What are you going to invest in yourself this year? Some of my clients are beginning to spend money on new technology and equipment for 2011. This is a good sign! Some of the investments include an overhaul of websites (redesigning them for a fresh new look; adding functionality), purchasing new computers, servers and other equipment, and investing in new software and employee training! How does this apply to you?
If you are a sole proprietor (solopreneur), then you are your own business! You must invest in yourself. What are you going to do to upgrade or improve your “systems” this year? Are you going to invest in your business by upgrading your equipment (buying a new computer)? How about updating your website? Are you going to invest in “employee” training by attending seminars?
With the explosion of tele-seminars (seminars led by a live person over a conference call), there is so much you can learn for little or no cost. Most of these “tele-seminars” are free; the hosts typically sell something at the end of the call, which you are under no obligation to buy. So get what you can from the free training; some of it is very good! Of course, there is no shortage of live seminars to attend either. If you subscribe to anybody’s e-zines you know you have plenty of live classes to choose from.
Different people learn differently, so give people information in a way that they can receive it. I have found that the online training works very well for the “under 40” crowd. Anyone older than that typically prefers live in-person classes or workshops. Some people are visual (they have to see it!), while others have to hear what you say. Some people are task-oriented, others are people-oriented. No matter how you learn, it is important that you constantly learn new things and apply them to your business.
One thing people who are wealthy have in common is that they invest in themselves first. They read constantly and invest in lifelong, continual learning*. Not only that, they apply that knowledge in their lives to keep from getting stagnant, and also in their businesses, which leads to innovation. If you read my blog post from January 8th titled “Innovation in Business” and/or my free report “The Top 10 Mistakes that New Entrepreneurs Make” on my website (www.fulltimewoman.com) then you know the importance of innovation!
So now I ask you:
What will you spend money on in the new year?
Have you seen any signs of an economic recovery in your geographic area? If so, what?
Are you working on anything innovating?
*Note: There are 3 habits that wealthy people do consistently in order to become wealthy. Lifelong learning is one of them. If you want to know the other two post a comment on my Facebook Fan Page (The Full-Time Woman’s Coach) and I will respond.
Great blog post. In regards to purchasing new equipment I spent the later part of 2010 considering upgrading my laptop (6yrs old as of this January), but I’m not going to. I weighed my reasons with the main reason because Win 8 is supposed to come out in 2012 also this laptop was upgraded last summer and works fantastic! So the money I’m saving by not purchasing a new laptop will go towards online seminars and more to continue my education in what I do for a living!
As for economic recovery, I haven’t seen much here many empty stores and none coming in.