and decided to buy me a Spire mindfulness tracker for Christmas
This little wearable device monitors your breathing and helps you stay calm and centered throughout the day. I’ve been using it for about a week now, and the Spire has made a tremendous difference in my daily life. Now, I’m able to spot when I’m getting tense, focused, or calm even when I’m distracted. This little device will be a major ally in maintaining mindfulness throughout the coming year.
Resolution #3: Pursue balance in all things
The pursuit of balance is incredibly important for entrepreneurs and leaders. The world in which we live and operate lends itself to extremes, both regarding actions and opinions. All too often we classify people as either good or bad or decisions as right or wrong. Work is viewed as something that is either 24/7 or simply something that happens between the hours of eight and five. This false view of the world is both damaging and unproductive because it is unnaturally polarized. Nothing in life is that simple, and seeking balance is the solution.
Balance isn’t a decision; it’s a lifestyle. I believe that it’s impossible to find mental balance if you lack physical balance. That’s why I’m resolving to put a new focus maintaining a better mind/body balance in the new year. Fortunately, my wife is a fitness instructor for Sadie Lincoln’s Barre3, which focuses on achieving and maintaining mind/body balance. Attending these Barre3 classes will become part of my daily routine. The hope is that by starting my days in a state of physical and mental balance, the benefits will carry over to the rest of my day and help me make better decisions at BodeTree.
My advice to my fellow entrepreneurs is simple. Make a strong resolution this year to commit to focus, mindfulness, and balance in all elements of your life. If You’ll find it will help you become a better person, as well as a better leader.
