03/01/22 | Reset and Refresh for 2022
When you turn the calendar back and look at 2020, you’ll likely see all the big plans you made for the new decade. But when the pandemic emerged and continued into 2021, many event pros had to adapt and roll with the punches.
As time ticks on, it’s time to step out of survival mode and acknowledge that we may never get back to “the way things used to be.” Instead, we must be proactive, accept today’s reality, and remain open to setting new goals. It’s time for a reset and refresh!
Here’s how to take stock of your business and set goals that allow you to thrive and leave the baggage behind.
Getting Started
If you want to move forward strategically, it’s essential to look back – so long as you don’t get stuck there. Revisit 2021 and ask yourself:
- What wins came out of 2021 for me and my business?
- What were my most significant challenges?
- What did I learn from this past year, and how can I improve?
- What parts of 2021 do I want to take with me into 2022?
Think about the most successful events and what set them apart. There’s likely more good in 2021 than you realized! Then, consider how you can celebrate and replicate those wins, even if they look different than your pre-pandemic expectations. By looking back, you can reset and refresh without carrying any extra weight. Take the good and leave the bad behind!
Working With Your Team
While this exercise is about personal goals and outcomes, it’s essential to encourage your team to find time for their own reflections. Provide feedback on their progress, and be sure to compliment them on a job well done!
Discuss key challenges, opportunities, and learning lessons to identify what they enjoyed working on and how you can help position them for success in the coming year. To move forward together, everyone must be on the same page. Make it your goal to ensure team responsibilities are clear while promoting collaboration to enhance morale and efficiency.
Thinking Big
Pre-pandemic, your goals may have looked something like this:
- Hit seven-figures in your business
- Become a national speaker
- Write a best-selling novel
But during the pandemic, our goals got smaller and smaller as we told ourselves, “I just need to get through this year!”
You must acknowledge any small thinking if you want to start on a fresh note. It’s time to leave it all behind! Goals that fill you with passion and enthusiasm drive you forward, so consider how you can reach those loftier ambitions!
Holding Yourself Accountable
Though a reset and refresh might have you feeling invigorated at the moment, it’s natural for motivation to slip over time. You’re human! The best way to stay focused and meet your new goals? Establish concrete boundaries.
Make it clear when you’re available to clients and when you’re taking time for yourself. If your goal is to write that best-selling novel, block out time in your calendar to write the first chapter! Be firm in the boundaries you set — no more pushing your desires to the side. It’s time to focus on your needs, not just those of your clients.
Checking Back In
It’s possible you set an intention in March that no longer works for you in May. Revisit your goals regularly to see how you’ve progressed. It’s okay to change your mind – it’s not okay to give up! Set an intention to sit down each month to reflect on what worked and what didn’t. If this is too much for your schedule, aim for at least once a quarter.
Consider where you’re investing your time and money and whether these investments are paying off. A few questions to ask yourself:
- What needs updating?
- What can I reschedule?
- What can I think about differently?
- What do I need to prioritize?
Not everything can steal the spot at the top of your to-do list, so check in with yourself and your business to adapt accordingly.
Remember: “We repeat what we don’t repair.”
If you have habits that need breaking (ahem, checking your email after a specific time, sacrificing sleep for work, or saying yes to all the things), your reset and refresh is the perfect time to address them. Otherwise, you will continue to repeat them and eventually find yourself in the throes of burnout. By updating your processes and setting realistic goals, you’ll be in a better position when life throws a new curveball your way!