Yikes!! I can’t believe we’re already half way through January. C’mon 2018 just started. Who wish they were Evie from the show “Out of this World.” It’s a 90’s TV show about a girl that develops powers from her alien father. Well Evie can freeze time. I mean who doesn’t want that super power. Okay, I’m totally off topic, but if you remember the show, send me some love because Andrew (my lovely husband) thinks I’m crazy because he doesn’t remember the show at all.

Let’s get back to what I really wanted to say to you. The thing is you and I don’t have that special power to freeze time. Time still keeps ticking even we don’t even want it to.So here’s how we’re going to grow our business in 2018. It doesn’t matter what point you’re at in your business. Here’s what we need to do:

1. Engage with our audience (followers, clients, and our fellow friends in our industry) when they take the time to send us an email or comment on a post on any of the social media platforms we’re on, we must engage back. It shows them you truly care about them. In the world we’re living in today, people don’t want to spend their money on people or products that doesn’t care about anyone but themselves. Customers are looking for authentic and genuine brands.

2. Opening up. This is the big scary thing no one wants to do. This is what goes through our heads… who wants to hear my stories, I don’t want to be judged, and I’m showing my weaknesses. Sharing your stories helps you build a connection with your audience. Simply makes you real (you know a human) and relatable. 

Warning: There will be haters out there that will say things that are hurtful. You can’t control them what they do, but you can control how you respond to what they say. Like what Taylor Swift says, “Haters are going to hate and the players are going to play.” Letting haters be your show stopper only impedes on your success not theirs.

3. Say no. It’s so easy to say YES to everything and then we have so little time to do the things we need to do for our business to flourish. Saying no gives you more time to focus on your goals. Those who truly want you to thrive will understand and let you do what you gotta do.

Yo! I didn’t want to end here so I’m sharing a bonus tip….

Bonus Tip: Self Care. I think it’s so easy to forget about ourselves when we’re so busy juggling everything around us. Remembering to take breaks to nourish your mind and body so you can show up everyday ready to serve your audience fully and unselfishly.

Together we’ll all flourish,

Sheng