Twitter sent me a “Happy New Year” message the other day. In it they described their New Year’s resolution, which is to help me (and all the other 200 million — and rising — accounts) get the most of out of Twitter in 2011. So I reckon if Twitter can be late with their New Year’s resolutions, I can too.
I’ve had a busy January and ideas for business-related resolutions have been percolating around in my head without ever making on to the Definitive List. On the way to the gym, in the bath, on the train — plenty of ideas but so far not committed to paper (or to the computer screen). But here they are now. Some for me to start with, then in the next couple of posts some for my clients (please, clients, read and act on them!) and a couple of suggestions for other business owners — especially, but not only, translators and editors.
Resolution 1
Raise my fees. Inflation is rising in the UK and the VAT rate has gone up from 17.5% to 20%. That means prices and business costs will rise. So will my fees. In fact, they already have.
Resolution 2
Make better use of of my time by making better use of productivity software.
Resolution 3
Spring-clean my beautiful Mac and keep it running at peak performance. I’ll start with Maria Langer’s advice in her Peachpit Press article on What to Do When Your Mac’s Hard Disk Runs Out of Space. Mine hasn’t — quite — but it’s getting there.
Resolution 4
Deal with obnoxious tax and admin issues as and when they arise. Get on top of the filing. Find an admin assistant, but not a virtual one. Someone like the wonderful Louise (Jennifer Hudson) in the Sex and the City film so that I never have to think about these things again. Ever.
Resolution 5
Learn something new. A new language? Singing? Car maintenance? I don’t know, but something.
What about you? Did you make resolutions this year? Have you stuck to them so far? Or don’t you believe in them…
By Marian Dougan
3 Responses
Thanks for the plug!
All great resolutions. I especially like the last one. Some years ago, I created a list of things I wanted to learn in my lifetime. I achieved two of them (learning to ride a motorcycle and learning to fly a helicopter) and now need to work on the other three (learn to speak Spanish, play piano, and juggle). What’s the point of life without achievable goals?
Good luck to you!
You’re welcome, Maria – your article contained some great tips! Well done on achieving your first two goals, and good luck with the Spanish, piano and juggling. The sound like fun!
Wow! That’s exciting – good luck! What languages? Keep us posted on developments.