Turning Resolutions into Reality

As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past year and planning for the year to come. I’m deeply grateful for the journey so far—all the highs and lows—and for everyone who has pushed me both professionally and personally. If you’re reading this, I want to begin by saying thank you.

Every December, like many of you, I draft my New Year’s goals. And I’ll admit, I’ve often struggled to complete them all. This year, I’ve been reflecting on why that is. What can I do differently next year to change that? For the goals I have achieved, I’ve asked myself: what did I do differently? What pushed me to success? That’s what I want to share here—a couple of ideas that have helped me turn my New Year's Resolutions into reality.

One idea I’ve found incredibly helpful is to actually write the goal down. It may sound simple—even trivial—but trust me, it works. Write it down with an old-fashioned pen and paper, and place it somewhere you see every day. This visible reminder holds you accountable and encourages you to prioritize your daily tasks around moving closer to your goal. And don’t just take it from me: a study by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, showed that writing down your goals makes you 42% more likely to achieve them.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, let’s talk about KPIs—Key Performance Indicators. Think of KPIs as your scorecard. For example, if your goal is to read more books, your KPI might be “Books Read Per Month.” However, I’ve found that crafting meaningful KPIs can be challenging, especially for business goals. Even with a business background, I’ve found it difficult developing KPIs that are both informative and impactful. Sure, “dollars/month” is a good start, but it only get you so far. Every business wants to make more money. Every business wants to impact more people. The real question is: how do you develop KPIs that truly drive success and keep you energized day in and day out? Let me attempt to explain.

There's a great book called Good to Great by Jim Collins. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. His team did an excellent job analyzing why some companies thrive compared to their peers—even during market recessions. The book covers everything from leadership to strategy, offering practical business insights applicable to organizations of all sizes. One concept that stood out to me is the “Hedgehog Concept,” which has helped me both refine both my goals and draft meaningful KPIs. The Hedgehog Concept has three components:

1. Understand your passion.

2. Identify the common denominator driving your economic engine.

3. Recognize what you can be the best in the world at.

Let’s break these down.

1. Understand your passion.

What activities make you lose track of time? What naturally lifts your spirits? If you’re a coffee drinker like me, try this experiment: go a day or a week without coffee. If certain tasks feel significantly harder, you’ve gained insight into what does not ignite your passion. Often, the process of elimination is your best friend.

2. Identify your economic engine.

In my business, two strategies have been particularly effective. First, offer discounts in exchange for feedback. Ask clients what they’d pay more for, what didn’t resonate with them, or what they didn’t even notice. Creating a constant line of communication helps you focus on what truly matters and what drives your bottom line. Second, collect as much data as you can afford. From sales to website clicks, data helps you make informed decisions about where your time and money is best spent. If you’re unsure where to start, consult your local business librarian. It’s a free resource that offers both industry and competitor insights. As the saying goes, "having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card."

3. Be the best in the world

Every business can excel at something. You don’t have to be Amazon or Apple to be the best. Think about the businesses you buy from on a regular basis. Why do you choose them over competitors? Simply, having a great product doesn't necessarily equate to being the best. One common answer I hear to this question is "well, I'm small, how can I be the best?" "I don't have the marketing budget or the sales team to compete." Being small can be your biggest asset. You can make decisions without having to consult a board of advisors. You don't have all the yellow and red tape. As a small business owner, you have the opportunity to get to know your team on a much more intimate level or pursue projects that are often times overlooked by the biggest of companies.

A Final Tip

As you set your New Year’s goals and KPIs for 2025, commit to them for at least 60 days. Reflect after 30 days on what’s working and what needs adjustment. Research suggests that 60 days is the sweet spot for forming new habits. In my experience, it also provides enough time to pivot without getting stuck. Here’s to a successful and fulfilling 2025!