Psychologists have studied the success rate of New Year’s resolutions, and the results aren’t great; about 80% of people fail their resolutions by the middle of February.
Those of us in publishing—and those like you who support publishers through advertising and sponsorships—know that January isn’t actually the first of the year. Our resolutions start well before January. We’ve been planning, strategizing and creating for 2022 since the middle of 2021. Now that the calendar has actually flipped, we’re already looking ahead to the second quarter and beyond.
But it’s worth it to indulge in the fresh perspective of a new year and reconnect with the goals and initiatives you planned months ago. To help you achieve your 2022 goals and not be part of the 80%, review the checklist below.
Align your initiatives with your mission.
When you’re taking stock of the new programs you have planned for this year, reconfirm that they check off the priorities for your mission or company values. If there are some tasks or projects that aren’t an obvious fit, consider pausing the development to reassess how it impacts your key stakeholders and ensure it is focused on moving your business forward. It’s OK to take it slow or reevaluate a program or service to be sure it’s in the best interests of your business and your customers.
Make smart investments.
Whether your commitment this year is to reinvest in your people, the business or both, be sure the strategies you employ will deliver. If you’re looking for a new marketing opportunity, Hardware Retailing’s print magazine reaches more 34,000 independent home improvement retailers every month. And, each person who reads the magazine passes it on to at least two other people in their operation. With that kind of consistency and reach, taking the next step to find a program that works for your business is a smart move.
Let go of projects that aren’t working.
When it comes down to it, one main reason resolutions don’t pan out is because the goals or expectations weren’t realistic. If you find yourself in a situation when you can’t see the finish line and the return on investment (ROI) isn’t what you initially projected, it’s OK to call it. Taking the L doesn’t mean you did a lot of work for nothing, though. There are probably elements of the project that still offer value, and maybe it can be reimagined into something new.
