What have YOU Accomplished?

Teal and Creme Rosette Bib

The new year is just around the corner, so it's time to reflect on what's been accomplished over the past 12 months.  I'm not talking about a list of boring stats or sales figures to chart my business's growth because, frankly, that stuff isn't the most important to me (of course it has its importance, it's just not the most important).  What matters to me is that I've been moving forward.  I've learned quite a bit over this year about running my business and I will learn more over the next year and so on. 

Better keywords have led to more items being sold the day they're listed!

I've learned how to better utilize keyword phrases and that lead to more sales and better rankings in search engines and better analytic stats (those stats I do care about) for my shop.  I made my packaging more cohesive and personal thus improving my brand and getting more repeat customers.  I added new elements to my jewelry (sari silk) to expand my skills and my customer audience.  I shoved my shyness aside and was more engaging at craft shows thus improving my local ties and getting more sales.

New hand stamped muslin pouches helps with branding

New packaging for wire designs, so much better than a boring old organza bag

Learning things that help you move forward are much more important than racing to hit high sales numbers.  Once you learn from past mistakes and also discover things that work for you then you'll get more sales anyway so why waste energy staring at numbers or wondering why so and so is making more sales than you?  Set goals that are obtainable and realistic to give yourself something to work towards , challenge yourself to leave your comfort zone and don't forget to reward yourself along the way.  There is no cut and dry success formula that works for everyone so you simply have to figure out your own through experience.  This applies, of course, to more than just business as well.

So what have you accomplished or learned over the past year?