Setting Goals for 2011: 2010 Habits to Keep or Leave Behind

Can you believe that 2011 is less than a month away? For many of us, December is a time of goal-setting, resolution writing and figuring out how to make next year better than the last. This December, I encourage you to examine your small business habits. This piece is often overlooked as we enter a new year. We'll set sales goals, marketing goals and even personal weight loss goals, but we won't take a hard look at the business habits we need to kick before the new year rolls around. I encourage you to do that right now.

Here's an exercise. Grab a piece of paper and a pen. On the left, make a column called "Keep." This is where we'll write down the habits we want to carry forward into 2011. Is there something that worked extremely well for your business? Write it there. Remember that we're writing about behaviors, not specific marketing or distribution tactics. On the right, title the column "Leave Behind." Every habit that held back our business in 2010 goes there. I've included some examples from my own list to get you started.

Grow Calendar 2011

Keep:

- Delegation and letting go. In 2010, I finally came to the realization that I am not Superwoman. I don't even own a pair of red knee boots. Rather than believing I could handle every aspect of my business solo, I reached out to subcontractors, assistants and interns. It was one of the best decisions I made. Now, my time is freed up to focus on the aspects of the business I want to grow: coaching and empowering small business owners to take control of their marketing. If you find yourself overloaded with parts of your business, make 2011 the year you reach out for help.

- Networking (online and offline). I've met so many wonderful people in 2010. Some came through an in-person networking event, others came from personal referrals and still others came via my social media profiles. I'll be partnering with these new friends on workshops, eBooks, and webinars in 2011, and it all started with one of us saying, "Hello." If you've been stuck behind your computer screen in 2010, I encourage you to throw on some business casual attire and head outside in 2011. On the other hand, if you're a social butterfly in person, consider being just as social online by setting up a Facebook profile or similar account.

- Taking action. The one thing I did this year that had the most results was take action. I'm a planner by nature and can craft strategies all day. However, I realize that strategy alone won't advance a business. We have to understand that our final execution is the only thing our customers will see. All the planning in the world won't help if you never release the book, launch the web site or distribute the product. Make 2011 your year of action.

Leave Behind:

If you find yourself doing any of these things, don't bring them into 2011. They are not serving your or your business.

- Self-doubt and perfectionism. You don't have to be perfect to start a business or to be successful. Make 2011 the year you build your confidence and let go of trying to be perfect.

- Workaholism. Taking action on your business is important, but you won't be around to enjoy it if you run your body into the ground. Leave behind the urge to work 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.

- Disorganization. With all the electronic gadgets available, there is no longer an excuse to be disorganized. If you are still a fan of paper and a pen, day planners are also still on the market. Make time to keep your business organized, or reach out to someone who specializes in keeping businesses on track.

Now that your list has been created, post it up somewhere you will see it everyday: next to your vision board, in your office, or on the refrigerator. It will serve as a daily reminder of what you need to be working on for 2011 and what you need to leave in 2010. I'd love to hear what you put on your "Keep / Leave Behind" list. Please share your thoughts in the comments.

Setting Goals for 2011: 2010 Habits to Keep or Leave Behind

Grow Calendar 2011

A List of Basic Hand Tools For Setting Up Shop

Below I recommend several brands of tools. These are tools I own and have a lot of experience with or have used in the past and like. This doesn't mean that these brands are the only ones out there or are even the best. Ask around and find out what other people like and use. Ultimately you have to make your own decision on which tools are best for you and how you work.

Woodworking covers so many facets that it's difficult to come up with a tool list that covers the needs of every woodworker. Many tools are used for a very specific task, while others are more general tools that you find yourself using for most projects. The latter is what I'll concentrate on in this article. Just keep in mind that if you want to learn how to make guitars (a Luther), or build a canoe, etc...there will definitely be tools that you will need that won't be on this list. This is just to get you started. I've been working wood for over 10 years and trust me there are still many tools I would love to have. But just like I did you start with the basics and buy other tools as you find a need for them.

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Hand Tools

Machine tools: screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, set to wrenches, pliers, crescent wrench. These are things that most already have around the house, but it definitely doesn't hurt to have a set of these tools that are dedicated just to your shop so you don't have to hunt all over the house when you need a Phillips screwdriver. These can all be picked up at your local hardware store.

Set of bench chisels: 1/4" to 1". I've used a set of Marples chisels for years. Irwin has bought them so they may show up under their name now. The full set costs around .00 Cheaper chisels just won't hold an edge (meaning they dull too easily). The Marple chisels hold an edge OK. Home Depot and Lowes used to carry them but they're not showing up on their websites now. Amazon.com has them for

Handplanes: A jack plane (sometimes referred to as a No. 5) and a low angle block plane. The jack plane gets it's name from being the "jack of all trades". It's a medium size plane and can be used for many tasks. I recommend buying a used one, specifically an old Stanley No. 5. Look at flea markets and garage sells or try eBay (this is where I got mine years ago). A block plane will be one of the most used tools in your shop, so buy a good one. If you can afford it Lie-Nielsen.com or Lee Valley.com both have excellent low angle blocks from to 9 A cheaper alternative would be a Stanley 60 1/2 low angle block for around .

Handsaws: panel, or Japanese Ryoba and Dozuki. Western saws cut on the push stroke; Japanese saws cut on the pull stroke. My advice is to try out both and see which you like better. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Personally, I like the Japanese saws for most jobs, but I still like a western type saw for cutting dovetails. Lowes and Home Depot both carry Japanese saws. Another good place to look is Japanwoodworker.com

Layout tools:tape measure, small and large size try squares, marking gauge, pencil compass, 6" and 12" rulers, bevel gauge, combination square.

Hammer: 16oz standard and a wooden or dead-blowstyle mallet for working with chisels and other tools.

Card scraper: an inexpensive tool that is indispensable in the shop (especially if you dislike sanding). These tools can take extremely thin shavings of wood and leave a very smooth surface. They can be tricky to sharpen though. We'll cover scrapers more in depth in a future article.

Rasps: a coarse and fine cabinetmaker's style. These are used to shape wood especially table legs.

There's my list of basic hand tools to get you started. Some, you will need from the very beginning. Some you can wait on. My advice is to figure out what you want to make with your woodworking and then start building. You'll figure out quickly the tools you really need and the ones you can wait to get.

A List of Basic Hand Tools For Setting Up Shop

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