New year, new me... just kidding! 5 micro changes to make in your business this year

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions anymore. Yeah, I said it.

Why? Because they always feel temporary, like that gym membership we’ve all started once and only used for three weeks in January.

I’m not saying I’ve never had a successful New Year's resolution…

Over 15 years ago I gave up pork… and still don’t eat it (believe it or not, I don’t miss bacon). 

A couple years later, I gave up drinking pop and still don’t. 

So they definitely are possible… 

BUT, from experience, I’ve found that small yet consistent changes throughout the year work better for me. No grand declarations, just little tweaks that make my life run smoother. 

The best part? No sense of disappointment (and way less commitment!)

The same thing applies to business owners. 

If you’re a business owner looking to kick off 2025 on the right foot, skip lofty resolutions and try these 5 micro changes instead:

1. Prioritize self-care

You know that saying, put on your own mask before helping others? 

Running a business can be all-consuming, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re not at your best, neither is your business.

Whether it’s regular exercise, meditation, or simply taking breaks throughout the day, it all keeps you energized and focused. 

Quick win: Schedule non-negotiable self-care time, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day. Block it out in your calendar if you have to, but trust me when I tell you that your future self will thank you. Plus, no one regrets a massage. 

2. Set boundaries (and stick to them)

Boundaries aren’t just for your personal life; they’re critical in the working world too. 

Stop answering emails at midnight or letting clients call you on weekends unless it’s a true emergency. No one is saving lives here.

Setting clear expectations for your time and availability keeps you sane and your business running smoothly.

Quick win: Add office hours to your email signature so your clients start to learn what your working hours are. 

Bonus tip: If you do happen to look at emails after working hours, use “schedule send” so that you’re only sending emails during work hours. It’s important to stick to your own boundaries - if you don’t respect them, others won’t either. 

3. Stay on top of your finances

Consistently managing your finances prevents small issues from becoming big problems.

The big one here is your books. Keeping track of your finances regularly is like cleaning out the fridge before something starts to smell.

Reconcile your accounts monthly, review your expenses, and make sure your cash flow is on point. Don’t delay sending that invoice either. You’ll thank yourself come tax time.

Quick win: Set a recurring calendar reminder for a “money date” with yourself at the end of each month. Grab a coffee, review your finances, and celebrate those balanced books. You could light some candles, but I will leave that up to you. 

4. Audit your expenses

Clear out what isn’t serving your business and free up resources for growth.

The new year is the perfect time to slim down and scale up. Are you still paying for subscriptions or tools you no longer use? Those free trials that you signed up for and forgot about?

Trimming the fat can free up resources for more important investments.

BUT! Don’t just focus on slimming down operations. Whether it’s upgrading software, investing in marketing, or enhancing team tools, smart spending can be just as impactful as saving.

Quick win: Schedule a quarterly financial audit. Review your expenses and cancel anything that isn’t adding value. Look for opportunities to reinvest in areas that bring the most value to your business. 

Bonus tip: During your audit, consider whether any subscriptions or tools can be bundled for savings. You might be surprised at how much you can streamline!

5. Delegate like a pro

Freeing up your time allows you to focus on what truly matters.

Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you value your time and want your business to grow.

Whether it’s hiring a virtual assistant or outsourcing social media, get things off your plate so you can focus on what you do best.

Quick win: Make a list of tasks you dread or that eat up too much time. Start delegating them one at a time.

Bonus tip: Record yourself doing the task with Loom, Zoom or something else. Talk out loud. Next time you have to do that task, you can now share the video to get it off your plate easily.

Resolutions might fizzle out by February, but these micro changes can stick with you all year long and can be implemented at any time! 

So, here’s to 2025 - the year of big progress and small wins.