HOW TO LEARN FROM YOUR BUSINESS IN 2020, TO MAKE 2021 A GREAT YEAR

New Year, 2021….I wonder what it has in store for us! I am so happy to be welcoming you back to the podcast today, the first podcast of the year – yep it’s 2021! Anyone else super glad to be closing the door on 2020? 

I just wanted to wish you a happy new year! Last year was tough, let’s face it, 2020 threw a massive curveball that no one anticipated. And it has effected a lot of people in so many ways. Any one else just cheers a glass to actually making it through to the end of the year? I was 100% one of them. But whilst in many ways I never wish 2020 happened and panned out the way it did – I am also taking a moment to understand the impact last year had on me and my business. This has been something I have really been mulling over the past week or so and I really wanted to share this with you today, how it is changing my mindset for this year ahead and how I am changing things up. 

But going into the new year, you can’t let what happened last year stop you from achieving and being the person you need to be this year. We can’t forget what happened, so whilst I am happy to firmly close the door on 2020, I encourage you to do a few things that will help you move past what happened, how to take control, and move forward today. I hope you love the episode, if you want to connect further, let’s chat over on Instagram where I am showing up sharing how I run my business behind the scenes! If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to email me at charlotte@charlottebryer-ash.com or leave a review!

In case you are new around here, I am a photographer – primarily shooting weddings and personal branding shoots for female entrepreneurs.

In this episode I chat about:

• Reflections

What has this past year taught you?

For me, it taught me that it is okay to vulnerable. That my business needs to be strong, and diversify. Where are there gaps in my business that need to be addressed, strengthened, be flawless. Just really take some time to think about your business where can you strengthen, make it better, more resilient, diversify, make it work better for you to be more profitable and successful! Not forgetting of course, to ensuring you are giving an amazing customer experience, providing an incredible end product or result. There are so many aspects you can consider, deep dive into, which we could chat about for hours. It could be that some have already come to light for you, but I would encourage you to take some time to really audit your business and identify where the gaps are, where you are at, what you need to change and/ or improve to future proof your business. Fingers crossed, things are moving in the right direction and improving, but making sure you are taking your business seriously, and take steps now to make improvements, to like I say future proof your business 

Contingencies, best practise and covering for eventualities, it will make you feel more in control and give you the best understanding of your business. Once you have done this and identified areas that need working on, then you can break them down into ones that are more urgent, break them down into each quarter of this year to focus on along side your big picture goals and plans. 

• What held you back last year? 

Outside of the pandemic and things outside of your control, consider what was holding you back last year. This is something I always ask myself every year, and something I also ask my clients on during coaching sessions What is holding them back from achieving their goals? 

 This might be a great time to grab a journal and a pen, maybe your favourite drink, put your phone away and dig deep. 

Ask yourself first, what is it you want? The thing you are dreaming of, or thinking is possible for you, or that you would love to do/have etc. 

Having been in business for almost 10 years, I hand on heart believe that mindset is one of the BIGGEST things you can work on to make an impact on your day to day, to be able to reach your goals and dreams.

What held you back from doing what you wanted to do? I can guarantee you that it won’t just be because of the pandemic, if at all, there is always a reason, an excuse a story we are telling ourselves that is standing in our way. And that excuse, usually, is something that we have created to keep us in our comfort zone and not pushing past that. Really think, what are you telling yourself as the reason why you can’t do it? 

Now a lot of the time this comes down to imposter syndrome, lack of confidence and self belief, lack of resources, but in the words of Marie Forleo, everything is figureoutable! You can achieve anything you set your mind too, I believe in you, just you need to believe in yourself.

• What is it you really wanting to achieve? 

A lot of this is around mindset – you aren’t on your own, every business owner gos through this. 

• Could I have done anything differently?

This can be a big one to reflect on and can really impact how you turn this year around and take you business to the next level. And looked at in the right way – not a negative, putting yourself down way, can positively impact your goals and mindset for this year.