As You Create Your Annual Report
Faris Alami فَارِس ألعَلَمِي
CEO at ISM | Founder of Connecting Dots Globally | Host of Finjan podcast/show, GEW & SG | International Keynote Speaker | Author of several Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Resiliency Books
In December, many of us were busy reflecting on what we did for the year of 2023.
Some of us — on a personal level — faced big challenges, whether it was war, interruption, or family matters.
Despite what you might have faced, when you take a minute to reflect, there’s always a lot to celebrate. It doesn’t mean there aren’t reasons for you to be upset, sad, or unhappy. I’m just saying you will be able to find other reasons and moments for happiness, celebrations and movement towards the future.
No matter how sad things look or how unhappy you are, once you reflect on the year as a whole, there are lots of things to find that you could enjoy or at least take a moment to celebrate.
I’ve mentioned this in other blogs — even during war and sad times, you will find happy moments that allow you to keep going with a glimpse of what could be better in the future.
So as you reflect on 2023 and write your annual report, I encourage you to take a moment to read it, reflect on it, think about what you missed, what could have been better, and what you can do this year to continue and build on what you’ve already done.
Some of you might be thinking it’s time to shift gears. You may want to change your career, business, or direction. I encourage you to look at the past and learn from it.
What I have learned from the past is the awareness that your past does not control your future, but it can help you shape a better future.
If you ignore it completely, you might start from the same place you started the year before, and you might fall into the same traps you fell into in the previous years.
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In the same time, if you let it guide you all the way, you might never take a chance on a mistake you might have made before. My attitude has always been it’s OK to make mistakes — learn from them! But don’t let them stop you from going through the pathway again with a more cautious approach.
BEFORE YOU GO
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Faris Alami is Founder and CEO of International Strategic Management, Inc. (ISM). He works internationally, presenting Exploring Entrepreneurship Workshops and other entrepreneurial ecosystem — related ventures.
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11moWriting my annual report gave me the confirmation that leaving my full-time job in August 2023, was the best decision for me and my family.
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11moI accomplished in 2023 better automation systems, online booking and purchases, improved website with a downloadable brochures, published an Ebook, became a certified minority business, sponsored by a world leading manufacturer to teach a class, selected to lead teams across the states and in London, invested in networking groups, worked on personal development as well as business development, read 16 books, took time out for a vacation and enjoying spending more time my family. I wish I had accomplished hiring a full time assistant after losing the one I had because it made a huge negative impact not making that a priority. I wish I had a better inventory system. I switched computer brands and it became difficult to find the right product the worked on all devices. I wish I had a better workable floor plan for my studio. To reach my goals this year, I have invested in professionals to help me reach my goals and areas I’m weak or have very little knowledge on. Set some realistic goals for yourself and as you reach them, think about what you could do to improve them.Honeybook, Quickbooks, Google Analysis, Facebook, email campaign and manual reviewing goal settings to see what works.