6 Purges Every Entrepreneur Should Make This New Year

You might say that this is just another way to look at a
resolution. Maybe -- but I see the difference in that this
strategy requires one to admit first that they have faults
that need purging, like the first step of the 12-step
treatment for addicts. It requires true reflection upon
yourself, not resolving simply to learn guitar, eat healthy
or train for a half-marathon.
Related: One Way to Beat Bad Online Habits and Be
More Productive
Below is my list of purges for 2015. I know I am not
alone in many of these reflections, so feel free to adopt
a few or all for yourself.
1. Excuses
It is simple to make a list of goals you want to
accomplish in the new year, but it is infinitely easier to
find reasons why you will not achieve them. Lack of
time, money or energy for new endeavors is nothing new
to anyone. The most successful entrepreneurs have the
same problems, but the difference between them and
everyone else is that they look beyond excuses and find
resources to fulfill their dreams.
2. Smartphone usage
Smart devices may be one of the most important
inventions in human history, but they have certainly done
little toward eliminating adult attention deficit disorder
(AADD). News feeds, social-network updates, college
football scores and countless entertainment apps
(Scramble anyone?) consume a surprising amount of our
precious spare time. Learn to put that device down once
in a while and focus your energy on tasks meant to
achieve your goals.
3. Shortcuts
Cutting corners and taking shortcuts can help you get
things done, but too often one shortcut leads to another,
and the next thing you know you are deep into a pattern
that ultimately requires more time to fix. Taking
shortcuts professionally will lead to embarrassing
performance. Taking shortcuts personally will lead to
strained relationships and compromised health. Eliminate
the inclination to take shortcuts and understand that
focus, hard work and dedication are the only things that
lead to success.
Related: 5 Unhealthy Workplace Habits to Break in
2015
4. Frustration
Even with the economy booming, entrepreneurs have
plenty of distractions about which to get stressed.
Unfortunately, stress and frustration only make these
situations worse. It all puts strain on your colleagues,
your personal relationships and most important, your
health. It will drain you of the energy you need to focus
on your goals. Find outlets for your stress and focus
your energy on staying positive.
5. Blame
Entrepreneurs are by nature at the top of the totem pole.
Any failing in the business, regardless of circumstance,
is ultimately the responsibility of the business owner.
Period. Resolve to take responsibility for your actions
and those of your business. Doing so will help you
instead turn your attention to what is really needed:
finding solutions.
6. Clutter
I am a fairly organized guy. At the end of the day, I like
my desk and email inbox clean. Unfortunately, I still
have hoarding habits, keeping everything from receipts
to files to emails for years on end. This new year, I
decided to eliminate or archive anything that I have not
read, worn or used since 2013. This includes everything
from email to clothes to files (anything I was required to
keep was scanned and stored in the cloud ). The purge
was amazingly refreshing, and it not only cleared out my
closet and computer, it cleared out my anxiety.
If you can relate to any of these necessary purges, then
kudos for recognizing that you, like me, are guilty of
them. That is half the battle to setting a better course.
Once you understand the habits that are holding you
back from your goals, you can make
meaningful resolutions that you stand a much better
chance of achieving.
And for what it is worth, I do have a couple of
resolutions for 2015: Learn to code and training for a
half-marathon. Why only a "half" marathon? Baby steps.