Tips for Reflecting on 1 Year in Business

The end of the year is a great time to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished over the past year, and that’s especially true if you’re a business owner. At the same time, it’s important to remember that we don’t need to wait until January rolls around to stop and reflect on the past year. If your business is celebrating its first anniversary, that’s a great time to think about everything you’ve learned from 1 year in business.

When reflecting on our business, our default is often to think about the things that did not go so well, especially if we didn’t achieve the goals we set for ourselves. I like to put a stop to that by starting off with celebrating the things that went right in your last year in business.

Reflecting on the Highlights of 1 Year in Business

​Start by writing out a chart with one line for each month of the year. I want you to go through each month and think about the highlights for that month. What “wins” did you have that month (personal or professional)? What challenges did you overcome? Did anything new pop up? Any new relationships (or letting go of old relationships that were no longer serving you)? Did your existing relationships change?

​I love starting with a look at the highlights of your last year in business because it’s a great way to boost your confidence and get you in a positive mindset before you start looking to the next year.

​If you start planning for the next year by thinking about the things you did not accomplish in the past year, you’ll be approaching the next year from a place of failure, rather than with a success mindset. Taking some time to remember your highlights from 1 year in business is a great way to flip your mindset and get you thinking about all the things you have accomplished in the past year so you can focus on the things you can accomplish over the next 12 months.

Reflecting on the People Impacted in 1 Year in Business

​Most of us started our business so we could have some sort of positive impact on people’s lives, so take some time now to think about the people you impacted over the course of 1 year in business.

Again, this is about getting you into a positive mindset. You might not have as many clients as you want, but focusing on the people who said “no” won’t get you anywhere. By contrast, focusing on the people who said “yes”, and all the ways you changed their lives for the better can help you remember why you started your business in the first place and provide confirmation that you are having an impact.

Challenges Overcome in 1 Year in Business

​We’ve all overcome challenges in our business, and taking the time to stop and reflect on the things we’ve overcome can be incredibly empowering.

​This is another way of avoiding the Spiral of Despair if you’re prone to thinking about the challenges that held you back because you were unable to overcome them. By remembering all the things you did not let stop you, you’ll be more likely to approach the coming year with a can-do attitude.

​Successes of 1 Year in Business

​Even if you didn’t achieve all the goals you set out for yourself in the past year, you must have had some successes. Whether it was signing a new client, launching a new product/service, or hosting a successful event, take some time to stop and take stock of all the success you had in just 1 year in business. Doing so will get you motivated to think about the success you want to have in your next year in business.

​New Relationships Developed in 1 Year in Business

​This one can be personal, professional, or both. Did you gain a new client? Did you become a client of someone else? Did you meet someone who helped you take your business to the next level?

​You can also feel free to reflect on new friendships, or even new romantic relationships if applicable. As business owners, the line between our personal and professional lives can be blurry at best, so changes to your personal relationships can absolutely impact your business and vice versa.

​Ways I’ve Given Back in 1 Year in Business

​Giving back is a great way to give meaning to our lives, because even if we love our jobs, that’s not enough on its own for us to feel fulfilled. Giving back can make us feel needed and more connected to our communities. Whether you’ve been giving back as part of your business, or just in your free time, taking the time to take stock of the ways in which you’ve given back over the past year in business is another great way to boost your self-confidence.

​Get Help from a Coach for Your Next 1 Year in Business

​Whether you struggled through the past year in business, or your business is growing and you need help strategizing so you can keep the momentum going, having a business coach on your team can be an incredibly valuable resource. If you’ve been thinking about coaching, you can schedule your FREE clarity call now to see if you’re moving in the right direction.