My 2023 Freelance Business Goals
Mostly here to remind myself, but maybe you’ll benefit from these ideas!
Do you create a word or phrase for the year?
It may be a one-word statement, like Flourish. Or perhaps it’s a favorite quote that motivates you to reach higher each day.
For my freelance business and personal development this year, I’ve chosen the phrase:
Better. Not Bigger.
Let me explain why.
The Solopreneur Balance
I’m a solopreneur — I work alone to achieve my goals without the help of other people or services. This means I must be mindful of how I use my time, resources, and energy to get the most out of what I do.
When you look out on the landscape of businesses and entrepreneurs, it’s tempting to jump on the “bigger is better” bandwagon.
Add employees, expand services, increase revenue — all things that appear to be the right answer when it comes to success.
And while growth can be a good thing, I’ve realized that there is such a thing as too much of it.
If you start to expand faster than you can handle, you may be spread too thin and unable to keep up with demand.
So I’ve decided that I will focus on these goals this year:
1. Streamlining operations for maximum efficiency
When I look for ways to grow my business, I will be sure to consider how each change affects the overall efficiency of operations. This can mean anything from using automation to cutting back on tasks or distractions that suck my energy away rather than adding to it.
2. Building relationships with customers and vendors
I want to ensure that I’m building relationships with current and potential customers and vendors so that we can work together in a mutually beneficial way. When I spread myself too thin, investing in my relationships and finding ways to add value is hard.
3. Investing in quality over quantity
As a freelance writer, I create A LOT of content. But I’m learning to focus on creating quality, valuable pieces that will add value for my readers and ultimately help me grow as a writer.
4. Create healthy boundaries for daily routines
Sometimes it’s hard to draw the line between work and home life. I’m learning to recognize when I am reaching my limits and when to take a break. Clients will be there when you return, especially if you provide quality work.
5. Developing a long-term strategy for growth while staying true to my mission and values
I’ll develop a long-term growth strategy that aligns with my overall mission and values. This will help ensure that any changes or expansions are consistent with the goals of my business and sustainable in the long term.
But What About The KPIs?
These five goals are my high-level approaches to growth, but I’ll be sure to set KPIs for each goal to keep track of progress.
Setting tangible goals and measuring them will help me stay on top of any changes or expansions I make this year so my business can grow sustainably.
For example, I might set a KPI to increase customer loyalty by 10% over the course of this year. Or I may reduce my weekly working hours by 2–4 hours to give me more time for rest and relaxation.
TLDR:
Taking a more deliberate approach to growth means being able to focus on the things that truly matter — like creating a meaningful product or service, building relationships with clients and customers, and making sure I’m taking care of myself too.
So while you don’t have to come up with your phrase for the year, it can be a helpful tool to keep yourself in check and stay focused on the big picture.
What will be your phrase for the year?
Good luck and have a great 2023! 🎉🎊✨😃👍🏼
