My Promises for 2014

Just like magazines and fashion, I need to work a few months ahead of myself. Plan, prepare and then flop around for the holidays! So here's what I'm planning for next year. Nothing beats keeping promises made in public...

In 2014, I promise to:

• do less and think more.
• to stop, smell the roses and let my mind drift.
• to get out of the office and hang around cool places. 
• not listen to everyone's advice.
• have less goals.

I bet you're thinking, "Wow, she's given up. What a loser-list of promises."

But in fact, it's the total opposite. I plan 2014 to be my best, most successful yet. To grow my list of happy clients with gorgeous chairs.

My first year running My Bespoke Chair has been a wild roller-coaster; I've lost count of the times I've cried in frustration one minute only to score a fantastic victory the next. Worked like a mad-woman only to hit a brick wall, then bask in glorious 'how did I do that?' achievement.

If you still think I'm taking the road to Loserville with my promises for 2014, let me reframe them.

In 2014, I promise to:

• plan my actions and develop a carefully considered strategy.
• come up with inventive ways to promote, improve, sell and grow.
• to change my working environment so that inspiration flows towards me.
• choose only 1 or 2 industry leaders/programs to follow and implement their lessons.
• specify 3 goals for the year and reach them.

What am I trying to avoid in 2014?

• the scatter-gun approach to business. Of course, as an e-commerce novice, it was vital I tried out as many approaches as possible. It was the only way to discover what to do and how to do it.
• hearing opposing and confusing messages. There are so many experts and luminaries to take advice from and it can be overwhelming; newsletters, blog posts, seminars, webinars, online programs etc. It just becomes noise. So I'm tuning into a couple of my favourites only. People who have actually succeeded in the goals I'm setting myself. 
• FOMO. By setting only 3 goals, my focus will be on measurable efforts and results; not on sickening feelings of "I'm missing out if I don't do this, speak to this person, get into this magazine, go to this event, follow this program."

What are your promises to yourself in 2014?

*FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out

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