Creating New Years Resolutions...or Not

I generally don't believe in New Years Resolutions.  They always seem trite, or mundane, or just downright unattainable. Why should the new year bring on the this renewed sense of determination?  Perhaps most people are slacking during the holiday on all accounts.  Whether it be work, their diet, or their spending habits - maybe December just drains of us of all normal regulation and regimentation. 

I actually had my renewal in December.  Mid-month I moved into my new home office, decorated as I pleased, and re-arranged my living and business situation into something I was finally comfortable with.  This new space allowed me to re-organize, re-charge and prepare for the New Year.  Rather than waiting until January 1st to commit to new goals, I went full throttle during the busy holiday season to actually take a breath and focus on me.  Generally, I'm hustling, networking and working non-stop.  The little time I have to work on finances, or banking, or legalities are managed in the wee hours of the morning when I'm unfocused and running on Starbucks. 

So for two weeks - I stopped. No more meetings with nubile entrepreneurs, no more networking and certainly no more late nights.  I cleared my calendar for some "me time" and worked at my leisure, ate healthier, went to bed earlier, and felt more accomplished at the end of the day.  Come January, I know my workload is going to take a turn for the worse.  At my FT job, I have major reports to get done in 10 days and then I'm off to Paris for 2 1/2 weeks for market. (#whitegirlproblems I know...but trust me, I'll be working in Paris...not just eating crepes!)

I have this "feeling in my bones" (as my father would say) that 2012 is going to bring big changes in my life.  2011 was QUITE a year of change for the better, personally and professionally.  Yet, Something Borrowed is approaching it's 6 month anniversary and I cannot believe the progress we've made in such little time.  In 6 more months, or even a year's time, I know that we will be bigger, stronger, and more successful than we ever initially imagined. So sans "resolutions", we're heading into 2012.  However,  I do have goals:

-  Increase sales by 100%.
-  Find a technical co-founder or add a member to our team
-  Create exclusivity to our brand by creating a members-only site
-  Create more partnerships with other bridal businesses
-  Have our first sample sale to clear through old inventory in order to keep our assortment fresh
-   Join an Incubator

No matter what your goals are for this year, be sure to take some "me time" to take a breath.  So often we forget to do that, and it's essential for re-charging your mind.  I encourage you all to not wait until January 1st to do so (though we have few days left...) but each month - maybe remember that you don't have to wait 12 months to "start over".  Every day brings a new opportunity for change.

Have a safe, happy, and successful new year!

-Brittany Haas