Many college students and prospective entrepreneurs use the start of a new year as an opportunity to set new objectives and evaluate the previous one. And if you’re the type who likes to be prepared, now is the best time to set goals, determine deadlines, and take on new responsibilities.
Aside from all these, it’s also a chance to take stock of your priorities–such as balancing academics with extracurriculars and running a small business. As an entrepreneurial student, it’s important to create plans to prepare for your future and it would also help you have a better idea of what’s to come–and as the old adage goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail”.
New Year’s resolution for aspiring entrepreneurs
Here are ten resolutions every aspiring entrepreneur should make to get off to a strong start in 2023.
1. Improve your time management
To succeed, it is essential for aspiring entrepreneurs to plan the day, set deadlines, and prioritize tasks. Without proper time management skills, it is easy to become overwhelmed and unable to complete tasks. Start by reevaluating your study habits, list down the good and bad traits you have, and from there, set clear and achievable goals for yourself. Remember that consistency is key if you really want to work on your time management.
To avoid academic burnout, you can also try dividing your tasks into smaller chunks and taking scheduled breaks in between tasks. Eliminating distractions while studying can also help you concentrate more when working on assignments or projects. And with these tips, you can also seek the help of productivity apps that aid you in keeping you more focused.
2. Expand your network
As an aspiring entrepreneur, your network of friends and family are equally as important as having the proper capital and resources to start your business. Maintaining and growing healthy relationships gives you a stable support system and access to future business partners.
You can also expand your network by joining online groups, mixers, or Discord channels that cater to your interests. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find your startup team there! By attending networking parties and mixers, you open yourself up to opportunities to meet and collaborate with like-minded individuals who are experienced and knowledgeable in their respective fields. You can access resources and advice that can help you succeed in your venture. Plus, you’re exposed to new ideas and strategies to achieve your goals.
3. Prioritize your health
Focus on your physical health by eating healthier, exercising regularly, and getting adequate rest. Physical well-being is connected to mental and emotional health, and as an aspiring entrepreneur, it’s important to always be in your best condition possible, especially when you’re working on business plans or pitching to investors. More than this, a healthy mind and body lead to more innovations and higher productivity. Indeed, taking care of your health is a direct investment for your future.
4. Know your priorities
Understanding which tasks to prioritize is important for up-and-coming entrepreneurs. It enables you to put your work and energy into the things that will create the most impact for your business instead of wasting time and energy on other things. When you’re constantly being pulled in different directions, it can be easy to lose sight of your goals and waste time on tasks that don’t contribute to your overall success. Start this by putting on paper the following:
- Define what you want to achieve in 2023 – do your 2022 goals need updating? Or will you continue working on it this year?
- Create a strategic plan – think about how you will concretely achieve your goals
- Eliminate distractions – stop doing activities that you think are hindering you from reaching your goals
- Create schedules – have a set routine that will help you in achieving your goals
- Reflect on your progress and adjust as needed – being adaptable to circumstances can mean the survival of your business
By setting clear priorities, you can ensure that you’re always working on the most important things and that your time and energy are being spent in the most effective way possible. Additionally, knowing your priorities can help you to make better decisions, allocate resources where they are needed, and reduce stress and uncertainty when managing a business.
5. Practice leadership through challenges
Aspiring entrepreneurs are more than just entrepreneurs, they’re also leaders. This means that they must be prepared to make difficult decisions, take decisive action, and rise to the occasion, especially in times of great challenges. Most of all, they need to consider their team’s needs, remember to uphold their values, and practice honest communication. Responsible leaders lead with compassion, courage, and confidence in any crisis.
6. Take a rest and take a breather
As much as the hustling and bustling always keep aspiring entrepreneurs afloat, 8 hours of sleep, a liter of water, and an enjoyable weekend with your friends and family should never go away. That’s because taking a break from work gives you a different outlook on things and provides you with fresher ideas or even solutions to problems you’re trying to solve. Beyond all this, it also helps you have a brighter outlook on life.
7. Always seek to learn new things every day
Here’s how to always be five steps ahead of your competition: stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies and learn something new every day. This could be as simple as reading industry blogs or researching the latest marketing strategies. You can also attend conferences, seminars, or webinars. Another way is to take a class on a specific topic or skill, which will also help to develop the knowledge and competencies that you need to succeed. Once the basics have been mastered, find new and innovative ways to apply them. That way, your entrepreneurial skills, and business will always remain relevant and won’t fall behind the times.
8. Give back to the community
Most aspiring entrepreneurs are passionate about creating a positive impact and making a difference in the lives of others. To that end, you may commit to donating time and resources to local charities and organizations. Other than this, you can also look for ways to use your business to create positive change in your community. You can do this by mentoring others to help them reach their goals or providing pro bono services.
9. Stay up to date
As an entrepreneurial student, keeping up to date with the latest business trends is crucial for your success. It can help you to stay competitive and be more successful in your future career. Plus, you can gain insights that will help you to make better decisions and create a more effective business strategy.
On top of that, remaining informed about current market conditions, other competitors, and the expectations of your target market can also help you identify new opportunities that you can dive into. By constantly searching for new opportunities, you’ll be better prepared to take advantage of them when they arise since entrepreneurship is all about finding and seizing opportunities.
10. Start your entrepreneurial journey with CIIT
As an Entrepreneurship student at CIIT, you have the opportunity to achieve your New Year’s resolutions in a supportive and practical environment. CIIT provides a platform for practicing leadership, learning new things, giving back to the community, and expanding your network.
CIIT also provides relevant resources and support to aspiring entrepreneurs through leadership opportunities such as student organizations, mentorship programs, and workshops. These help you to develop your organizational skills to become a confident and effective leader.
For example, the school’s curriculum and extracurricular activities are designed to help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful entrepreneurs while also providing students with access to a community of like-minded individuals, who can offer support, advice, and resources to help you make your business a reality. Being one of the most credible schools in the country for SHS and college students— particularly those looking to specialize in business–CIIT offers the Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, as well as a range of other specialized fields for students who want to become industry leaders in their chosen fields. Discover how you can become a CIITzen today. Check out the coursework here.
