At Fierce Decorum, we don’t do fluff, and we definitely don’t do cookie-cutter resolutions.

Instead, we focus on actionable, sustainable change—the kind that helps you step out of the weeds and back into your zone of fierceness. As we step into another year, the allure of new beginnings often tempts us, but through years of navigating the creative and entrepreneurial landscape, we've learned the secret to sustainable success.

It's not about drastic changes; it's about refining our foundations and embracing incremental improvements.

We know you didn’t start your business to waste time on the small stuff. You got into it to create, innovate, and thrive. That’s why we’ve crafted a New Year Checklist that’s all about optimizing your operations and setting yourself up for a year of sustainable growth—without the overwhelm.

Forget the shiny New Year’s resolutions that fade by February. We’re here to help you focus on intentional, small steps that compound into massive results. Think of it as building momentum for your business with clarity, purpose, and—most importantly—confidence.

Evaluate and Update Your Systems

The beginning of the year is the perfect opportunity to review and upgrade the systems that keep your business running smoothly. Start by assessing your tech stack—are you using the most efficient tools for your needs? Consider updating software like ClickUp, Flodesk, or Dubsado to enhance project management, or explore new tools that might better serve your evolving business

Ps. Those links are going to give you a discount if you decide to try them, they are our personal favorites)! If you want to learn more about these platforms we won’t a really indepth blog last year that can help. Read it here.

Actionable Tip: Perform a functionality check on all your systems. If a tool isn't meeting your needs anymore, it might be time to switch. Make sure any transition between systems is smooth to avoid disruptions in your workflow.

Secure Your Digital Life

Security is paramount, yet often overlooked. Start the year right by updating your passwords and enhancing security measures across all platforms. Use tools like LastPass to manage your passwords effectively and ensure all your accounts, from bank to social media, are secure.

Actionable Tip: Schedule a quarterly reminder to update your passwords and review your security settings, ensuring your digital presence is protected against evolving threats.

Review and update your passwords for:

Bank Accounts & Payment Processors: Secure all your financial portals.
Social Media Accounts: Ensure your business's social presence is protected.
Website & Email Marketing Tools: Keep your business communications secure with updated passwords for platforms like Squarespace, WordPress, or your email marketing tools like FloDesk.

Streamline Your Legal and Copyright Essentials

Legal compliance isn't just a necessity—it's a shield against potential pitfalls. Review and update any contracts, copyright notices, and legal documents. This might involve updating the copyright year on your website footer and reviewing terms and conditions to ensure they reflect current practices and laws.

Actionable Tip: Consult with a legal professional to review your documents if significant changes in your business or industry could impact your legal standings.

Set Clear Financial Goals

Clarity in your financial goals sets the tone for a productive year. Ensure your bookkeeping is up to date and set specific, measurable financial targets for the year. Consider implementing tools or services that can help streamline this process, such as automated bookkeeping software or consulting with a financial advisor.

Actionable Tip: Break down your annual financial goals into quarterly targets to make them more manageable and to provide regular checkpoints for assessing progress.

Ps. Tiff stands by the Profit First model to help with financial goals. You can read our blog about Profit first here, or just go buy the book! Future you will thank you.

Conduct a SWOT Analysis

Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats gives you a strategic advantage. A SWOT analysis can help pinpoint areas of your business that need attention and guide your decision-making process throughout the year.

Actionable Tip: Involve your team in the SWOT analysis process to gain diverse insights and foster a collaborative approach to problem-solving.

Prioritize Self-Care and Team Engagement

Remember, the well-being of yourself and your team is crucial. Schedule regular check-ins with your team to ensure they are engaged and satisfied in their roles. Encourage feedback and be proactive in addressing any concerns.

Actionable Tip: Implement regular mental health days off for yourself and your team to recharge and prevent burnout, fostering a healthier, more productive work environment.

Reflect and Adjust Regularly

The key to long-term success is adaptability. Schedule monthly reviews of your business performance against the goals set. This allows you to adjust strategies quickly and stay aligned with your business objectives.

Actionable Tip: Keep a journal or a digital log of your reflections and the outcomes of your adjustments. This record can be invaluable for understanding what works and what doesn’t.

By embracing these strategies, you set a solid foundation for your business to thrive in the new year.

Remember, it's not about overhauling your life in January; it's about making thoughtful adjustments that lead to significant results over time. Here's to a year of growth, creativity, and success!

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The Ultimate New Year Checklist for Creative Entrepreneurs