Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Chances are, you have. We all have. Now, on to the follow-up question – were you successful in keeping it? Chances are, you weren’t. There’s not a lot of scientific data to draw upon, however, there was an intriguing study conducted back in 2016. It revealed that roughly 40% – almost one in two – make a resolution. But only 9% – almost one in 10 – ever succeed in keeping one. Almost 70% of those who failed to keep their resolutions offered these two reasons: 1) they had set unrealistic goals, and 2) they didn’t keep track of their progress.
Where is this all leading? Simple. If you want to make 2023 a year of change to make your entrepreneurial dreams come true, then you need to get started now. Don’t wait until Dec. 31 to fall into the New Year’s resolution trap, where failures can be traced to two easily fixable problems. The time to get started is now – and here’s how to do it right.
Time to Get Real
If you’ve been harbouring thoughts about a career transition, or another route to establishing an entrepreneurial future, you do have the power to make it happen. If you’re ready to make a New Year’s resolution to explore an entrepreneurial future, here are four things you can do to make it stick:
Start Now – multiple studies have shown that readiness, preparation, and self-efficacy led to a higher probability of following through. And these characteristics will benefit you if you begin ahead of time (readiness), approach your quest in an organizational manner (preparation), and adopt a belief in your own abilities (self-efficacy)
State Your Goal – there’s a phenomenon known as the “question-behavior effect (QBE).” To put it to use in creating an entrepreneurial future, state, “I will become my own boss,” instead of “Will I become my own boss?” Try it and see!
Stay Balanced – don’t burn the candle on both ends, just because you have a goal in front of you and you’re finally getting serious. Multiple health studies have shown that getting the proper amount of rest and relaxation is every bit as important as having a strong drive to succeed. Don’t burn yourself out in the process.
Get SMART – this is an acronym for developing goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. If you desire to own a business of your own, how would you describe each one of these adjectives? Spend some time writing out your SMART goal and keep a copy handy at all times.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for (Free) Help
Pulling off an entrepreneurial future can be a complex process, with many moving parts. Not only should you solicit buy-in from your own family and support network, but it wouldn’t hurt to bring in a professional or two. And that’s where FranNet of Canada comes in. Our consultation services are always no-cost and no-obligation. We’re simply here to help you navigate your own personal journey to business ownership through franchising. What we do isn’t rocket science. We assess your strengths, goals, and lifestyle preferences – then find suitable matches among the many franchise concepts in the marketplace today. We help you review the business models, introduce you to the brand’s representatives, connect you with any legal or accounting assistance you might need, and guide you through the process from start to finish.
Knowing this, now how do you feel about affecting real change in 2023? If you’ve been inspired by what you’ve read, let us hear about it!
Let’s Chat!
2022 has begun to wind down to the finish line, so if you’re ready to begin your entrepreneurial journey before the year is out, FranNet of Canada can help you get started. With consultants serving every Canadian province, you can set up a no-cost, no-obligation appointment with one of our qualified representatives. To find your local province consultant, simply follow this link and select “Canada” on the FranNet Franchise Consultant Directory page of our website. Getting started is easy – you can take our FranNet Ownership Quiz – or simply make an appointment to speak with one of our franchise experts today. And don’t forget to read our bi-monthly blog series, covering franchising issues for all Canadian entrepreneurs!