Pause and Reflect: Journal Prompts for Business Development in 2023

As a business owner, it is easy to focus on growing your business full steam ahead, especially with a new year fast approaching.  You want to be prepared and you want to be ready for whatever challenges and obstacles get thrown your way.  But sometimes, in your mission to grow and develop your business, some details may get missed and waylaid, especially at the tail end of the year with the holidays in full swing.

Now IS the perfect time to pause and reflect and really dig deep into an entrepreneurial mindset.  One of the ways you can do this is jotting your thoughts down in a journal.  Journalling, especially for your business, allows your brain to let all those ideas and thoughts out.  After all, there’s only so much space your brain has before it starts feeling overwhelmed.  Getting your thoughts and ideas onto paper captures them.  Once you’ve written it down, you can go back and revisit.  You also make more room for ideas.  However, journaling everyday can be a tad bit too much.  Plan on writing at least three to four times a week for optimal results and to refrain from the burn out of journaling.

Apart from setting your ideas free, business journaling increases productivity, creates a record, and connects the dots to other ideas.  When you see things written on paper (or smart device), you are more likely to pay attention to the details leading to the bigger picture.  It’ll be easier to visualize and map out the current state of your business and where you want your business to be.

Get your pen and paper ready as we dive into some journal prompts to help you develop your business in 2023.

Let’s look back on 2022.  These prompts will help you evaluate your business’ performance: the successes, the challenges, and the lessons learned.

• What accomplishments are you most proud of this year?  What made them memorable?
• What challenges did you encounter and how were you able to overcome them?  What lessons did you learn from them?
• What was something you did this year that you will remember for the rest of your life? Why?
• What was something you almost gave up on but were happy that you stuck with?  Describe what happened.
• Was there something you wish you did differently this year?  If so, what was it?
• What milestones did you reach this year?

Another focus for your business development is the people who impacted your business this year. Journalling is also about acknowledging the people who made a difference in your business.  A mindset of gratitude reminds you that you are not alone in your pursuit for success.  You have a community who will always be there for you.

• Name three people who made the most impact on your business this year.  What did they do and how did you recognize their efforts?
• What collaborations stand out for you this year?  Who were they with and what did it accomplish?
• Name a person or people who went above and beyond.  What did they do and how did they affect your business?
• Who is your biggest cheerleader?  What is your relationship with this person?  How do you plan to maintain and strengthen your relationship with them?
• What are you most grateful for this year?

Recognizing and identifying your shortcomings and areas of development helps you gain perspective on what needs to be worked on.  It allows you to think of solutions and create opportunities to think outside of the box. 

• What is hindering you from bringing your vision to life right now?
• List three tasks that you’ve been avoiding.  Why have you been avoiding them?
• Write about five challenges you are facing as an entrepreneur. Write a game plan on how to overcome each of them.
• What are some failures you faced last year and how did you handle them?
• What is the best and worst thing if your business does not thrive?

Another benefit of journaling is goal setting.  Visualizing and putting your goals on paper creates a sense of commitment and attainability.  These prompts can help you focus on where you want to be in 2023.

• What are your goals for next year?  Do they reflect the mission/vision you set out with originally?
• Name five short term goals with deadlines.  How do you plan on reaching them?
• Give three goals you want to accomplish by next year.  Set deadlines and create an outline on how you want to tackle these goals.
• Create a wish list of things that will help you work smarter and not harder.  How do you plan to turn this list into a reality?
• If you had unlimited resources, where do you see your business next year?
• What are your business priorities for the upcoming months?  Write one goal you want to accomplish for each of the 12 months.
• This time next year…

Finally, as a business owner, you need to also take care of yourself.  As much as your life revolves around the business, you work to live and not live to work.  These prompts can help you determine where your mindset is as an entrepreneur and if you need to change things so that you can focus on growing your business.

• Why did you start your business in the first place?
• How and where do you spend your energy as an entrepreneur?
• List five challenges that you are facing as an entrepreneur and how does this affect your personal life. 
• What changes do you need to make to better manage your work-life balance?  Break it down week by week and tackle one change at a time.
• Name three people you look up to and why do you look up to them?
• What is your WHY?  What keeps you going?

Taking the time to pause and reflect about 2022 will help you face 2023 with renewed energy and a different perspective.  The new year always brings many opportunities to grow and develop.  In mapping out where you want you and your business to be through journaling, it makes it easier to envision where you are going.

If you need a fresh set of eyes, Cowe Communications is always here to help.  Visit our website at cowe.com.  Contact us for a free brand audit or consultation and we will help you get your business where you want it to go.  Best wishes in 2023!