New Year's Resolutions

by Tim Fulton

This is the time of year when we make New Year’s resolutions for ourselves. The most popular include weight loss, exercise, and being nicer to our in-laws. I first published this article almost 20 years ago, but it’s as relevant today as it was in 2006.

What about your business? Have you made any New Year’s resolutions for your business for 2025? If not, here is a list of ten that I suggest for any business, large or small. Feel free to pick any one or all of these resolutions for your business.

#1. Have a plan. Develop a “road map” for your journey into 2025. It doesn’t

have to be a full-scale business plan. TEC speaker Kraig Kramers suggests you start with a one-page business plan with your company mission, vision, goals, and strategies. The Wall Street Journal reported that a small business’s chances of success increase by 50% if that business has a business plan. You decide…

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BOOK OF THE MONTH

In 10X Is Easier Than 2X, Dan Sullivan, renowned coach to entrepreneurs, teams up with organizational psychologist Dr. Benjamin Hardy to challenge conventional growth strategies. This isn’t your typical business book about scaling—it’s a mindset shift that encourages you to rethink how you approach success, time, and effort.

The book's central idea is deceptively simple: Striking for 10X growth is actually easier and more fulfilling than working for a mere 2X improvement. Sullivan and Hardy argue that incremental growth keeps people stuck in old habits and systems, whereas aiming for exponential growth forces them to focus on their unique abilities and eliminate distractions.

Key insights include:



• Focus on Your Unique Genius: The 10X mindset requires identifying what you do best and delegating or eliminating tasks that don’t align with your strengths.
• Simplify to Multiply: Instead of adding complexity to grow, Sullivan and Hardy emphasize simplifying your approach by focusing on what truly matters.
• Transformational Thinking: The book explores how to align your vision and actions with your bigger future, shifting from scarcity to abundance.

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You can just purchase your copy of 10x is Easier Than 2x. This is a paid link.



SMALL BUSINESS MATTERS THE PODCAST

When he was just seven, Scott Pate took his first job in the family business for $0.12 cents an hour and would later become the first college graduate in his family. Continuing the legacy of three generations of entrepreneurs, Scott's 30-year career includes technical, operations, and corporate management in the oil exploration and environmental industries. In 1996, Scott founded Sierra Piedmont, an environmental engineering/consulting firm. Scott strives to find innovative ways to provide a superior client experience and develop long-term customer relationships.

In the first 2025 episode of the Small Business Matters Podcast, Scott joins Tim and Taylor to discuss the importance of the client experience and delivery speed to small business success. Scott shares his journey as a third-generation entrepreneur who began in the oil industry and ultimately founded a business in environmental engineering. Please tune in for insights on leadership, maintaining a healthy level of passion for your business, and how hiking The Camino de Santiago can change your business—and your life.

LISTEN HERE >

MASTERMIND GROUP

Hosted by former Vistage Chair and SBM President Tim Fulton, the SBM MasterMind Group enables small business executives to work virtually with growth-minded peers to hone their leadership skills and prioritize their most important weekly action items. The MasterMind Group offers each member the following:

• A weekly one-hour virtual group meeting
• Quarterly one-to-one individual coaching sessions
• An annual group retreat
• Ready access to a growth-minded peer group

All for the small investment of $295/month!

Mastermind group member Mary Ritz shares her experience...

To learn more or to join the SBM Mastermind Group,

contact tim@smallbusinessmattersonline.com

TIM'S BOOKS

Order The Meeting

Order Small Business Matters

Order Small Business Matters & All That Jazz

DID YOU KNOW?

When should you exercise?

In this brief video, best-selling author Daniel Pink explains why certain times of the day are better than others for exercise. Why is this important to small businesses? Very simple. Better exercise leads to better health and better health translates into better small business growth.