According to Paul B. Brown, contributor to Forbes magazine, successful people make (and keep) just one main new year’s resolution: they don’t complain. It’s not that they actually make a resolution saying “I will not whine in 2014,” it’s that they don’t need to make that resolution because it is already ingrained in them. Successful people share many traits — self-motivated, hardworking, welcome change, to name a few — and this leads them to opportunity. Opportunity is what New Year’s resolutions are all about, right? 2014 is here, and one of the ways you can make it better is to start it out with less clutter in your business and life. That means physical clutter, but there’s mental and emotional clutter you can let go of, too. De-clutter, don’t whine about it, and you’ll find you’re on your way to a successful 2014.
Physical Clean Up Can Improve Your Space
Anything you don’t need and aren’t using should be donated or thrown out, and unfinished projects should be attended to. You can donate anything useable you no longer need to Goodwill or another charity. Make sure you get receipts, since your donation may be tax deductible. Don’t put it off. You’ll feel better and your business will operate more smoothly when you’re done.
Clear Out and Remodel
When you change your space, it can really change how you feel about yourself and the things you do every day. Your senses are a very important part of you when it comes to lowering stress, so you want to be in a place that appeals to those senses.
Now that it’s cold outside, it’s a great time to stay inside and do all those things you haven’t gotten around to. There may be carpet you can’t stand or bathroom fixtures that drip. Maybe your cabinets need to be upgraded. Winter is still in full force and it is the perfect time to have a dumpster delivered right to your door for all the new year remodeling you’re planning. They can deliver a roll-off bin so you can easily clean up debris and have them haul it away.
For outdoor DIY projects, keep it simple and safe. Rent a scissor lift to do roof repairs or trim unruly winter trees. Clean out and organize your garage or do some landscaping maintenance when the weather starts to warm up.
Don’t Forget Your Finances
Physical clutter isn’t the only thing that might be holding you back and keeping you from meeting your goals in the new year. If you wasted money last year, it’s time to find out where and make changes, so it doesn’t happen again this year. Sites like Mint or BudgetTracker can help you plan your expenses and budget your money, so you can see where every dollar is going. There’s also an expense tracker app on iTunes. No matter what kind of business you have or how much you’re away from your desk or office, there are great resources you can use in order to make sure you’re not overspending.
Relationships Matter in the Business World
If you have any baggage left over from 2013, don’t carry it around with you in 2014. There are better things to do with your time. If you’re upset with anyone — or you think they’re upset with you — make sure you clear the air with them. Forgive anything you can’t change, so you can move forward. Forgiveness isn’t only about the other person, It’s about letting go of things so you can move on.
Also, surround yourself with people you like and feel comfortable with. Choosing like-minded individuals to spend time with can go a very long way toward your personal happiness, and can make achieving your goals easier. According to Lauren Simonds, who writes for Time’s Business & Money section, relationships with customers are the backbone of a prosperous, growing business. Relationships with other employees, vendors and even competitors also have value and should be cultivated wisely.
