The first week of January always has the excitement that comes with fresh starts. We have an entire year ahead of us to take action on our goals. There’s so much opportunity!
To commit to making the year ahead the best one yet for your copywriting business, let’s lay a foundation for taking action on our goals. After all, even if we just spend five, 10, 30 minutes each day on our businesses, we will make progress.
So, with that, I’d encourage you to make these commitments, for yourself and your business.
Commit to doing ONE thing each day that will move your business forward.
I know, that sounds wildly unreasonable, right? But I don’t mean “I will make my entire portfolio today!” I mean one step that will help you make progress on moving your business and career forward.
Spend 15 minutes or so each morning planning what you need to tackle that day. During this mini planning session, ask yourself, “what is one thing I can do to move business forward?” Make that your number one priority.
If you’re like me, you make a to-do list for Monday that is impossible to get done. Having one task that is your main goal for the day means you are focusing on what matters most.
Commit to working when you work best.
Not everyone is at the top of their writing game between 9 and 5. We’ve grown so accustomed to the 9-to-5 lifestyle, but, especially when you’re a freelance copywriter, you can work when it works best for you.
For example, I do my most creative work in the early morning. I save admin tasks and meetings for the afternoon when I am not at my most creative. That way my clients get the best work and I’m not constantly pushing against a cement wall trying to write copy when I’m just not at the top of my game.
Take some time (that may mean tracking your time for a couple of weeks!) to figure out what works best for you.
Commit to believing in your success.
No matter what goal you’ve set for your business, it is possible. And if it is possible, then you can achieve it. That doesn’t mean it will be easy or that some tasks you need to complete will push you outside your comfort zone. That is inevitable. But it is doable.
My challenge to you is to strike “I can’t” from your vocabulary. Get rid of “I’m not smart” or “I will never be like those copywriters.” Any time you feel a negative thought coming, swap it with “I know that some of this will be hard, and I’m in a challenging part right now, but I can and will do it.”
Commit to being perfectly imperfect.
While we can swap negative thoughts for positive ones (we all have a loud inner critic!), that doesn’t mean resistance is going to completely go away. Like a river, resistance will find another path to take. Equipped with that knowledge, you can better prepare when your inner critic continues to pop up.
Make it a habit of saying “It can be done. And if it can be done, I can do it.”
But remember too that no one is perfect. As much as you may see other copywriters or other professionals in general that have it all together, know that we’re all battling inner critics. Comparison doesn’t help us achieve our goals. Action does.
Commit to doing the work.
Sometimes our motivation to work toward what we want (more flexibility, time with family, income, etc.) is strong enough to overcome any doubts or energy lags. Sometimes it’s simply not.
When you feel those moments where you’re dragging your feet (and they will happen!), take time to think through what happens if you don’t do the work. For example, “I’m going to do some online shopping and then I’ll get back to this project.” Suddenly, three hours have gone by and you haven’t made any progress.
Not making progress means spending more time where you don’t want to be, whether that’s in a career that drains you or doesn’t value you. Instead, when you commit to doing the work, you’re choosing the positive outcomes: a job you love, hours you choose, income you can control.
Commit to checking in on your goals.
Writing down your goals is a great first start. After all, so many people simply carry their goals in their head. But add time on your calendar right now to check in on those goals.
- What is your goal for your business?
- How much do you want to earn this year?
- What do you want your working days to look like?
- What do you need to do each month to get there?
Answering those questions is a great place to start. But then take time each month and reassess your progress (and adjust as needed!). It’s much easier to course correct if you identify challenges before they become an insurmountable problem.
Your turn! Will you commit to doing any of these things in the new year? If so, which ones? Let us know in the comments below!
I was working in my 2022 planner this morning and doing exactly what was suggested here. Perfect timing!
My goals include the following:
*complete 1 small task daily to move forward
*do my creative work at most optimal time for me
*positive mindset- I can and will achieve my goals
*check in regularly on my goals & adjust as needed
*remember to give myself grace daily because I am perfectly imperfect
Thank you for always providing such invaluable advice!
Love these goals, Natalie! Thanks for sharing!
All of the above! Thank you, Kate, for another expertly crafted, inspiring piece. As is the case with *anything*, you’ll get out of it what you put into it.
Great point–the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it! Thanks for commenting, Dorian!
I hit the reset button on my life, which includes career goals, after a major family death. Life is so short and things can happen unexpectedly. I am definitely shaken up by the loss. That said, I have to move my needle forward and not stay stuck in heavy grief.
I am laying out the answers to the four questions you posed at the end, Kate. I already have a jumpstart and finished a lot of the CCA and have my website 50 percent done. So I am now going to create my end goal and then backfill with what has to happen on a feasible, doable timeline to get there the earlier part of this year.
Thanks for always having our backs!
I am so sorry to hear about your loss, Carol, but appreciate you sharing this! Keep us posted on your progress–the FRW and CCA communities will certainly be cheering you on!