If you’re your own boss then this is the perfect time to reflect on what’s gone well, what’s been challenging and what needs addressing. The ability to step back, review is key to being an entrepreneur and is a key skill in making any journey successfully.

What’s more as the captain of the ship it’s your job to set the goals, chart the course and ensure your on course. You’ll need to steer the ship through choppy waters, keep your eye on the conditions and change course as necessary. And the nature of business is that there are almost always areas that need to be tweaked, changed, enhanced and improved.

  • So grab a pen and paper and let’s do a 5-10 minute business review.

1) What have been your successes and areas where you’ve made headway?

2) How can you continue to build on those successes?

3) What have been the challenges, setbacks and problem areas?

4) What have you learned from those challenges and what needs to be addressed?

5) Mindful of your answers to the above what should be your 2-3 priorities for 2014?

6) What help and support do you need to achieve the above a) from yourself/within the business 2) from others outside?

7) What mindset, behaviour and actions do you need to adopt to achieve the above?

Gently sit with these answers over the coming weeks and let them build the basis of your action plan for The New Year.  The chances are that it’s been a busy year so take time to relax, recharge and regroup over the Christmas holidays so that you’re focused and re-energised come January and ready to turn this information into a plan of action.

Rasheed Ogunlaru is a leading life coach, motivational speaker and author of Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business